Lumen Summer 2016 - Flipbook - Page 32
story by Genevieve Sanchez
The spirit of
giving lives on
It’s more than 130 years since Sir Walter Watson
Hughes generously donated funds to help establish the
University of Adelaide – and his three times great-nephew
is delighted in how we are honouring his memory.
G
erard Corsane visited the
University of Adelaide recently
on a quest to find out more about
his family’s history.
He discovered that his famous relative
has been honoured not only with a statue
but also a society bearing his name.
The public spirit and benevolence that
Walter embodied lives on in the Hughes
Bequest Society which is made up of
bequestors who share his vision by
remembering the University in their wills.
“I feel family pride in the legacy that he
left to education,” says Gerard, a senior
lecturer in Heritage and Museum Studies
and the former Dean of International
Business Development and Student
Recruitment at Newcastle University in
the UK. “As a university academic myself,
I am proud of the role he played in
supporting the founding of the
University of Adelaide.
“I am also truly grateful that this role
has been honoured with the statue,
sponsored by his nephews John James
Duncan and Walter Hughes Duncan,
which was erected in 1906, along with
the fact that the Hughes Bequest Society
has been named after him.”
30 Lumen | Summer 2016
The establishment of the Hughes
Bequest Society in 2008 was a major step
in strengthening the relationship between
the University and its benefactors.
One bequestor who is aware of the
impact his gift will have is Peter Routley, who
is retiring as Chair of the Hughes Bequest
Society Committee after seven years in the
role. Peter graduated from the University
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959 and
a Diploma in Primary Education in 1960.
“A bequestor’s legacy has the power
to transform the lives of future generations
of students or it may contribute to new
fields of research,” says Peter.
“Even now, memories of my student days
still give me pleasure. In my subsequent
Above: Gerard Corsane (middle) with members of the
Hughes Bequest Society. From left: Peter Routley
(Chairperson), Marilyn Seidel (Deputy Chairperson),
Merry Wickes, Aileen Connon AM, Gerard Corsane,
Brian Ward, Peggy Barker, Adrienne Lovelock
career as a teacher, it was a privilege to try
to help young people in different countries
to make the best use of their talents.
Society members have shown
enormous gratitude to the University
for the education that helped to shape
their careers. This is not only reflected
in gifts they leave in their wills, but many
also give generously in their lifetime,
supporting areas such as the Barr Smith
Library, Elder Hall, the Augustus Short
Scholarships and many areas of research.
Their donations also go towards
scholarships, fellowships and chairs
which have enabled the University to
attract and retain exceptionally talented
students and staff.
The spirit of the University’s ‘founding
father’ truly lives on.
Making a bequest
When making bequest intentions known to the University you will be invited to join
the Hughes Bequest Society. This gives you the opportunity to meet like-minded
benefactors and see some of the outstanding work being done at the University.
For more information about leaving a bequest to the University visit
www.adelaide.edu.au/give/how/bequests/ or contact Sue Fox
on +61 8 8313 3234 or email development@adelaide.edu.au
