A memorial fund has been established to benefit future Charles Sturt University (CSU) theatre/media students following the premature death of Mr Blair Milan, a young CSU alumnus, actor and TV personality.

 

Shortly after completing filming a food and travel TV series with his mother, Lyndey and Blair’s Taste of Greece, which is currently broadcast on SBS TV, Mr Milan died from acute myeloid leukaemia on Sunday 17 April 2011.

 

Dr Jerry Boland, lecturer in theatre/media at the School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst, said, “Blair Milan was a very talented actor, media communicator, and scholar who graduated with distinction from the Bachelor of Communication (Theatre/Media) degree in 2003. Most people who come into the theatre/media course have a great zest for life, but what really distinguished Blair was his wholly positive attitude and the generosity of spirit that he always showed towards others."

 

Mr Milan’s family has established The Blair Milan Fund and aims to raise over $100 000 so that income from the Fund can support the annual scholarship and tour in perpetuity. Donations to The Blair Milan Fund can be made here.

 

The Blair Milan Fund will consist of The Blair Milan Scholarship and The Blair Milan Tour.

 

The Blair Milan Scholarship worth $3 000 will be awarded annually to one second year theatre/media student who exemplifies the generous artistic spirit and attitude of Mr Milan. The scholarship aims to encourage students studying theatre/media to demonstrate optimism, enthusiasm and a passion for their chosen field. The student will be selected by the academic staff of the theatre/media course with input from the Milan family and Blair’s peers based on the student applicant’s community involvement, academic and on-stage performance, as well as their stated goals and motivation.

 

The Blair Milan Tour will provide $7 000 annually to assist a production by final year theatre/media students, to be selected by academic staff of the theatre/media course with input from Blair’s peers and the Milan family, to present the work before metropolitan and/or regional communities. Profits from this presentation will be returned to The Blair Milan Tour Fund.

 

Lyndey and Blair’s Taste of Greece presently screens on SBS One at 8pm on Thursdays. More information on the Blair Milan Fund can be found here, and on Facebook.