SAM Foundation chairman John Head, in his first report since being appointed last year, thanked two board members who stepped down this year: Anne McCamish and Stephen Copulos.
“Anne has been a rock of certainty and continuity over the past several years,” Mr Head said.
He said the new SAM boardroom will carry her name, in recognition of her and her husband Peter's $250 000 gift to the new museum.
Mr Head also acknowledged the contribution of Mr Copulos.
“As the creative sponsor of SAM's Tree of Giving, Stephen kick-started the fundraising for the new SAM in 2014,” Mr Head said.
He welcomed three new board directors: J Furphy and Sons managing director Adam Furphy, retired businesswoman and arts advocator Meryl Hill and Shepparton solicitor Polly Symons.
The report highlighted a $450 000 grant from the Hugh D.T. Williamson Foundation and a $500 000 grant from the William Buckland Foundation made this year, alongside a gift of $500 000 from local charity the Margaret Attwood Testamentary Trust made over the past two years.
“It's inspiring to be part of a community that can muster so much talent to promote a good cause. We know Shepparton can pull together in a crisis ... but now we are seeing people pull together to make this city a tourist destination and to improve our shared cultural and recreational life as never before, " Mr Head said.
More about the new SAM building at: New Sam funding on track SAM build hits level three