Carmen Rupe trust established

The Carmen Rupe Memorial Trust (CRMT) finalised a Deed of Settlement establishing the trust on March 1.

Rupe’s neighbour, Kelly Glanney, who led the team that established the trust, said supporters were grateful to lawyers Brown Wright Stein and accountants Clark & Jacobs for their assistance.

“We’re indebted to everyone who has contributed time and energy to this project thus far, but particularly to Brown Wright Stein and Clark & Jacobs for taking us on pro bono to help navigate the process of establishing a charity in Carmen’s name,” Glanney said. “It is a wonderful feeling knowing we’re now one step closer to creating a lasting and meaningful memorial to Carmen,” she said.

The deed describes Rupe as a LGBTI cultural icon who transcended national and cultural boundaries and refers to her wish that a charity be established in her name.

The deed states that the trust’s charitable purpose is to promote social inclusion and appreciation of human diversity and universal human rights by implementing measures to improve the social status, social integration and welfare of disadvantaged individuals and communities.

While the trust will primarily focus on LGBTI-related issues, it also recognises that some stakeholders in Rupe’s legacy may wish to use the trust to address disadvantage in other communities, such as children with HIV in developing countries or disaster relief for South Pacific nations.

Clark & Jacobs senior partner Garry Pammer will be the trust’s chairman and will assist in securing registered charity status with the Australian Taxation Office.

Rupe’s niece, Chanette Hemopo, will represent her family on the trust.

“It’s such an honour to be a foundation trustee in my aunt’s legacy and to represent my family’s interest in seeing this organisation do wonderful things in her name,” Hemopo said.

“I look forward to playing my part in making a positive difference in the lives of some of the many disadvantaged groups Carmen devoted herself to over the course of a lifetime.” The CRMT’s third trustee is Elizabeth Riley, a counsellor and educator who was the Gender Centre’s first professional counsellor.

Glanney will direct the trust’s advisory committee. The trust will seek expressions of interest from prospective committee members in coming weeks.

Photo: Ann-Marie Calilhanna