Philanthropic businessman John Armati has made an $805,000 donation to Dubbo's regional art gallery.
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The former owner of the Daily Liberal newspaper and Macquarie Publications publishing group has purchased the renowned Michael Riley 'Cloud' photograph series for Dubbo Regional Gallery, part of the Western Plains Cultural Centre.
The ‘Armati Bequest in Perpetuity' includes a cash gift and funding for the maintenance of the Michael Riley collection.
The money will be paid to council over a number of years.
Mr Armati previously donated $300,000 to Western Plains Zoo to establish the Armati Education Centre.
He said the $1.1 million gifts to Dubbo recognise his affection for a community that played a large part in his life.
Mr Armati's parents, Leo and Pat, came to Dubbo in 1949 after purchasing the Dubbo Liberal.
Their son later took over the business and created the largest independently owned regional publishing group in Australia. The business was sold to Rural Press in 1995.
"Dubbo gave my children life and me an opportunity,'' Mr Armati told the Daily Liberal yesterday.
"It's good to see the city growing and to help play a role in that growth.''
Mr Armati has enjoyed a number of "sleep overs" with his children at Western Plains Zoo and visited Western Plains Cultural Centre in December.
He regards the art and museum complex as a wonderful addition to the city and appreciates the value of Michael Riley's work.
The late Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi artist is considered to be one of the most important indigenous artists of the past two decades.
Mayor Allan Smith will formerly announce the Armati bequest tomorrow. In a press release yesterday the mayor said it was difficult not to be overwhelmed by generosity of this magnitude.
"Financial support of this kind dramatically broadens the scope of the exhibitions the gallery will now to be able to host for the benefit of the community,'' he said.
"With this type of commitment what is already the envy of the region could well become one of the cultural benchmarks for the state.''
