Established in 1977, the St Paul’s College Foundation exists to secure the long-term future of the College. It does so through a simple but powerful principle: gifts are invested in perpetuity, and only the generated income is used to support the life of the College.
Today, the Foundation sits at the heart of St Paul’s—supporting scholarships, maintaining heritage buildings, and strengthening the facilities that underpin the College experience.
Every generation benefits from those who came before. The Foundation ensures that this continuity endures.
From its earliest days, the College aspired to a lasting endowment. Sir Alfred Stephen envisaged a fund that would support “all the paraphernalia of intellectual enterprise”—scholarships, teaching, and the broader life of a university community.
That vision proved difficult to realise. Economic downturns, war, and shifting priorities delayed progress for more than a century.
It was not until the 1970s that a group of committed Old Paulines—led by Lloyd Waddy, Robert Albert and John Lehane—brought the idea to life. With the support of fellow alumni and careful stewardship, the Foundation was formally established in June 1977 as a perpetual endowment.
The Foundation is structured to preserve and grow its capital over time.
This model ensures that each gift—regardless of size—contributes to a permanent and growing source of support for the College.
The Foundation’s income is directed to two central priorities:
The Foundation enables a significant proportion of scholarships at St Paul’s, supporting students of ability and promise, including those for whom financial circumstances would otherwise make residence at College impossible.
The Foundation also supports the conservation of the College’s historic buildings and contributes to the development of modern facilities—ensuring that the College remains both architecturally significant and fit for contemporary student life.
Annual grants approaching
in 2026
Ongoing investment in
The Foundation funds over
of scholarships at College
Every gift contributes to a permanent endowment that will support
St Paul’s College for generations to come.
The strength of the Foundation lies not only in major gifts, but in the steady generosity of many.
Through regular appeals, Old Paulines, parents and friends contribute in ways that are meaningful to them. All these contributions form a lasting legacy—one that supports future generations of students.
With privilege comes the responsibility to give back. The Foundation provides a clear and enduring way to do so.
Bequests have played a defining role in the growth of the Foundation.
Many of the most significant contributions to the endowment have come from those who chose to remember the College in their will—ensuring that their connection to St Paul’s continues beyond their lifetime. A bequest, of any size, strengthens the Foundation’s ability to provide scholarships and maintain the College for future generations. It is one of the most enduring ways to support the College.
Those considering a bequest are encouraged to contact the College to discuss the most appropriate way to give.
The Foundation’s work is guided by a dedicated Board responsible for stewardship of the endowment and leadership of its fundraising efforts.
Mr Geoff Lovell (Chair)
Dr Andrew Blattman (Vice Chair)
Mrs Lillian Armitage
Mr Paul Hennessy
Mrs Anna Joyce
Mr Neville Menlove
Mr Michael Reid OAM
Mr Justin Talbot-Stern
Mr Scott Wharton
Every gift contributes to a permanent endowment that will support
St Paul’s College for generations to come.
