Leave a gift in your Will

Leaving a gift in your Will is your opportunity to create something with personal meaning and resonance.

Making a gift is about creating real and tangible impact in the world. It could be life-giving or life-changing. Either way, the impact will be felt for generations.

Now, more than ever, the world needs education and research. Leaving a bequest through the University of Newcastle could fund life-changing research that touches the lives of many. It could put education within reach for those who struggle to gain access to it. It could provide state-of-the-art teaching, learning, and research facilities, or fund many other university projects.

Philanthropy Stories – Frances Doherty and Nathan Towney

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Philanthropy stories – Tanya Murray-Russell and Robert Russell

Create your Will

Create your Will

Australia's leading online Will-writing service is pleased to offer you the chance to write your Will for free from 11-24 March 2024. With Safewill, it's easy and affordable to look after the people and causes closest to your heart.

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To leave a gift in your Will

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Your legacy. Your passion. Your impact.

The University has been entrusted with bequests from our local and global community for more than fifty years. With a growing number of supporters each year, together we are changing lives.

We are so grateful to all those who have so generously left us a gift in their Will to an area that they are passionate about. We know how important this decision is to you and will make time to understand what matters most to you. That way, we can help you spark a change you truly believe in.

Through creating your own scholarship, your bequest could open up possibilities for those who might have all the talent but sometimes lack the means and support to explore and develop it. By enabling our future leaders to pursue their potential, you are also positively impacting all the lives they go on to change.

Whether you have a passion for creating a sustainable future through modern technologies, finding a cure for heartbreaking diseases or something unique like space physics, your legacy can aid our dedicated researchers in the next breakthrough.

Safeguard our region’s history by helping us uncover and preserve precious historical archives through the Library for generations to come. Make history as we come together to create the first dedicated multi-storey alumni building in Australia. Help vulnerable members of society access legal advice when they need it most through our community legal clinics.

Our community projects bring people together and make incredible change. They build powerful connections and foster world-changing collaborations.

When you leave a gift in your will through the University of Newcastle, you make it possible for us to unite in our purpose to change lives and to make the world a better, more equitable place.


How to leave a gift in your Will

If you are considering the University of Newcastle in your Will, know that we are here to help you set change in motion.

It is your story and your legacy, so it is important that you get the chance to do it your way. We’d like to harness that wish, so it can have the greatest impact beyond your lifetime.

If you would like to discuss your wishes or have any questions regarding a gift in your will, please contact the Gifts in Wills team, on 02 4921 8612 or via email 

We recommend that you discuss your plans with your family and legal advisor. We can also support you as you document your wishes. For example, some suggested bequest wording and a summary of key definitions are provided below.

There are many options for making a bequest to the University, some of which include:

  • Residual: The remainder or residue of your estate after providing for family and friends, and all debts and charges have been cleared.
  • Percentage: A percentage of the remainder or residue of your estate once all gifts, debts and charges have been cleared.
  • Pecuniary: A fixed amount of money.
  • Specific: A specific item or asset, which may be money, real estate, investments (e.g. shares, bonds or deposits), works of art, collectibles, life insurance proceeds or personal effects.

Making a bequest to the University of Newcastle is as simple as including wording such as the following examples in your will. If you already have a will and would like to update it with a gift to the University of Newcastle, we can provide appropriate wording for a codicil.

General purpose gift

I give [insert gift details here]* to The University of Newcastle of University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308 ABN 15 736 576 735 ('the University') for the general purposes of the University. I declare the receipt of the University will be sufficient discharge of my executors.

Educational and research purposes gift

I give [insert gift details here]* to The University of Newcastle of University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308 ABN 15 736 576 735 ('the University') for the advancement of education and research at the University but without creating any binding trust. I declare the receipt of the University will be sufficient discharge of my executors.

Faculty or school gift

I give [insert gift details here]* to The University of Newcastle of University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308 ABN 15 736 576 735 ('the University') for research, learning and teaching, and engagement at the University but without creating any binding trust. I express the wish that if practicable this gift be applied towards research, learning and teaching in [insert name of discipline or area of study]. I declare the receipt of the University will be sufficient discharge of my executors.

Nominating a non-binding specific purpose

I give [insert dollar amount] ('the gift') to The University of Newcastle of University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308 ABN 15 736 576 735 (‘the University’) to invest the money and use the capital and income earned to support [insert purpose] ('the stated purpose'). The gift is to be known as 'The [insert title] Gift'. The University may invest the gift and may determine how capital and investment income are spent in order to fulfil the stated purpose. If at any time the University determines that it is impossible or impracticable to carry out the stated purpose then the University may apply the income and capital of the gift for such purpose as the University determines most closely accords with the stated purpose. This gift shall not be construed as creating any trust binding upon the University.  I declare that the receipt of the University will be a full discharge to my executors and they will not be bound to see to its application.

Please note the above clauses are just some examples of the options available. Please contact us if the above clauses do not exactly address what it is you are wanting to achieve.  We have other clauses which may be more appropriate if you are looking to support a specific activity such as to create a prize or scholarship, donate assets or to establish a charitable trust. And we are happy to review clauses to confirm we will be able to honour intent.

You may find useful the following terms relating to bequests.

Administration of a deceased estate: Following the terms of a will to ensure the instructions and intentions of the deceased person are followed in order to dispose of or deal with their estate.

Beneficiaries: The person or persons named in a will who will receive assets from the deceased estate.

Bequest: The process of gifting personal property through a will. Sometimes also referred to as a legacy.

Codicil: An additional document (signed in the same way as a will in order to be valid) which is used to make a minor change to the terms of an existing will.

Deceased estate: All the assets (which may include bank accounts, real estate, investments, works of art, collectibles, life insurance proceeds, jewellery, furniture and clothing) a person owns in their sole name when they die.

Executor: The person or persons, institution or entity appointed under the terms of the will to manage, administer and finalise a deceased estate in accordance with the will.

Probate : A process by which the will or a document alleged to be the will of a deceased person, is proven to be valid according to law.

Nurturing your gift with respect and integrity

The University is grateful to have been entrusted with gifts in Wills and donations from our local and global community for more than 50 years.

We have a growing number of supporters changing lives by giving through the University each year. We are very grateful for every gift and take our responsibility to nurture your gift and deliver on your wishes most seriously.

The acceptance and management of gifts to the University of Newcastle are subject to our gift governance framework, and are overseen by our Gift Governance Committee. This process ensures that the use, investment and distribution of philanthropic gifts is respectful, consistent and transparent, and maximises the effectiveness of your gift in delivering on your intent.


Personal heartache fuels hope for the future of diabetes

Personal heartache fuels hope for the future of diabetes

Eric Sansom’s personal heartache at the death of his son Neville at a young age was the catalyst for his generous decision to leave a bequest to the University of Newcastle.

Supporting education and training of rural healthcare professionals

Supporting education and training of rural healthcare professionals

Aspiring doctors and nurses from regional and remote areas will have greater opportunity to fulfil their career aspirations thanks to new scholarships being offered by the University of Newcastle.

Giving a piece of today for tomorrow

Giving a piece of today for tomorrow

When Roy Palmer and his wife Marie bought their slowly regenerating bush block at Broke in 1978, they found the greatest asset it had was its ability to grow 'tranquillity'.

A Father Daughter legacy

A Father Daughter legacy

Frances Doherty remembers her father as a humble man with a strong sense of social justice, whose activism to bring change for Indigenous students had an indelible impact on the University’s history.

History of disease more relevant than ever

History of disease more relevant than ever

Janet Copley was a tireless political activist and campaigner for social justice in Newcastle and her legacy lives on through the University of Newcastle. She left a generous bequest to support women studying at university, and this has been used in part to establish a doctoral scholarship in her honour.

Celebrating those who make the future brighter - Honouring bequests 2023

This booklet shares the stories of some of our wonderful supporters who have chosen to make a difference beyond their lifetime by leaving a gift in their Will to the University. As a University we are so grateful for their dedication to making the future brighter and ensuring their passions live on, it is a privilege to see the impact of their generosity.

We are honoured to carry out the wishes of our supporters and to continue their legacy. We know that their generosity will positively impact lives for many years to come.

2023 Bequest Booklet