Bequests to NEAF

NEAF gratefully receives bequests from both members and the general public where these bequests can both be administratively accommodated by NEAF and are deemed a useful addition to foster NEAF’s aim of furthering study and participation in Near Eastern Archaeology.

If you would like to plan a bequest to NEAF, click here.

Everything NEAF does, every day, owes an extraordinary debt to Jon Hosking, whose generous bequest in 1989 is one of NEAFs key financial anchors.

Jon Hosking was an enthusiastic Member of the Foundation and Founding Managing Editor of the NEAF Bulletin, as well as a member of the first Pella field team in 1979.

I first met Jon in my second year of Archaeology.  Jon was a Qantas crew professional, whose parallel passion was Near Eastern archaeology, particularly classical archaeology and numismatics.  While he had never had the chance to do an Archaeology degree, his years of travel had ignited his private interests and he was a voracious reader and self-educator about the archaeology and history of the Near East and Mediterranean.

Jon was to be one of the University of Sydney Pella team in its first season in 1979.  I was to be a draftsperson – and so we met.  Jon was hardworking, gentle-mannered and good humoured even in the most trying moments when roofs leaked, and the dreaded Generator failed to start.

On that pioneering Qantas flight to Damascus (our first leg of the inaugural Pella journey), we cash-strapped student diggers down the back of the 747 were delighted mid-flight to be offered complimentary champagne by cabin staff – worded up by Jon!

Jon passed away in October 1989, at the age of 44.  He showed courage and grace throughout his long illness, never letting an opportunity go by to offer time and assistance to Basil Hennessy, Tony McNicoll and NEAF.  He loved the University of Sydney archaeology and NEAF communities and the chance it gave him to express his interest in research and share our work in Jordan.

His six-figure bequest to NEAF was a very considerable sum, and with time and growth is now the engine room of slightly less than half our funding base. 

Part of Jon’s original donor purposes was the study and publication of his personal coin collection, and support for a revised edition of the BM catalogue of the coinage of Cleopatra VII.  These key elements of the bequest were all met in the early years after his bequest.

Hosking’s Bequest investment interest supports essential functions such as administrative support, NEAF Bulletin and Events support, and Grants and Scholarships.   Professor Basil Hennessy, writing his annual NEAF report for 1988, said ‘we owe a great deal to …. Jon Hosking, who quite pleasantly just keeps the whole foundation moving’.

Lady Winifred Grace Stephen affectionately known as Win was fascinated by the ancient world, and went on a series of trips to various countries in the Middle East, led by NEAF tour leaders.  Along with her daughter Mary, she participated in more than thirty (!) short courses (mainly through NEAF) in Archaeology and History. However, in typical fashion, she wanted to give something back to those institutions that had given her so much pleasure. Thus, aged in her late 70s, she ‘got a new job’ two days a week, volunteering in the Nicholson Museum. She began by stuffing envelopes, and moved on to reconstructing shattered pots, learning how to support the glued pieces in sand. She loved these days, and she loved the archaeologists, NEAF and the Nicholson Museum.  She also spent many days helping Karen out in the NEAF office, mostly stuffing envelopes and writing up some catalogues. For her, the archaeologists were dear friends and she felt privileged to be able to work among them. Even more privileged were all of us who knew her—either as a friend, travelling companion, or volunteer in the NEAF office or basement of the Nicholson Museum—for with her enthusiasm (age being no barrier), gentility, and selflessness Win was a real inspiration to so many. She bequeathed NEAF a sum of $10,000 to be used in the support of NEAF’s various activities.

Christopher Martin Caley was born in Katoomba on the 27th September 1948.

He learnt to read at an early age, and soon became an avid reader with a wide variety of interests which include reading the dictionary cover to cover before he had finished junior school- indeed an academic in the making. He graduated from Sydney University with a BA (Hons) and an LLB with Distinction, and set forth on a long and successful career in Law.

Whilst Law was his trade, his keen interest in history had by this point developed into a passion for ancient history, archaeology, and anthropology.

With his formidable command of languages – English, French and Latin – combined with an insatiable quest for knowledge in his specialised interests, he accumulated an extensive library of specialty books ranging from English Literature, poetry, history, law and archaeology.

Chris was a man of quick and dry wit and he was much loved and highly regarded by his peers. Even post-formal studies, he remained a lifelong academic, with his passion for learning leading to this collection of books.

He is survived by his wife Twee, mother Freda , his three children and brother Pete.

NEAF is extremely honoured to receive Chris’s collection of books for inclusion into the VGCC library where we are sure they will be a welcome addition for students and scholars alike.

Kevin Hayes Bequest

In 2020, a bequest was received from NEAF Member Kevin Hayes who passed away on the 15^th April, 2021.  Mr Hayes had been a keen traveller and participant in NEAF activities, including a NEAF Tour conducted by Dr Tidmarsh to Syria in 2009. 

Mr Hayes bequest of $140,000.00 will be used to support research and activities consistent with the inspiration he took from his rich experience of Near Eastern and Levantine archaeology and history.

Werner Horn Bequest

Werner Horn was a member of the Foundation since 1988.  From Krefeld in Germany, he arrived in Melbourne as a young man and then came to Sydney, which became his home for the second half of his life. He completed a BA at UNSW, while taking some courses at University of Sydney. 

When Werner Horn died on 22 July, 1992, he left a bequest of $10,000 for NEAF sanctioned library and NEAF publication support.