30 June 2025
Among the many stories of generosity and artistic growth captured in the new book The Joy of Giving: The story of James & Diana Ramsay by author Roy Eccleston, one moment stands out as a vivid example of the powerful impact the foundation has had for the Helpmann Academy. The breakout chapter, Capturing Ideas on Film, shares the experience of emerging film-maker Tim Carlier. Carlier’s story illustrates just how transformative support from the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation—delivered through the Helpmann Academy—can be in the life of an emerging artist.
Carlier, a self-described surrealist with a flair for absurdist comedy, credits a 2019 Helpmann Fellowship as a major turning point in his development. The fellowship enabled him to participate in a Berlin-based experimental film course and an artist residency in Sofia, Bulgaria—experiences that would profoundly shape his cinematic voice. This professional development opportunity was made possible through the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation’s remarkable ongoing support of the Helpmann Fellowships, which over the years have funded 23 fellowships across multiple disciplines.
The book describes Carlier’s distinct creative style—a blend of science fiction, surrealism, and playful comedy—and highlights how the fellowship helped him take that style seriously, giving him the space and confidence to experiment and evolve. That confidence was especially critical during a period of artistic uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, Carlier produced Where Do Ideas Come From, a six-minute short that humorously explores the mysteries of creative inspiration. Developed for Helpmann Academy’s 2020 Home Alone Film Fest, the film reflected both the resourcefulness and inventiveness that the Fellowships help to unlock.
What shines through most clearly in Carlier’s story—and in Eccleston’s retelling of it—is the deeply personal nature of this kind of support. Carlier reflects that Helpmann Academy’s belief in him as an artist, rather than a product or project, was game-changing. “Helpmann has always been interested in the artists—who you are, what you’re doing, and their belief in your growth,” he says.
“Knowing that there was an organisation who really believed in what I had to say, and what my vision was, is huge.”
Film-maker Tim Carlier, Helpmann Fellowship recipient 2019
Tim Carlier in action.
Today, Carlier is an accomplished creative whose debut feature film Paco premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival in 2023. With a résumé that includes roles in major productions such as the TV series Wolf Creek and Pine Gap, and an ever-growing catalogue of his own experimental works, he is living proof of how strategic support at a crucial moment can launch a flourishing career.
Helpmann Academy is proud to see Carlier’s journey shared in Eccleston’s powerful book—a lasting tribute to James and Diana Ramsay’s extraordinary legacy. Through their generosity, the foundation has not only supported individual artists like Carlier, but also contributed to a richer, more diverse artistic future for South Australia.
Copies of The Joy of Giving: The Story of James & Diana Ramsay are available for purchase from select suppliers, including the Art Gallery of South Australia store.
PHILANTHROPOIC PARTNER
Helpmann Academy is proudly supported by the James & Diana Ramsay Foundation.
Images: supplied by Tim Carlier and James & Diana Ramsay Foundation.