A life well lived creates perpetual giving

Norman Arthur Munnew Findlay could not have imagined his life would have such a profound impact so long after his passing. The Norman Arthur Munnew (NAM) Findlay Trust was created when his second wife, Mrs Doris Findlay passed away. So far, the trust has bequeathed over $6.5 million to more than seven charities. It has the capacity to continue supporting important causes long into the future.

The St. Giles Society is just one of seven charities that receive an annual gift from the trust, with the society receiving around $1 million over the past decade. Every year, St. Giles provides around 3,000 children living with impairment or disability access to the equipment and resources they need to improve their wellbeing.

“These funds have changed lives by bringing opportunities to some of Tasmania’s most marginalised children,” St. Giles’ General Manager of Profile and Engagement Danielle Blewett said. “The money contributes to our organisation’s reputation for innovation and provides quality support for children living with impairment or disability.”

The Abled Kitchen is one initiative the trust has committed to support for the next three years. The disability-friendly kitchen will be used to bake pizza bases, bagels and donuts.

“At the end of three years, with the support of the Findlay Trust, we'll have a café and a bakery business, run by people with a disability, selling commercial quantities of quality products,” Ms Blewett said.

The NAM Findlay Trust has also assisted St. Giles to build therapy gardens and accessible kitchens. It has contributed funds for accessible accommodation to be renovated, and transformed properties into smart homes.

The trust’s funds have helped buy vehicles for St Giles’ outreach services across Northern Tasmania. It has also provided theatre training to young people with disabilities and given kids access to the latest speech pathology technology.

A special Tasmanian

Norman Findlay led a remarkable life. Born in 1896, he enlisted at the age of 22 on 14 March 1916, embarking on 1 July 1916 on the HMAT A35 Berrima to fight in the First World War. He achieved the rank of sergeant in the 40th Australian Infantry Battalion, being mentioned in dispatches on 24 January 1919. Mr Findlay fought on the Western Front and was awarded a British War Medal and a Victory Medal. He returned to Australia on 22 July 1917.*

When he passed away on 14 March 1968, Mr Findlay appointed his second wife, Mrs Doris Findlay as one of his executors and trustees. TPT Wealth was appointed as a trustee in 1991. A discretionary perpetual charitable trust was formed on Mrs Findlay’s death in 1992.

Today, the trust, which has a current value of $6.3 million, supports five charities: The Launceston Girls Home, St Giles Society, St Calvary Health Care, the St Aidan’s Church Building Fund and The Y of Launceston.

Each year, TPT Wealth asks these charities to make a submission for funding. The trustees allocate funding based on available income, the charity’s needs and ongoing and future funding requests.

“TPT Wealth is proud to provide services to the NAM Findlay Trust and so many other charitable trusts,” TPT Wealth General Manager Alan Logan said.

“A charitable trust is a wonderful way to ensure your legacy lives on long after you do and that the causes that are important to you benefit from the wealth you have created during your lifetime.”

Established in 1887, TPT Wealth is authorised under the Trustee Company Act 1953. We have helped scores of families and individuals establish charitable trusts, many of which are perpetual.

We are here to help if you would like to leave a lasting legacy. Please get in touch to understand more about how charitable trusts work and how TPT Wealth can assist to set one up.

*Source: Norman Findlay Dispatch Notices, Launceston Library (Launceston, Tasmania)