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Our Founder
Our Founder

The Foundation was established by Margaret 'Fay' Fuller in 2003. Despite feeling a sense of pride in the Foundation and its contribution to the health landscape of South Australia, Fay’s humility and private nature meant that while she was still with us the Foundation’s work was performed quietly with little recognition of her involvement. Fay passed away peacefully in 2017 aged 91 and is remembered by those who knew her as pragmatic, candid, and fiercely South Australian. Her legacy lives on through the work of the Foundation.

Fay (R) with Mother Lilly (M) and sister Jean (L)

"My hope is that the Foundation will support charities working to improve the health of the South Australian community for the broadest benefit possible."

Born in 1926 to Charles and Lillian Fuller of Mitcham, South Australia, Margaret Fay Fuller (quickly dubbed Fay) was vibrant, inquisitive, and a much-loved little sister to Dorothy Jean Fuller.


In a pioneer move for a woman of that era Fay studied business at Stott’s Business College before taking up work as a ledger keeper. After her father’s sudden death in 1955 she took over the family’s stock portfolio and real estate holdings. At just 29, Fay’s business acumen meant she was able to not only manage her late father’s investments but to successfully grow them.

Fay’s interest in issues of health funding and the impact of serious illness on families was precipitated by her experience caring for family members during illnesses. After facing several tragic personal losses, she began making private donations to various health-based charities across South Australia.

In 2003, looking to increase her philanthropic giving, Fay established The Fay Fuller Foundation. The Foundation was set up with a broad and flexible remit to support the health of South Australians. Since its inception the Fay Fuller Foundation has distributed over $15 million to almost 60 organisations across South Australia.

Meet the team

We are all committed to working to address South Australia’s most complex challenges in the mental health and wellbeing space by investing in innovation and community-led preventative responses.
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©Fay Fuller Foundation
We acknowledge the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and the traditional custodians and owners of the lands on which we work and live across Australia. We pay our respects to Elders of the past, present and into the future. We are committed to collaboration that furthers self-determination, as we go forward, we will continue to listen, learn, and be allies for a healing future.