The launch of a recently acquired Dorothea Pitcairn portrait at Runnymede provided the opportunity to bring together a group of southern Tasmanian philanthropists.
The Trust recently acquired a portrait of Dorothea Pitcairn (1810-1887) by peripatetic British artist (and Royal Academy exhibitor), Conway Hart c1855 through the Australian Government’s National Cultural Heritage Account which contributed a grant of $35,000. Dorothea Pitcairn was Runnymede’s first chatelaine, a lively diarist and supporter of her husband’s campaigns for Tasmanian legal reform including the abolition of convict transportation (1853) and the achievement of Responsible Government (1856).
On 31 October, National Trust Board member, Harriett England invited a group of philanthropists to Runnymede for a launch of the portrait. We were honoured to have Jane Stewart, a Tasmanian member of the National Cultural Heritage Account panel present at the launch. We understand that Jane gave a strong endorsement of our grant application. The launch was performed by Warwick Oakman, a former National Trust Tasmania Board member and an accredited valuer under the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program. Warwick has supported a range of highly significant additions to the Trust’s collection over the past two decades. Trust Chair, Catherine Walker, was pleased to present Warwick with honorary life membership of National Trust Tasmania.
A schedule of Runnymede projects that would benefit from philanthropy was produced for the evening. By all means contact us if you would like a copy at admin@nationaltrusttas.org.au
Images: Launch of the Dorothea Pitcairn portrait at Runnymede on 31 October 2024
