by Marilie Bomediano
The heirs of the late Kevin Ernest Weldon AO, Australian publisher and philanthropist returned 17 earthenware artefacts to the National Museum of the Philippines during the turnover ceremony held last 30 May 2025 at the Bulwagang Rizal of the Philippine Consulate Sydney.
The turnover ceremony was hosted by Consul General Charmaine Rowena Aviquivil of the Philippine Consulate General Sydney which also coincided with the celebration of Philippine National Heritage Month, and the 79th Anniversary of bilateral ties between Philippines and Australia. This event honoured a shared commitment for cultural preservation and the strengthening of bilateral ties between the Philippines and Australia.
The earthenware/pottery collection was gifted to Kevin Ernest Weldon, AO, a celebrated Australian publisher and philanthropist for supporting Dr. Robert Fox’s archaeological research in the Philippines. Weldon received 17 pots, believed to have originated from Southern Tagalog region. Mr. Weldon was also in the Philippines at that time in the 70s collaborating with Filipino writer/artist, Alfredo Roces on the Filipino Heritage Book series which aimed to make Philippine history accessible to the public.
For decades, Weldon kept the collection safe in his home. Following his passing in 2023, his children, Cecile, Leonie, and Harold decided to donate the significant cultural collection to the Philippine government. The official handover took place at the Philippine Consulate in Sydney, with representatives from the National Museum of the Philippines present. Weldon is also known for the publishing of The Margaret Fulton Cookbook and The Macquarie Dictionary, and was awarded the Order of Australia in 1994.
The pottery collection was generously donated by the family of the late Mr. Kevin Weldon AO, a respected Australian publisher and businessman who developed a keen interest in Southeast Asian history and culture in the 1970s. His family’s donation of archaeological artefacts from the Philippines is a lasting tribute to his appreciation of Philippine heritage and to the enduring friendship between the two nations.
In her welcome remarks, Consul General Charmaine Rowena Aviquivil emphasized the importance of the turnover in the context of both National Heritage Month and Philippine-Australian Friendship Day. “Steeped in history and culture, this collection is a tangible echo of our intertwined past and the shared values that continue to bind our two nations,” said Consul General Aviquivil. “To the Weldon family, your act of generosity honours not only the spirit of preserving heritage but also the ideals of friendship and cultural understanding,” she added.
Representing the Weldon family, Ms. Cecille Diane Weldon delivered a heartfelt tribute to her father’s legacy and his strong connection with the Philippines. She spoke of his enduring love for history and storytelling, sharing how his vivid tales and the artefacts he collected sparked her own sense of wonder and curiosity as a child.
Ms. Weldon also reflected on how the collection not only shaped her family’s appreciation for Filipino heritage, but how it had also become a cherished part of their personal family history. She expressed her hope that through this donation, “they too have become part of the collection’s continuing story.” Ms. Weldon was joined at the ceremony by Ms. Leonie May Weldon AO and other members of the Weldon family.
Director-General Jeremy R. Barns of the National Museum of the Philippines accepted the donation, a rare and valuable gift to the nation. Mr. Barns thanked the Weldon family for entrusting the collection to the Filipino people and reaffirmed the museum’s role in its preservation and public education.
Following the messages, the signing of the Deeds of Donation and Acceptance took place, with Ms. Cecille Diane Weldon and Ms. Leonie May Weldon AO representing the family, and Director-General Barns signing on behalf of the National Museum. Consul General Aviquivil served as witness to the historic handover.
The program concluded with a lecture by Dr. Mary Jane Louise Bolunia, Curator of Archaeology at the National Museum of the Philippines, titled “The History and Development of Philippine Ceramics: Focus on Earthenware Pottery.” The presentation provided guests with deeper insights into the evolution and cultural value of Philippine ceramics.
This event, held during National Heritage Month and as part of Philippine-Australia Friendship Day celebrations, reflects the Philippines’ ongoing commitment to preserving its cultural legacy while deepening ties with longstanding partners like Australia. The Consulate remains dedicated to fostering people-to-people exchanges that enrich mutual understanding and honour the histories that connect both nations.
Photos by Marilie Bomediano
