Gifts in Wills

An enduring way of acknowledging your values and accomplishments, while generously supporting the University and becoming part of Curtin’s future achievements.

A gift left in your Will is an expression of your vision for the future. It represents who you are and what you care passionately about.

If you wish to discuss leaving a legacy gift to Curtin University, please contact Emma Matson via emma.matson@curtin.edu.au or call +61 8 9266 5077

The Look Ever Forward Society

“The great University should find its heroes in the present; its hope in the future; it should look ever forward; for the past should be but a preparation for the greater days to be.”

John Curtin, ‘The Views of Labour,’ West Australian. 16 April 1932.

The Look Ever Forward Society was established in 2021 to recognise the generosity and vision of the growing number of staff, alumni and friends who have pledged to support Curtin University through a gift in their Will.

If you pledge a gift in your Will, you will automatically become a member of the Society, which will keep you in close touch with the progress being made at this special university. This includes opportunities to hear first hand from Curtin students, researchers and program coordinators.

Members of the Look Ever Forward Society:

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These drawings by Curtin graduate Andrew Nicholls were especially commissioned for the Gift in Wills Program.
The black cockatoo is an Australian native bird and a familiar sight at Curtin’s Perth campus. In Aboriginal culture, they represent change and enlightenment and herald the coming of rain.

How will your gift make a difference to Curtin?

Bequest stories

Ailsa West

Ailsa West is leaving a gift in her Will to enable high achieving screen arts students in their final year or undertaking postgraduate studies to pursue their dreams.

Nelly Hodges

Curtin graduate Nelly Hodges wants to inspire future generations of medical scientists.

After returning to study as a part time mature aged student at Curtin, Nelly graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Science in 2005. Since then, she has found immense success in her field, working in the laboratories of leading hospitals across the state, most notably as a senior scientist at Perth’s Mount Hospital.

Mary Margaret Durack

Mary Durack generously left two artworks by important Kimberley artists Roy Wiggan and Mervyn Street to the John Curtin Gallery in her Will.

Mary began her working life as a marine biologist, before later completing a degree in Aboriginal Education. She was passionate about diving, snorkelling, bushwalking, indigenous culture and art collecting

How to include Curtin in your Will

If you are thinking of leaving a gift to Curtin, we encourage you to reach out to us to discuss your wishes before you draft or update your Will, especially if you are leaving a gift for a specific purpose or giving an asset, such as an artwork. This will ensure that your wishes can be fulfilled by the University.

To ensure the wording reflects your exact wishes, we recommend you seek legal advice when drafting your Will or amending an existing Will with a codicil. Curtin is unable to provide specific legal advice, however we are happy to refer to a solicitor specialising in wills and estates who offers a discount for Curtin graduates and staff. Please contact our team for further details.

We also encourage you to share your wishes with your loved ones and explain to them why your decision to include Curtin in your Will is important to you. We welcome family members at Look Ever Forward Society events.

Types of bequests

There are four types of Gifts in Wills that you may wish to consider:

Suggested wording for your Will

As mentioned, it is important that you seek appropriate legal advice when making or amending your Will. However, we have provided some suggested wording which you may wish to share with your solicitor.

More bequest stories

A portrait image of the testimonial author

Having benefitted from a free university education in the 1970s, Curtin graduate Helen Potter is committed to helping the next generation of students access the same life-changing opportunities.
Continue reading Helen’s story

Helen Potter

A portrait image of the testimonial author

Jeffery Elliott is giving Carrolup drawings to the John Curtin Gallery in his Will, returning artworks by children of the Stolen Generations to Western Australia after decades in the United States.
Learn more of Jeffery’s story

Jeffery Elliott

In 2001 Paul Andrew Digby Robinson left a generous bequest in his Will to support research into Indigenous education at Curtin. With the help of his friends Walter and Sylvia Hyams, the innovative Noongar Language and Culture course was born.
Learn more about Paul

Paul Andrew Digby Robinson

A portrait image of the testimonial author

Margaret (Margot) Cox, a former librarian at the WA School of Mines, left a donation to Curtin in her Will. Margot forged a close connection with the University while working at the Kalgoorlie campus in the 1970s and was passionate about supporting students.

Margaret Cox

Shelley Pike wants to enable an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person to commence or further their university studies.
Discover more of Shelley’s story

Shelley Pike

How can we help?

Writing or amending your Will and deciding to leave a philanthropic donation is a major decision. It takes time and careful consideration. We hope the information provided here will assist you in the process, however we encourage you to contact us for a confidential conversation about your wishes. When you are ready, our team is here to help.

Jeffery Elliott

Ailsa West

Nelly Hodges

Paul Andrew Digby Robinson

Shelley Pike

Helen Potter

Margaret Cox

Mary Margaret Durack

Untitled by Andrew Nicholls

Jeffery Elliott

Ailsa West

Nelly Hodges

Paul Andrew Digby Robinson

Shelley Pike

Helen Potter

Margaret Cox

Mary Margaret Durack

Untitled by Andrew Nicholls