Giving Program
Our donors help Brisbane Festival soar. Brisbane Festival donors play an integral part in sustaining the vibrancy and vitality of Brisbane’s cultural life. They lead the way in arts philanthropy, strengthening the city’s position as a thriving artistic hub of creativity. Guided by our dedicated Giving Committee, philanthropy continues to flourish with a passionate group of donors backing the success of Brisbane Festival 2025.
Brisbane Festival’s Next Gen Committee is making a meaningful impact on the future of philanthropy. Launched in 2024, this exciting initiative welcomed a group of exceptional emerging philanthropists into the festival family. Over the past year they have actively championed the Giving Program, reaching out through their networks to inspire and engage a new generation of young donors. With energy, insight and fresh perspectives, the Next Gen Committee is shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for giving at Brisbane Festival.
The Giving Program allows Brisbane Festival to deliver artistic experiences of scale and ambition from artists and to keep those opportunities accessible for all. By staging free events and keeping ticket prices low, our donors dissolve barriers while helping Brisbane Festival artists dream big.
If you would like to become involved with the Giving Program by making a donation to Brisbane Festival, please contact Director of Partnerships and Philanthropy Fabienne Cooke via philanthropy@brisbanefestival.com.au.
All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible and Brisbane Festival will send you a tax receipt.
From our Donors
“To see a show get commissioned, come to life, and then performed live and see the enjoyment it brings so many people, you can’t help but want to do more and more every year.”
Courtney Talbot, Giving Committee Deputy Chair
“I believe so emphatically in the value of the arts. It allows the artistic direction to be much bolder, and to put on great shows which would otherwise be unaffordable.”
Philip Bacon AO, Board Director Chair and Giving Commitee Member
“I really feel I am fulfilling a lot of my philanthropic goals by supporting the arts and seeing Brisbane evolve as a city.”
Virginia Bishop, Donor
2025 Donor Acknowledgements
A heartfelt thank you to our generous donors for supporting Brisbane Festival 2025.
Game Changers
Tim Fairfax AC and Gina Fairfax AC
Haymans Electrical
Carolyn Vincent - Ubuntu Foundation
Community Ambassadors
Philip Bacon AO
Ian and Cass George
Shaun and Suzanne Kenny
Paul, Susan and Kate Taylor
Wilson Foundation
Festival Ambassadors
Liz Pidgeon and Graeme Wikman
High Commissioners
Anonymous
Justice Thomas Bradley and Dr Matthew Yoong
Frazer Family Foundation
Gallus Partners
Simon and Prue George
Harding Philanthropy
John and Rhonda Hawkins
Cate Heyworth-Smith KC and Dr Ben Duke
Dr Susan and Andrew King - ASHER Capital
Simon and Nicole Morrison
Kevin and Laura Perkins
Ben and Fiona Poschelk
Shepherd Family Foundation
Siganto Foundation
Jodie Siganto
Courtney Talbot
Michele and Michael Taylor
Creative Champions
Anonymous x 2
Andrew Baker and Louisa Taliacos
John and Regina Cotter
Judith Cush
Michael Hodge
Kim Hodge
John and Holly Livingstone
Russell Mann and Margot McLay
Vicki and Tom McGuire
Ray White Collective
Phillip, Marisa and Bella Vecchio
Simon White and Chanelle Simpson
The Commissioners
Antoinette Aquilina and Gary Hutchins
Louise Bezzina
Virginia Bishop
Nicki and Alan Cadd
Kim and Luke Challenor
Marshall and Fabienne Cooke
Heidi and James Cooper
Sheryl Cornack
Louise and Robert Corrigan
Tim and Cheryl Courtice
Charlie and Alicia Cush
Christine and Ted Dauber
Tamara and Jack Fahy
Deidre P Grace
Amanda and Jeff Griffin
Dr Neal Harvey
Tai Harvey
Valmay Hill and Russell Mitchell
Drs Elizabeth Hodge and Daniel Hagley
Susan Learmonth and Bernard Curran
David Lyons
Libby Mackay
Annie and Stuart Macnaughton
Brendon Mann and Brendan Smith
Amanda Newbery
The Hon Anthe Philippides
Dare and Andrea Power
Anna Reynolds and Ian O'Connor
Dr Kieran Rowe and Suzie Rowe
Alison Smith
Paul Spiro
The Consultancy Bureau Pty Ltd
Jenny Usher and Peter Good
PJ Wolff and PJ Wolff
Tony and Linda Young
Sarah Zeljko
The Independents
Anonymous
Melissa Brown
Cathi Collier and Stephen Larosa
Ingrid Costello
Bertie Cush
Tilly Cush
Harley and Prue Dalton - Altor Capital Pty Ltd
Nick and Marie Dore
Sonia
Ashleigh Mansfield
Brisbane Tax Services Pty Ltd - Olivia Michail
Sally Mitchell
Ross Molloy and Cath Nicholson
Naomi Murphy
Tim and Katie Pack
Lois Penney and Stuart Birkbeck
Niki Schomberg
Andrea and Craig Templeman
Ewen and Tina Thompson
David and Judy Usher
Bruce and Jocelyn Wolfe
BFFs
Mike Adams
Ethan Butler and Alissa Bermingham
Pam Buchanan
Feena Callinan
Mary Dickinson
Michael Fairbairn
Connor Gass
Isabella Gass
Zoe Graham
Xanthe Lowe-Brown
Michael Morris
Punjab
Susan Street AO
Neil and Delcey Waterer
Jolie Went
Aelia Zawilska
Giving Circles
Ian and Cass George’s GEMS Syndicate
Philip Bacon AO
Christine and Ted Dauber
Ian and Cass George
Simon and Prue George
John and Rhonda Hawkins
Vicki and Tom McGuire
Kevin and Laura Perkins
Liz Pidgeon and Graeme Wikman
24K Wealth Gatsby Syndicate
Cathi Collier and Stephen Larosa
Tim and Cheryl Courtice
Annie and Stuart Macnaughton
Russell Mann and Margot McLay
Sally Mitchell
Neil and Delcey Waterer
Next Gen Syndicate
Ethan Butler and Alissa Bermingham
Michael Fairbairn
Xanthe Lowe-Brown
Ashleigh Mansfield
Lois Penney and Stuart Birkbeck
Niki Schomberg
Jolie Went
Donate
All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible and Brisbane Festival will send you a tax receipt.