The late Australian radio broadcaster John Laws has made a significant cultural contribution through the quiet donation of 10 artworks valued at approximately $5.5 million to the Art Gallery of New South Wales.The collection, assembled by Laws and his late wife Caroline, includes major pieces by prominent Australian and European artists.

Among the highlights are four works by impressionist figurehead John Russell, including the highly valued 'Morestil Point' (circa 1900) and 'Almond Blossom' (1887), both considered to be worth over a million dollars each.The donation also features two works by Melbourne-born artist Rupert Bunny, who achieved acclaim in Paris for his refined impressionist style.A particularly notable inclusion is a drawing of the Fish River by Brett Whiteley, one of Australia’s most celebrated modern artists.

This work was created in 1979 while Whiteley was staying at Laws’ rural property in Oberon, adding a personal connection between the broadcaster and the artist.The collection reflects both artistic significance and personal relationships built over decades.The Art Gallery of NSW will now hold and preserve the collection, strengthening its holdings of Australian impressionism and modern art.

The donation highlights Laws’ long-standing interest in visual art and his contribution to public cultural institutions, ensuring that works previously held in private hands are now accessible to the broader community.