About the Foundation
Board members of the Foundation are:
- Roger Allen
- The Honourable Peter Baume AC
- James Button
- Sandra Eccles
- Helene Teichmann
- Ian Wavish
Letter from the Chairman – JBLF AGM, 28 April 2010
It is my pleasure to provide these comments on our operations to date at our first annual general meeting.
The John Button Literary Foundation was created following the passing of a great Australian, the Hon John N. Button, on 8 April 2008. Prior to his death John, his partner Joan Grant and his family endorsed the notion of the John Button Prize – a task that commenced promptly with the development of a website, the undertaking of legal matters and the creation of an embryonic and informal board. For this early work in the life of the organisation I thank: Russell and Rudi Yardley for their work on our first website; Maurice Blackburn for its great contribution around matters of incorporation and the gaining of DGR status; and Roger Allen, Chris Leptos AM and James Button as my then colleagues and advisors. James Button established our first judging panel, led by Morag Fraser AM as Chair, with Bob Carr, Professor Judith Brett, Kerry O’Brien and Nobel Laureate J M Coetzee.
The Board of Directors – comprising myself, Roger Allen, the Hon Peter Baume AC, James Button, Chris Leptos AM and Helene Teichmann – was formally established on 29 August 2008. Sandra Eccles joined us on 1 December 2008 and Ian Wavish on 14 January this year. Sarah Mathers joined as Executive Officer in March 2009, and the Melbourne Community Foundation became our administrative base.
The late Richard Pratt AC and Jeanne Pratt AC through the Pratt Foundation generously supported the announcement of the John Button Prize at their home, Raheen, in November 2008. The Prime Minister Hon Kevin Rudd MP accepted our invitation to be Patron, and launched the John Button Prize with Premier John Brumby and Lynne Kosky at Queen’s Hall, Parliament of Victoria on 30 April 2009. Other speakers included Peter Baume and Morag Fraser. Nominations for the inaugural John Button prize were called for shortly afterwards, resulting in just over 100 entries.
On 28 August 2009 the Melbourne Writers’ Festival hosted the announcement by Morag Fraser of Chloe Hooper as the inaugural winner of the John Button Prize for The Tall Man. On behalf of the Board I thank the judging panel for the generous contribution of their valuable time in this endeavour.
Financially there is still much to be done so that the John Button Prize and the Foundation that supports it are sustainable. The Board wishes to achieve a financial base so that the John Button Prize can be awarded in perpetuity. At 31 December 2009 our net assets were $174,000 with pledges in hand for a further $150,000, following donations in our first financial year of $224,760. This generous donor and sponsorship support to date ensures that the John Button Prize can continue for several years, while the funding base is developed to hopefully ensure the perpetuity of the prize. Clearly, a reasonable start resulted from our ambitious beginnings.
The establishment of such ventures can provide challenges; combining initial enthusiasm with the daunting tasks of strategic decision making and fundraising requires commitment. Thus, on behalf of the Board I thank all who have supported our vision with their generosity, both financial and pro bono.
I thank Chris Leptos AM, who retires from our board after the AGM, for his most valued contribution in these initial years; and also my continuing colleagues on the board and our executive officer Sarah Mathers for their ongoing support.
It is much appreciated.
Dr. John O. Miller AO
Chairman,
John Button Literary Foundation Limited.
