Steve Vizard - Philanthropic Activities

Philanthropic Activities

In 1991, Vizard and his family founded the Vizard Foundation, which established Vizard House, a refuge for people in need.

Since its establishment in 1991, Vizard House has provided over 20,000 room nights free accommodation for needy people visiting inner Melbourne hospitals.

From 1992 to 2002, the Foundation worked with the The Ian Potter Museum of Art, University of Melbourne to support Australian artists. The collection of Australian art is permanently housed at the University of Melbourne. On 27 April 1994, the Vizard Foundation purchased 45 antiquities from an auction held by Christie's of London. These items are on permanent loan to the Ian Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne.

In 1991, Vizard purchased from Lord Alistair McAlpine the iconic Australian painting First Class Marksman by Sidney Nolan, the only painting of the original 1945 Ned Kelly Series not owned and on public display in the National Gallery of Australia. Vizard donated the painting to the Vizard Foundation and the painting was on public display in the National Gallery of Victoria. In 2010, the Vizard Foundation sold the work for an Australian record of $5.4 million and committed the proceeds for charitable purposes, including indigenous scholarships.

In 1997, Vizard was a founding trustee with Walter Mikac of the Alannah and Madeleine Foundation, to assist in education against violence to children.

In 1997, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia, for service to the community, particularly through the Vizard Foundation, and to the arts. In 2008, three years after settling the civil legal proceedings with ASIC, Vizard voluntarily handed back his membership of the Order of Australia.

In 2002, he received the Australian Father Of The Year award.

In 2004 Vizard was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Deakin University Australia.