Farrer School Foundation:
Creating Legacies, Building Brighter Futures

The Farrer School Foundation was born from a simple yet powerful belief: that every young man deserves the chance to thrive, no matter where he comes from or what challenges his family may face.

Since its establishment in 2007, the Foundation has been dedicated to supporting the students and community of Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, nestled in Calala on the outskirts of Tamworth, NSW. As one of just three public boarding schools in New South Wales, Farrer holds a special place in regional education. It’s home to over 600 students, half of whom live on-site as boarders, many from remote and rural communities.

Farrer is more than just a school. It's a home. A farm. A place of belonging and growth. With a proud legacy in agricultural education, the school offers hands-on experience through its Angus cattle stud, White Suffolk and Merino sheep, poultry, dairy, piggery, and horticulture facilities - shaping future farmers, leaders, and changemakers.

But behind every Farrer boy is a story and for many, that story includes overcoming the harsh realities of life on the land: droughts, bushfires, and financial strain. These hardships should never be a barrier to opportunity. That’s why the Farrer School Foundation exists.

Together, we lift the burden. Together, we create brighter futures.

Through the generosity of donors and supporters, the Farrer School Foundation provides:

• Scholarships and bursaries to open doors for boarding students in need
  
• Upgrades to boarding facilities, ensuring comfort and quality
  
• Resources for learning, sport, and wellbeing
  
• Investment in long-term capital improvements to keep Farrer at the forefront of rural education.
  

Every donation – large or small – creates a ripple effect. It shapes not only the boy who benefits today but the man he becomes tomorrow. A man of character. Of confidence. Of community. A man who will then invest in his community, ready to lead, support, and give back.

When you support the Farrer School Foundation, you don’t just donate. You become part of a living legacy – one that stretches across generations and changes lives forever.

Join us in building brighter futures. One boy. One story. One legacy at a time

ABN: 95 395 714 612

VIEW: FARRER CONSTITUTION  VIEW: FARRER CONSTITUTION 

The Farrer School Foundation manages four funds, three of which are Australian Taxation office approved Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) funds, being;

Farrer School Scholarship Fund

Purpose as defined in the Constitution: ....solely for providing money for scholarships, bursaries or prizes that promote education to be used by
FMAHS which is a distinct fund established under division 30-25(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) (Item 2.1.13), as amended,
or established under any similar provisions under any replacement Act

Farrer School Building Fund

Purpose as defined in the Constitution: ....solely for providing money for the acquisition, construction and/or maintenance of a building or buildings to be used by FMAHS which is a distinct fund established under division 30-25(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) (Item 2.1.10), as amended, or established under any similar provisions under any replacement Act

Farrer School Foundation Inc Rural School Hostel Building Fund

Purpose as defined in the Constitution: ....solely for providing money for the acquisition, construction or maintenance of the school hostel buildings to be used by FMAHS which is a distinct fund established under division 30-25(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) (Item 2.1.11), as amended, or established under any similar provisions under any replacement Act

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Governance

The Farrer School Foundation is governed by our Constitution & Rules and our registration with the ACNC – Australian Charities & Not-for-profit commission, and the terms & conditions of our Charitable Fundraising Authority (CFN/26090) issued by NSW Fair Trading.

The Foundation is managed by the Management Committee, elected at the AGM each year by the Members. Prior to the AGM each year, the Secretary will call for nominations for membership of the Management Committee and nominations for Officer Bearers.  Below are our current Foundation members.

In accordance with Clause 6 of the Farrer School Foundation Constitution, applications for membership are subject to review and acceptance by the Management Committee.

Mr. Jim Levy

President

Mr. Mark Hoath

Vice President

Mr. Mark Slack Smith

Honorary Accountant

Mr. John Sandell

Committee Member

Mr. Clint Gallagher

Committee Member

Mrs. Heidi Manning

Committee Member

Mrs. Alli Mudford

Committee Member

Mr. Mark Roseby

Committee Member

Mr. Terry Cowan Secretary / Treasurer

Former Committee Member Terry Cowan has been the Business Services Manager at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School since January 2017. His role revolves around finance, human resources, and administration. Prior to joining Farrer, Terry was a Small Business Advisor, a Business Manager of a large local law firm, owned and operated several small businesses, preceded by a ten-year banking career. As Treasurer and Secretary, Terry’s financial and administrative skills are utilised in his role with the Foundation. We were honoured to have Terry as a member of our organisation and express our sincere thanks for his willing assistance during his tenure on the Management Committee.

Mr. David Rodgers Committee Member

Former Committee Member David Rodgers was educated at Albury Grammar School and worked in the agricultural industry from 1959 to 1971. He was the Executive Officer at Namoi Regional Library form 1972 to 1992. David then joined the team at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School working as the Registrar and then the Services Manager from 1992 until 2017. He has served on the Farrer School Council from 1992 to the present day, including four years as Chairman.  David has been a strong advocate for the Farrer School Foundation, having been involved with it since its inception. We were honoured to have David as a member of our organisation and express our sincere thanks for his willing assistance during his tenure on the Management Committee.

Mr. William (Bill) Warburton (OAM) HONORARY ACCOUNTANT

Former Committee Member Bill grew up in Sydney and on leaving school joined the accounting firm of Cooper Brothers Way and Hardie (now known as Price Waterhouse Coopers) in 1961, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1969. Bill spent two years (1964 – 1965) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea with that firm and during that time walked the Kokoda Track and played in Rugby Union International for Papua against New Guinea in Goroka. Six years after returning to Sydney Bill moved to Tamworth joining Ted Carter in an accounting practice until his retirement in 2007. Bill is currently involved with several local organisations including as Chairman of Challenge Community Services and The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Tamworth Support Group He was awarded an OAM for services to the Tamworth community on Australia Day 2020. We were honoured to have Bill as a member of our organisation and express our sincere thanks for his willing assistance during his tenure on the Management Committee.

Mr. Jock Stier  MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER

Former Committee Member After completing his Higher School Certificate at Farrer, Jock Stier joined the National Australia Bank and worked in many areas of the Bank.  In 1998 he had a career change and joined the Financial Planning industry. After working in a local business in Tamworth he purchased the business and is now the proprietor of Bell Partners Tamworth.  As a business we provide all aspects of financial planning but also have Finance and Accounting as part of the business. Jock is the current Secretary of the Farrer Old Boys Association and have been involved in the Association helping run the Re-Unions each year since 1992.  Jock is also a foundation member of the Rotary Club of Tamworth Sunrise. Jock is involved in the Tamworth Oztag Association as a senior referee and assisting with Representative administration.  We were honoured to have Jock as a member of our organisation and express our sincere thanks for his willing assistance during his tenure on the Management Committee.