By james art Charles unveiled plans for The King’s Foundation Australia at a special reception at Admiralty House in Sydney during his high-profile royal tour.
The charity’s first project will be as trustee of Hillview Estate in Sutton Forest, NSW, working to restore the historic property and surrounding land.
The heritage-listed former summer residence of the New South Wales governor will serve as the permanent base for The King’s Foundation Australia and will be developed as a “landmark cultural centre”, the charity said.
Inspiration was taken from the regeneration of Dumfries House, an 18th-century mansion in Ayrshire, Scotland, which now acts as the headquarters of the King’s Foundation after being preserved for the nation in 2007 by a consortium led by Charles as Prince of Wales .
The King set up his initial foundation, previously called The Prince’s Foundation, to train the next generation of skilled artisans – including construction, carpentry, fashion and textiles – in the heritage techniques essential to many traditional industries.
Practical training programs and training in traditional and heritage crafts will also be developed at Hillview.
Christina Murin, the Australian-born chief executive of The King’s Foundation, said the new foundation was a sign of Charles’ attachment to Australia.
The king is making his first royal tour of the country as its monarch, but his inaugural visit hit the headlines on Monday when Australian senator Lydia Thorpe blasted Charles after his speech in Canberra, accusing him of “genocide” against her nation’s indigenous people.
Ms Murrin said: “Establishing a permanent presence of The King’s Foundation here is testament to His Majesty’s attachment to Australia and commitment to expanding the scope of the sustainable communities work undertaken by The King’s Foundation elsewhere in the world.”
“Dumfries House is transforming the local community and pioneering nature-based learning for both young people and adults, as well as placing traditional skills at the heart of the practical education courses offered at the estate.
“It is an exciting prospect to have the opportunity to apply what we have learned since Dumfries House was saved for the nation in 2007 on the Hillview Estate.”
The King’s Foundation Building Trades Program 2024, which aims to help preserve traditional building skills, is now underway at @Dumfries_House.
To learn more, visit pic.twitter.com/vQquXaRHh4
— The King’s Foundation (@KingsFdn) August 21, 2024
Dominic Richards, Chairman of The King’s Foundation Australia, said: “His Majesty’s vision for a world in harmony with nature is more relevant now than ever.
“As an Australian who personally benefited from The King’s Foundation’s educational programs 30 years ago, I am excited to see how this work extends its transformative approach to communities across Australia.”
“Following the model established by His Majesty at Dumfries House, we hope to create a similar positive impact by providing employment and education opportunities.”
Hillview went on the market – with a long-term government lease – for the first time in 24 years in December 2023, with a guide price of A$7.5m (£3.8m), according to the Australian Financial Review (AFR).
The foundation said the charity had signed a long-term lease and the property remained the property of the NSW Government.
Built in the 1870s, the residence on the Old Illawarra Highway, Sutton Forest, was formerly known as ‘Prospect’.
It is the “most exclusive” Highland estate and was the summer retreat of 16 successive New South Wales governors between 1882 and 1957, offering them “a place to escape the Sydney summer”, the AFR said.
The NSW Government Heritage Register listed the house – which had 38 habitable rooms, including 27 bedrooms – and its 60-hectare estate as “highly significant to the people of NSW as the former country home of the Governors of NSW” for 75 years .
The government sold it in 1958 to the eccentric builder and entrepreneur Edwin Klein, who remodeled the gardens, often at night, working by torchlight, but left the house largely untouched.
He later gifted Hillview back to the government on the condition that he receive a lease for the rest of his life.
It was later operated as a boutique hotel and wedding venue.
The King’s Foundation Australia will build on existing sustainable community projects undertaken by Charles’ charities around the country over the years.