Established in 1984, The Lauriston Foundation was Melbourne’s first instituted in a girls’ independent school, with the immediate aim of raising $800,000 for a swimming pool complex. The inaugural Board comprised Grahme Dixon (Chairman), Claude Ullin AM (Deputy Chair), Ruth Tideman AM (School Principal), John Calvert-Jones AM, Evelyn Danos, Ian Goodwin, and two representatives from each of the different Foundation membership levels. 

In the years since, the Foundation has helped build Lauriston’s reputation as a leading girls’ school within Australia and internationally, galvanised community engagement and created lasting connections for current and past parents, staff and alumnae.  

The operation of the Foundation within the Advancement Office at Lauriston is funded by the School. 

The Foundation is governed by a board of trustees, composed of the President, and members elected by membership category. It meets every 12 weeks and holds an AGM in May. 

The board’s charter is to oversee appropriate and accountable management of funds held by the Lauriston Foundation and ensure all matters of governance are adhered to. 

Elise Gillespie – President, The Lauriston Foundation Inc. 

Jenny Ullmer  - Vice Chair 

Tom O'Brien - Treasurer 

Dr Mark Roberts - FOL Ex Committee 

Claudette Leeming - Chair & Old Lauristonians' Association Representative 

Jane Freemantle OAM 

Caroline Sladen 

Runying (Cherry) Zhao 

Susan Just - Principal 

Catherine Tan - Business Manager 

Penny Richards Fowler - Director of Advancement 

Membership of the Foundation is achieved by making a Gift of $5,000 or more (or a number of gifts) to an Approved Fund.  

A gift can be in cash or any other item of value as determined by the Foundation (for example, shares or property) and can be pledged over a period of up to five years. 
 
The Lauriston Foundation organises a number of different Foundation member-only events throughout the course of the year and offers six tiers of Membership: 

$5,000 – $9,999 (Fellow) 

$10,000 – $24,999 (Trustee) 

$25,000 – $49,999 (Governor) 

$50,000 – $99,999 (Founder) 

$100,000 – $249,999 (Patron) 

$250,000 or greater (Huntingtower Circle) 

Read the latest Lauriston Foundation Annual Report. Other reports and documents can be found on the Publications page.