We are proud to receive posthumous gifts from many Australians who entrust us with their legacy.

Ralf Iannuzzi included a gift to the Library in his will before he passed away in 2013. He was a long-time member of the Friends of the National Library and regular event attendee. With the Greater Good Foundation’s generous assistance, the Ralf Iannuzzi Memorial Trust was created. The Trust will distribute funds to the Library over the next decade.

Ralf Iannuzzi was a lover of books, and a member of the Canberra Bookbinders Guild. To honour his legacy, we are using his bequest to digitise a landmark collection from Sir John Alexander Ferguson, one of Australia’s most prolific book collectors.

The Ferguson Collection is the Library’s largest treasure trove, containing over 32,000 items. It includes books, pamphlets, journals, printed ephemera, and much more. These items capture the rich history of Australia and the Pacific, from early colonial settlement to 20th century writers. The collection gives a remarkable insight into the stories that shaped Australia.

Among the rarest items in the collection are Ferguson’s pre-1850 “octavos”. These fragile and unique items will soon be available online thanks to Ralf Iannuzzi’s generosity and additional funds from the Library.

We’re pleased to honour donors who include the Library in their will through membership of the Hazel de Berg Circle. The Circle is named for Hazel de Berg MBE, the pioneer of oral history in Australia. The Hazel de Berg collection forms one of our Foundation Collections.

See more information on the Hazel de Berg Circle. Or, please contact our Philanthropy team to leave a gift in your will.