Tyree Foundation Gallery
The Sir William Tyree Foundation is a visionary supporter of Powerhouse Parramatta, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to the future of engineering education and industry innovation in Australia. The Foundation’s investment will help establish the Tyree Foundation Gallery in the new museum and support Powerhouse to host an annual week-long Australian Engineering Summit and school holiday programs in Western Sydney.
The multi-year partnership builds on the Foundation’s legacy of promoting research excellence, deepening scientific collaboration and creating pathways for engineering careers in Australia and abroad. It also exemplifies Sir William Tyree’s belief in the social value of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education alongside investments in advancing the industry.
The Sir William Tyree Foundation’s commitment of $8 million to Powerhouse Parramatta will help establish the Tyree Foundation Gallery, one of the most substantial gallery spaces in Powerhouse Parramatta, featuring 2,000 square metres of floor space and 8-metre-high ceilings. The gallery will make world-class immersive exhibitions accessible in the heart of Western Sydney by providing capacity for 2,000 visitors at a time to experience advances in engineering, technology and science.
The annual Australian Engineering Summit supported by the Foundation will bring together national and international industry-leaders for networking, mentoring and professional development opportunities. The week-long event will feature symposiums, workshops and an expo showcasing industry, and facilitate collaboration between industry, research and education.
Building on the Summit themes, the partnership will inspire the next generation of Australian engineers with free engineering school holiday workshops for Western Sydney high school students (years 7–10). Powerhouse and TAFE NSW will co-create programs designed to foster a life-long passion for science and engineering through hands-on workshops.
The workshops will encourage students to learn new technologies and apply this knowledge to tinker, fabricate and prototype their own ideas. Students will also have opportunities to meet with industry experts and learn more about the social good outcomes of engineering.
The annual Australian Engineering Summit and related education programs directly align with the Foundation’s defining purpose ‘to assist the general community’ and its enduring legacy of advocating to promote engineering across all levels of education.
The Sir William Tyree Foundation’s mission to help grow the industry is driven in part by a pragmatic need to address Australia’s shortage of engineers. It is also aspirational: it encourages future creative thinkers to pursue careers in engineering fields where they can deliver incredible social impact.
Sir William Tyree was awarded an OBE in 1971 for philanthropic services and a knighthood in 1975 for his contribution to the engineering industry. He is internationally recognised for transforming the Australian engineering, manufacturing and power industries and as a passionate advocate of the power of education to change people’s lives. His family continues his commitment to supporting industry in Southern and Western Sydney, which began in 1952 when the first Tyree company established a new factory in Kingsgrove.
Building Parramatta
Powerhouse Parramatta is being realised through the generosity, support and collaboration of the NSW Government, foundations, agencies, businesses and individuals for the community.
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Powerhouse relies on the generosity and collaborations to deliver world class exhibitions and education programs for our communities.
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