Annamila First Nations Foundation  founder, Julie Kantor AO commenced her philanthropic activities more than 26 years ago.

Her first giving was in her own name and made anonymously to organisations such as Somebody’s Daughter Theatre Company. 

As Julie‘s philanthropic interests expanded, she decided to give under the name of Annamila – a name that recognises the importance of her parents, Anne and Milan Kantor.

In the early years of Annamila, Julie was drawn more and more to supporting the First Nations Peoples of Australia.

In 2013, Julie asked a long-standing friend and colleague, Ian Roberts to chair Annamila.

While on a trip to Yuendumu in the Northern Territory to inspect a swimming pool that the Kantor family had donated in memory of son and brother Tom who was greatly loved by the people of Yuendumu, Julie and Ian decided that Annamila should specialise in support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. They also made the critical decision that the governance of Annamila should be conducted by a new board that comprised 50 % women and 50 % First Nations directors. 

A new strategic plan was developed with the new directors and an expanded range of funding initiatives were implemented.

Following a review of its activities after three years, it was decided that the Board should progress to majority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation.

With this significant development the Annamila First Nations Foundation came into existence in 2020.