Myer Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Myer Foundation is a major Australian philanthropic organisation.
The Sidney Myer Charitable Trust was established by the will of Sidney Myer
who died in 1934 leaving one tenth of his estate for the benefit of the community. Myer's will was proved at £922,000. The most famous philanthropic funding by the Fund was for the construction of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl
in the Kings Domain, Melbourne in 1958, which is named in his honour.
In 1959, the Trust was renamed The Sidney Myer Fund and Sidney’s sons, Baillieu and Kenneth Myer established the Myer Foundation, with both funds being closely administered. The Foundation and Fund have been supported by three generations of Myer family members. Carrillo Gantner
, grandson of Sidney Myer through Sidney's daughter Neilma Gantner, is chairman of the Fund,
while Martyn Myer, Sidney's grandson through Ken Myer
, is president of the Foundation.
The Foundation makes "grants across Australia for general charitable purposes in accordance with [its] vision to improve peoples’ lives in lasting and positive ways". The Foundation's large grants program gives support in five categories: the Arts and Humanities; Australia in the Asia-Pacific Region; Education; Poverty and Disadvantage; Sustainability and the Environment.
The Sidney Myer Charitable Trust was established by the will of Sidney Myer
Sidney Myer
Sidney Baevski Myer was a Russian Australian businessman and philanthropist, best known for creating Myer, Australia's largest chain of department stores.-Early life:...
who died in 1934 leaving one tenth of his estate for the benefit of the community. Myer's will was proved at £922,000. The most famous philanthropic funding by the Fund was for the construction of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Sidney Myer Music Bowl
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is an outdoor performance venue in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is located in the lawns and gardens of Kings Domain, close to the Arts Centre and the Southbank entertainment precinct...
in the Kings Domain, Melbourne in 1958, which is named in his honour.
In 1959, the Trust was renamed The Sidney Myer Fund and Sidney’s sons, Baillieu and Kenneth Myer established the Myer Foundation, with both funds being closely administered. The Foundation and Fund have been supported by three generations of Myer family members. Carrillo Gantner
Carrillo Gantner
Carrillo Gantner AO is a highly respected Victorian cultural leader and philanthropist. He was born in San Francisco, California, in 1943, the son of Neilma Gantner with Villajo Gantner, and grand-son of Merlyn and Sidney Myer, founder of the Myer retail chain. His most well known achievement lies...
, grandson of Sidney Myer through Sidney's daughter Neilma Gantner, is chairman of the Fund,
while Martyn Myer, Sidney's grandson through Ken Myer
Ken Myer
Kenneth Baillieu Myer AC DSC was an American-born Australian patron of the arts, humanities and sciences; diplomat; administrator; businessman; and philanthropist...
, is president of the Foundation.
The Foundation makes "grants across Australia for general charitable purposes in accordance with [its] vision to improve peoples’ lives in lasting and positive ways". The Foundation's large grants program gives support in five categories: the Arts and Humanities; Australia in the Asia-Pacific Region; Education; Poverty and Disadvantage; Sustainability and the Environment.