Miss Cunningham, as owner and headmistress of Fintona, was determined to leave Fintona in a sound financial position.
In 1961, she gave the property and goodwill of the School to the Company of former students and staff and appointed a Board of Management to administer the affairs of the School. On her death, a large part of her estate was bequeathed for ‘the advancement of education at Fintona Girls’ School’. The Margaret Cunningham Endowment Fund was established with Dame Beryl Beaurepaire as inaugural Chair.
In May 2000 the Board authorised the incorporation of the Trust, and Mrs Margaret Ross became the first Chair of Tourmont Incorporated – so named to reflect the historic building which Miss Cunningham bought to accommodate the School and which became her own home. Tourmont Incorporated acts as Trustee for the Fund, a Public Charitable Trust established to provide support and assistance to Fintona Girls’ School.
Tourmont Incorporated Members
The serving Tourmont Incorporated Members all have close associations with Fintona, and a commitment to Miss Cunningham’s educational and social philosophy.
Members of the Committee of Management are: |
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Dana Fleming (President) |
Jackie Besley |
Andrea Phillips |
Merran Schoeffel |
Alison Rodriquez |
Eris Yap |
Current Members of Tourmont Incorporated are: |
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Jenny Blum |
Renata Jenkins |
Justice David Harper AM |
Dr Elizabeth Roberts |
Margaret Ross AM |
Katherine Van Den Berg |
The charter of the Endowment Fund embraces support of educational, social, cultural and sporting activities; scholarships and bursaries; property, building and equipment. Distributions have been of enormous benefit to Fintona in a variety of projects over the years. Often the distributions have been unannounced, but there have been more obvious contributions such as the internal refurbishment and external maintenance of Tourmont. A significant commitment of the Fund was the purchase of the Balwyn Road property which the School has now converted to the new Early Learning Centre. Such a meaningful Endowment Fund is a living legacy to Miss Cunningham’s forward thinking and generosity. The Fund can be augmented by donations or bequests from those who share her vision and value her influence in their own lives.

Adele McIntosh
If you would like to know more about the Margaret Cunningham Endowment Fund or how you can contribute to it, please contact Adele McIntosh, Development and Community Engagement Manager.