Ullmer Family Foundation announces philanthropic gift to support development of new sports facilities
Thursday, 24 June 2021

In May Lauriston shared news of a wonderful gift in support of the current building project.

The Ullmer Family Foundation has shown its commitment to girls’ education and Lauriston by making a significant gift in support of the new Sports, Health and Wellbeing Centre.

Principal Susan Just and School Council Chair Rick Ball welcomed the family’s philanthropic contribution. In recognition of their support through this wonderful gift, the School Council has resolved to name the new Centre the Ullmer Sports and Wellbeing Centre.

The Ullmer family has a long history with Lauriston across multiple generations.
 
                       Jenny Ullmer (Chu, 1999) and husband William currently have three girls at Lauriston - Victoria (Grade 5), Elizabeth (Grade 4) and Charlotte (4yo Kinder), and their fourth daughter Catherine will commence in 3yo Kinder shortly.
 
Jane Ullmer (1997) attended Lauriston through to the completion of Year 9, leaving only due to the family’s relocation to Sydney. Jane is a doctor working in Public Health and lives in New Zealand with her three daughters, Madeleine, Lucy and Annabelle. Her connection with Lauriston remains strong through the lifelong friendships she made during her school years.                     
 
                         Jenny and Michael Ullmer AO joined the Lauriston community in 1985 when Jane commenced in Prep. Michael served as Treasurer of the School Council for two years after having previously sat on the Lauriston Foundation Board from 1989 to 1991.  

Speaking on behalf of the family, Jenny (Chu, 1999) said, “The Ullmer Family Foundation is excited to announce its first major gift focused on girls’ education in support of the Ullmer Sports and Wellbeing Centre. The Foundation is proud of its commitment to youth education, classical music and arts programs for communities that have lower levels of access and participation. This gift helps to address the inequality in funding and participation rates in girls’ sports as compared to boys. We also welcome that the facility will be made available to the broader community”.

Principal Just warmly welcomed the family’s support. “We greatly appreciate the Ullmer family’s philanthropic leadership which will help deliver this new facility and enable girls of all ages and abilities to engage in a broader range of sports, health and wellbeing activities. We hope that their gift will inspire others in our community to make a gift in support of these vital facilities.”