Tim and Gina Fairfax support children's passion for Australian history and museums
Leading Australian philanthropists Mr Tim Fairfax AC and Mrs Gina Fairfax have supported the development of a new dedicated children's play and education space at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, which will open in October 2021. In recognition of this major gift, the space will be named the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre.
In the latest example of philanthropic support for the Australian arts and cultural sector, the Fairfaxes have supported the development of a groundbreaking new curated learn and play space, where children and families can discover Australian history through storytelling and play, building a lifelong love of museums in the process.
National Museum Director Dr Mathew Trinca AM thanked Tim and Gina Fairfax for their generosity.
'The new Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre will encapsulate the National Museum's vision to engage children of all ages in Australia's remarkable story and to foster understanding and curiosity through engagement and play,' said Dr Trinca.
'The launch of this centre in 2021 would not have been possible without the generous support of Tim and Gina Fairfax and we thank them for their advocacy of this project and the Museum.
'After the challenging times we have faced as a nation, it is fantastic and humbling to receive such a public endorsement of the value of the arts and cultural sector to all Australians.'
Mr Tim Fairfax AC and Mrs Gina Fairfax said they are delighted to support the new Discovery Centre.
'This new centre will inspire and engage children of all ages providing interactive educational play onsite and facilities to reach regional and remote communities,' said Mr and Mrs Fairfax.
The National Museum is grateful for the support it has received from Australia's philanthropic and business sector. This support enables the Museum to realise its vision: to bring to life through objects, exhibitions and programming, the stories of a nation and its peoples.
In October 2020, the Museum launched its Australian Defining Moments Digital Classroom taking Australian history into classrooms across the country, which was made possible by the generous $1.5-million donation by John Gandel AC and Pauline Gandel AC.
In September 2020, the Museum received a $7-million donation of thousands of objects of historical and cultural significance from the Trevor Kennedy Collection, as well as purchasing an additional $8-million worth of items of Australian historical and decorative arts from the collection. These objects will become a part of the National Historical Collection (NHC) for all Australians to enjoy.
