Hugh Jackman launches performing arts foundation in Perth

Actors Hugh Jackman and Jack Thompson have launched the Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts at a ceremony at Perth's Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).

Jackman and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness, along with acting great Thompson have created the national fund in the hope it will draw $10 million in private finance to support the performing arts in Western Australia.

Saturday's launch saw Jackman announce that mining magnate Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest and his wife Nicola had already donated $1 million to the foundation.

He then told the crowd he and his wife would match that contribution.

Jackman was born and raised in Sydney, but moved to Perth to study acting at WAAPA.

He graduated from the Academy in 1994 and began an illustrious film and stage career, marked by his ability to play a wide range of characters from Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, to Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz.

Launching the foundation, which will be based at WAAPA at the Edith Cowan University campus, Jackman said he was proud to see so many Australians breaking into the industry, stating "they're talented, professional, they're optimistic, and they're having a good time."

Jack Thompson's son Bill also graduated from WAAPA's acting course last year and he sees that the Foundation is a way to give back to the industry.

Thompson concluded "without the performing arts there is no film industry and it's from this centre here at WAAPA that people like Hugh Jackman have come into the industry.

"The arts are the dew that wets the nest of the imagination and there is where our future will flourish."

Edith Cowan University Vice-Chancellor Professor Kerry Cox added that it was a great honour to welcome Jackman back to ECU.

Professor Cox concluded “Hugh Jackman exemplifies ECU’s vision for our staff and students to use their talents to contribute to help make our communities more inclusive, prosperous and sustainable.

“It is a delight that Hugh Jackman has returned to ECU 20 years after his graduation to ‘give back’ to the performing arts communities that supported his obvious prodigious talents.

“This new Foundation for the performing arts is yet another example of the deep commitment Mr Jackman has to his roots.”

29th April 2014 - HUGH JACKMAN TO LAUNCH PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION