Long time AYO supporters Mary Vallentine AO and Peter Weiss AM have both been honoured at the 2011 Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) Awards. Mary, the Chair of the AYO Board for the past five years, received the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Arts Business Leadership Award while Peter received the Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Leadership Award.
AbaF aims to foster relationships between the business and arts communities and increase private sector support for the arts in Australia. Their annual awards recognise the most successful national collaborations.
At the awards in Perth earlier this month, Mary highlighted the importance of private and corporate support for the arts. ‘It’s an investment in the country and an investment in the creativity of the country’ she said. She also accepted the Philanthropy Leadership Award on behalf of Peter Weiss.
An alumnus from the 1952 and 1953 National Music Camps, Peter has established two AYO scholarships, including the Peter Weiss Cello Scholarship, which allows an outstanding cellist to participate in both seasons of the Australian Youth Orchestra and National Music Camp. He has a high profile as a philanthropist and this award is a fitting acknowledgment of his national leadership in this area.
The AYO congratulates both Mary and Peter on their most deserved awards.
