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Australian Communities Foundation was saddened to hear of the recent death of our Co-Founder Marion Webster AM.
Marion was a leading voice in Australian philanthropy, having co-founded Melbourne Community Foundation – now Australian Communities Foundation (ACF) – with Hayden Raysmith AM in 1997.
Marion was recognised for her “significant service to community, to the philanthropic sector, and to women” when she was appointed Member of the Order of Australia in 2023. She was a past Board member and Patron of ACF, and most importantly, a wonderful friend to the organisation she co-founded in her spare bedroom.
Many members of our giving community will remember her deep commitment and passion for social change as well as the vision and grit she and Hayden exhibited through the early years of establishing the Foundation.
“Marion always brought warmth and a sense of inclusion,” said Hayden. “One of her great strengths was collaboration. She enabled others to be part of the journey and share the successes. Marion helped pioneer a new era in Australian philanthropic giving.”
ACF Chair Fiona McLeay said Marion’s legacy will live on as the organisation continues to inspire more giving.
“As Co-Founder, Marion pioneered the community foundation model in Australia. Now, with 40 community foundations across the country, Marion’s impact in democratising giving for Australian communities is clear.”
At the 25th anniversary celebrations of ACF in 2022, Marion remarked: “Hayden and I take great pleasure in seeing the line on the website: ‘Join Australia’s largest community of everyday philanthropists’ because not only has ACF grown, it has also supported and encouraged the growth of other community foundations across the country, all of which have their own communities of support and are working in their local communities to encourage generosity and build greater sustainability.”
Image: Marion Webster AM (centre) with fellow co-founder, Hayden Raysmith AM (right).
Marion’s broader contribution across the sector was remarkable, having been the founding Executive Director of what is now Philanthropy Australia, as well as the founder of numerous civil society organisations such as Auckland Foundation and Kilfinan Australia. She also ran several welfare agencies and sat on numerous sector Boards, including WomenCAN, The Funding Network and Per Capita.
Marion is survived by her husband Michael and children Amelia, Alistair and partner Sulman. They have all been deeply involved with ACF and the for-purpose sector in Australia, and will continue Marion’s legacy through the Webster Fund at ACF and other activities.
We will find an appropriate time to further recognise Marion’s amazing contribution, not only within ACF but with the broader philanthropic community.
