Challis Bequest Society

The Challis Bequest Society, established with the support of an anonymous donor, was created to acknowledge the important role our benefactors play in the University family.

The society was named in honor of John Henry Challis, a philanthropist who generously donated the University’s first major bequest. The gift transformed learning, teaching and research at the University, to the benefit of fields as diverse as medicine, law and engineering.

As a token of our gratitude, those who carry on in this tradition are welcomed into the Challis Bequest Society. Members receive regular invitations to exclusive member events, providing a unique opportunity to meet with University leaders, academics, students and other Challis members in an intimate setting.

There are two levels of membership. Legacy members have provided written confirmation of their bequest as way of helping the University to plan for the future. Lifetime members have also informed the University about their intention to leave a bequest but have not yet sent written confirmation.

The University encourages those who have included the University of Sydney in their will to contact the Bequest Manager so that they can be recognised and thanked through membership of the Challis Bequest Society.

Benefactors who have left a bequest to the University of Sydney and who do not wish to become a member of the Challis Bequest Society are also encouraged to contact the Bequest Manager.