About Us

 

The James and Diana Ramsay Foundation was established in 2008 as a Private Ancillary Fund by Diana Ramsay AO.

About us

The aim of the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation is to continue to foster excellence in the arts and medical research and to support programs for youth, who through personal circumstances will benefit from empowerment to build strong foundations for life.

Through solid partnerships we will work with relevant organisations to assist them to deliver their significant impact, effectiveness and sustainability.

Our Mission

In the arts the Foundation is committed to supporting high quality arts programs to encourage a robust arts sector and increase its accessibility.

In the medical field the Foundation is committed to supporting and advancing medical research, scholarships and education.

The Foundation will support programs for youth at risk to help empower young people to build strong foundations for life, as well as offering life-changing educational opportunities.

The James and Diana Ramsay Foundation aims to provide effective grant making decisions through long-term, trust based relationships to ensure strengthened organisations and services to the community. We aim to clearly communicate our expectations, hopes and visions with our funding partners.

Funding

Funding can only be granted to organisations that have DGR Item 1 status as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR1) and also have Tax Concession Charity status (TCC) under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. Our emphasis is on providing meaningful contributions to a small number of eligible organisations (predominantly South Australian based). 

If you have a question about applying for funding, please call the Foundation  office in the first instance. 

Our People

Founder

Diana Ramsay AO (1926-2017)
Founder

Diana May Ramsay AO was born in 1926 and was a member of the well-known South Australian Hamilton wine-making family. Diana studied social science at the University of Adelaide and enjoyed a career in social work, she moved to Sydney in 1955 working in various hospitals. She settled in Adelaide again in 1963 with her husband James whom she married in 1960 and continued her career as a social worker at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Her occupation as a social worker further instilled a passion for helping people.

Diana loved playing hockey and was a member of the South Australian State Women’s Hockey team from 1945-47. Later she become a very keen golfer and was an active member of the Royal Sydney and Royal Adelaide golf clubs.

Diana and James were great admirers and benefactors to the performing and visual arts and spent much of their time in Galleries, at Ballet and Opera performances. They were also very generous in providing funds for medical scholarships as well as supporting young people at risk.

James Stewart Ramsay AO (1923–1996) grew up in Launceston, Tasmania, son of pioneering surgeon Sir John Ramsay CBE and Lady Ramsay. The Ramsay name is also synonymous with the famous KIWI boot polish company which was founded by James’ uncle William Ramsay, James is also the nephew of the famous artist Hugh Ramsay.

James attended Scotch College in Launceston and later Geelong College in Melbourne. James applied to become a soldier in the Australian Military forces during World War II. Whilst ill health prevented him from serving on the frontline, he was a well-respected finance officer within the Military forces. After a very happy and accomplished life, James lost his battle with cancer in 1996.

Diana was extremely proud to be the Founder of the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation which was launched in December 2009. Diana passed away peacefully in August 2017.

Board of Directors

Nicholas Ross
Chairman

Is Chairman of the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation and is a Director of two other charitable foundations and a private college foundation. He is a founding partner and Managing Director of Knightsbridge Wealth Management. Prior to founding Knightsbridge in 2012, Nicholas spent 8 years in Sydney working as an institutional investment analyst for two international investment firms and then held the position of Manager and Senior Advisor for Ord Minnett Limited’s Adelaide office for 15 years.

Nicholas holds an Economics degree from the University of Adelaide and has a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investments, Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning from FINSIA and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Tim Edwards, MBBS, MS, FRACS, FAICD
Director

Tim Edwards is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with 32 years experience as a medical practitioner, the last 22 years as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon. Having established Adelaide Plastic Surgery (APS) as one of the largest private surgical practices in Australia, Tim’s career and commercial interests have further expanded to include directorships in health services, and the food industry.

Tim is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has experience in the philanthropic sector, as a former board member of the State Library Foundation as well as the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation.

Richard Jasek
Director

Richard Jasek was born in Prague, the son of a recognised concert violinist. The family escaped communist Czechoslovakia in the mid-sixties, and at the age of nineteen Richard was accepted into the prestigious Fulltime Program of the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS), where he majored in Direction. Since then he has become one of Australia’s best regarded Producer/Directors, with work ranging across television specials, documentary, teaching, and many of Australia’s most popular mainstream television dramas.

The nephew of Diana Ramsay, Richard has served on the board of the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation since 2014.

Melissa Yule
Director

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Adelaide and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of South Australia. She practises in the area of wills, estates and trusts law at Adelaide law firm Adelta Legal. Melissa is one of the founding directors of the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation.

Executive Director

Kerry de Lorme
Executive Director

Kerry has been with the Foundation since 2009 and prior to that held positions as an Arts Administrator and Head of Benefaction at The Art Gallery of South Australia for over a decade. She is a Not-for-Profit Board Member as well as being one of the Founding members of Impact100 SA (a collective giving circle to provide a large impact grant). Kerry is also very active in the Adelaide philanthropic sector and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Staff

Kiah Elsworthy
Grants Manager

Kiah has experience in the non for profit sector through her involvement in corporate and community fundraising. As an active volunteer, she has served on a fundraising committee as chair, secretary and committee member for the past six years. She has extensive experience in the travel industry, where she continues to work part-time. Kiah has been with the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation since 2018. 

 

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