Honouring a great patron of the arts in the Tweed

21 December 2020

Doug Anthony AC CH leaves a huge legacy of support for the arts

Tweed Regional Gallery Director Susi Muddiman OAM has honoured the legacy left by Doug Anthony AC CH, who passed away yesterday in his beloved hometown of Murwillumbah.

“Doug was a wonderful supporter of the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre,” Ms Muddiman said.

“With his wife Margot, Doug was an enthusiastic participant in so many of the Gallery’s programs, attending public events and delighting visitors with his frequent visits to the Gallery.

“His passionate support of the arts in Australia was displayed strongly in the Tweed, and especially so through his extraordinary generosity towards the development of the Gallery.

“Doug and Margot’s donation of land from their farm - the spectacular site where the Gallery is now situated - will forever shine as the ongoing legacy of Doug’s extraordinary commitment to enriching the lives of so many Australians. He will be greatly missed,” she said.

“On a personal level, Doug was an incredible support to me, especially in the early years of my Directorship of the Gallery.

“Serving on the Board of Directors of the Gallery’s Foundation, his knowledge, experience and sense of mischief was extremely beneficial to me. I owe so much to him and will be forever grateful for his guidance and encouragement to expand the Gallery and develop our programs,” she said.

Tweed Regional Gallery Foundation president Warren Polglase OAM said Mr Anthony left a huge legacy in the arts on the Tweed.

“On behalf of the Board of the Tweed Regional Gallery Foundation I extend our sympathy to Margot, as well as Doug’s family and friends at this sad time,” Mr Polglase said.

“Doug was a valuable member of the Foundation and had served on the Board. He was a passionate supporter of the arts in the Tweed and the success of the Gallery is in a large part due to the generosity and foresight of Doug and Margot Anthony.”

Mr Anthony is honoured at the Gallery with his name inscribed in the Line in the Land Walkway, which opened in 2018 and provides universal public access and seating to the western side of the gallery.

An exhibition space at the Gallery is also named in Doug and Margot’s hnour – the Anthony Gallery.

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Caption: Doug Anthony AC CH pictured with Margaret Olley at the official opening of Stage 2 of the Tweed Regional Gallery in 2006.