Millie Phillips’ executor unaware of University’s plan to drop “Jewish” from Centre name

Peter Phillippsohn, executor of Millie Phillips’ estate and a trustee of the Northfield Foundation, has queried a report published this week in The Australian relating to controversy surrounding the Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) alleged decision to drop the word “Jewish” from a planned academic centre.

Phillippsohn clarified that the Foundation is “not in a position at the moment to take applications” and stated that the community will be notified when that changes. His comments contradict media suggestions that ACU is already engaged in active negotiations regarding the naming or structure of a centre that would be funded through Phillips’ bequest—although J-Wire understands that internal discussions at ACU are ongoing.

The original report in The Australian, published Monday, claimed that ACU was preparing to rename the proposed Millie Phillips Centre for Jewish Thought and History to a more generic title. The story cited internal concerns over reputation, donor backlash, and political sensitivities surrounding antisemitism. According to the report, internal briefing papers were expected to be presented to the university’s Senate this week.

Phillippsohn emphasized that no funding decisions have been made and no formal application from ACU has been received. The Northfield Foundation—established following a recent NSW Supreme Court ruling—is responsible for distributing funds from Phillips’ estate in alignment with her vision. That vision, as affirmed in court, includes fighting antisemitism and promoting Jewish pride.

Phillips, a Holocaust survivor and prominent Australian entrepreneur, earmarked a portion of her estate to support Jewish academic and cultural initiatives. In October 2022, she donated US$15 million to Tel Aviv University, which named its Student City housing complex in her honour and established the Millie Phillips Development Fund.

While her legacy continues to be discussed publicly, the foundation charged with implementing her wishes has not yet begun formal operations. No official centre, program, or funding relationship is currently in place.