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James & Katherine Murray and children

JAMES & KATHERINE MURRAY NAMED FUND

After living abroad as expatriates for around twenty years, James and Katherine Murray returned to Melbourne six years ago, where they now live with their four children – Sam, Alice, Philippa, and Angus.

James grew up on a farm near Benalla, and his family has maintained a long and proud association with the Benalla Art Gallery. He and his sisters watched the Gallery develop from its earliest days in the 1970s, driven by the dedication of so many within the community including his ‘Benalla grandparents’, Erma and Laurie Ledger, among the Gallery’s early supporters and benefactors. His parents, Jim and Midge Murray, also felt a strong connection to the Gallery, with Jim volunteering for many years.

James and Katherine believe the Benalla Art Gallery is an important cultural institution of both regional and national significance, and a wonderful focal point for the Benalla community. Having served the district with distinction for over fifty years, they believe that with the right support and vision, the Gallery has the potential to grow and play an even more vital role for future generations.

Although not originally from the district, Katherine shares James’s passion for the arts. She studied art history and architecture at university and has her own strong family connections to rural Victoria. Together, James and Katherine value the essential contribution that regional galleries make to the cultural life and identity of their communities.