The Blair Milan Fund – supporting Theatre/Media students at Charles Sturt University

I have previously posted about the death of my amazing son Blair whose joyful life was suddenly cut short by Acute Myeloid Leukaemia on 17 April. Our family has been overwhelmed with support, well wishes and messages of love.

My family and Blair’s close friends have teamed up with Blair’s old university, Charles Sturt University, to form The Blair Milan Fund and we are seeking help to ensure his legacy will live on for years to come.

Blair graduated as a Bachelor of Arts (Communication –Theatre/Media) at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst with Distinction in 2003 (as did his sister, Lucy, in 2005). As Blair brought passion to everything he did it only seemed right that his passion and enthusiasm for the arts be passed on to future Theatre/Media students. I also want his name to live on though his life was cut short.

The Blair Milan Fund comprises two components:

PART ONE: The Blair Milan Scholarship
A scholarship of $3000 will be awarded annually to one second year Theatre/Media student who exemplifies the generous artistic spirit and attitude of Blair. The student will be carefully selected by the academic staff of the Theatre/Media course with input from Blair’s family and peers. Selection will based on the student’s community involvement, academic and on stage performance as well as goals and motivation. The scholarship aims to encourage students studying Theatre/Media to demonstrate optimism, enthusiasm and a passion for their chosen field.

PART TWO: The Blair Milan Tour
One of the most significant moments in Blair’s early career was performing in the production Death’s Waiting Room. This production was originally produced by Theatre/Media students in their final year who were fortunate enough to secure funding to bring the work to Sydney. Funding from the Blair Milan Tour will give other works the same opportunity by providing financial support for the presentation of the work of final year Theatre/Media students before metropolitan and/or regional communities. An amount of $7,000 will be provided annually to assist the chosen production which will be selected by academic staff of the Theatre/ Media course with input from Blair’s peers and the Milan family. Profits realised from this presentation will be returned to the Blair Milan Touring Fund.

The objective is to raise over $100,000 so that the annual awards can be funded from the income of the Blair Milan Fund in perpetuity. My partner John Caldon and I have undertaken to match dollar for dollar (up to $50,000) the amounts received during the initial fund raising in commemoration of the role played by Blair Milan in our Naked Flame production of Lyndey and Blair’s Taste of Greece which is currently being shown on SBS.

The Fund Raising
The Blair Milan Fund will sit within the Theatre/Media Foundation of the Charles Sturt University. There are no additional administration costs with the creation of this new Fund.
 
Administration
We are currently accepting donations by cheque, bank transfer or credit card. Click here to download a donation form. You will be sent a receipt in order to claim your tax deduction. With your help we will ensure Blair’s legacy continues forever through the work and creativity of new Australian artists.
 
Please give generously.
 
How you can help
Click here to download a donation form.
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