Along with several others who were engaged with philanthropy in Melbourne – Jill Reichstein, Michael Liffman and Winsome McCaughey – Darvell went to Canada to attend the first world congress on philanthropy. He returned to Melbourne inspired. “I could see what scope and growth could be achieved by strategic philanthropy if one is given a span of years,” he recalled.
One of Darvell’s ideas was to make HMS Trust independent with its own office, and for it to become – as he described it – “her own boss”. In 1987, he retired from the accounting firm and devoted his considerable energy to establishing the trust’s first autonomous public office, making it an independent entity and helping establish its profile as a benefactor. On the trust’s 50 anniversary in 2001, Darvell announced a name change, to the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust to reflect the source of benefaction in Helen’s own name.
Fellow philanthropist Sir Andrew Grimwade had no doubt about the impact Darvell had on the trust, taking it “by the scruff of the neck full time, moulding it into a formidable organisation, boasting a small group of exceptional trustees and staff”.
The overall impact was to not only expand philanthropy in Australia but also to grow its professionalism. It was, by any measure, a far-sighted contribution. And, it was an approach Darvell applied to several causes and organisations.
When chairman of Philanthropy Australia Alan Schwartz conferred Darvell’s life membership, he said: “Darvell’s leadership and reach in the philanthropic sector have been wide and significant over the years through his many chairmanships, and his trustee and director roles at numerous trusts, foundations and businesses.” In turn, Darvell was a vocal and generous supporter of the peak body over many years.
Darvell had been trustee and treasurer of the National Gallery of Victoria, vice-president of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund, director of the Macpherson Smith Rural Foundation Ltd (now Youthrive Victoria) and the National Institute of Circus Arts, and a member of the Patrons’ Council of Royal District Nursing Service. He was also a trustee of the L.E.W. Carty Charitable Fund and most recently a director of the Brian M Davis Charitable Foundation.
In 2014, in recognition of Darvell’s contribution, the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust established the Hutchinson Indigenous Fellowship, a perpetual gift supporting 12-month residences for Victorian Indigenous artists at the University of Melbourne.
Darvell was trustee of the John Villiers Trust in Queensland for 17 years, retiring in 2019 after working assiduously to realise the lasting legacy of his former client John Villiers. In keeping with Darvell’s rare mix of business nous, endless curiosity and a deep empathy, the trust’s assets grew from $6.75 million in 2002 to more than $24 million by 2019, with more than $9 million distributed in grants. One of Darvell’s most significant achievements was to help the trust become a public ancillary fund that enabled it to help others leverage their generosity for rural, regional and remote Queensland.
There was always a refreshing – and often inspiring – candour about Darvell’s approach to philanthropy. He wanted to see risk-taking in philanthropy, for the boundaries to be challenged, rather than opting for safe choices. And, he saw great opportunities for grant giving, especially with more collaboration.
“I think we have come to a level in philanthropy where there just has to be far more collaboration and partnership, because our individual purses will never be able to aspire to achieve the significant social impacts that can be leveraged out of working together,” he said some years ago.
He was honoured for his service to the community as a Member of the Order of Australia in 1994. And Monash University conferred upon him the degree of doctor of laws honoris causa for his contribution to the Victorian community and “to Melbourne’s role as the major centre of philanthropy in Australia.” Central Queensland University Council bestowed an honorary degree of doctor of the university in 2016, for “contributions to the philanthropic sector and various organisations including the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, Philanthropy Australia and the John Villiers Trust”.
Darvell had modest expectations of how he wished to be remembered. “I’d like to feel that I have made a small footprint on Australia’s emerging philanthropic sector, by having been involved across many philanthropic entities and by having an active involvement as a trustee on the other side of the table, for numerous service charities and public authorities such as the National Gallery of Victoria, the Asthma Foundation of Victoria and the Fairfield Hospital,” he said.
Others were more complimentary and saw behind the achievements, the application of that most rare of virtues – commitment and common sense. As one of the nation’s finest historians Geoffrey Blainey AC noted: “All honour to Darvell Hutchinson. I can think of no other Australian who has given so many years to guiding a philanthropic trust and guiding it so effectively. He possesses a special quality, sheer good sense. How you will miss him.”
Darvell is survived by his wife Barbara, three children and extended family.
Nick Richardson is a writer at Philanthropy Australia.
Philanthropy pioneer: passion, vision and good sense
Source: Philippines Alive
