Milner Road Foundation (MRF) was established in 2016 by Silvio Tarca (1965-2018) and his wife Lisa. We are a Private Ancillary Fund endorsed by the ATO as a Deductible Giving Recipient (Item 2) and are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC). As a Private Ancillary Fund, Milner Road Foundation is funded primarily by members of the Tarca family, though also accepts non-family member donations capped at 20% of annual donations. Between 2016 – 2019, Milner Road Foundation has funded $135K in educational programs for deserving young South Australians. A bequest from Silvio’s estate will allow the foundation to operate for a period of 20-25 years with annual grants ranging from $5-50K to organisations selected by our board.

The co-founder of the Milner Road Foundation, Silvio Tarca, was a first generation Australian and a citizen of the United States of America and the European Union. A man of science and belief in the power of education to improve lives, Silvio had a sense of purpose and responsibility in the way he lived his life. He also had a passion for learning, even from a young age. After completing an Engineering degree at The Unviversity of Adelaide, work life took him interstate and overseas. He completed two Masters degrees in Finance and Mathematics in the USA and after returning to Australia, a PhD in Applied Mathematics. 

Silvio was an active person who played Australian Rules football in his youth, later became a regular runner and skier.  He closely followed Australian, American and European politics and was always up for a policy debate.  He was close to his family and enjoyed spending time with his mum, two sisters, nieces and nephew.

Silvio’s close friends and colleagues reflected on the impact he had on their lives at his memorial service:

‘Catching up with Silvio was always a highlight, a chance to pick up the conversation, see what had now captured the attention of my friend with a deep spark for life. Silvio liked to over analyse things.  On and on, endless conversations about nothing that I always looked forward to.  There is a part of me that will keep checking my emails forever, waiting for my next instruction from Silvio.’

‘Silvio was always the voice of reason – in any way you like to think of things he was always reasonable – he was polite, moral, hard-working, academically outstanding, had a sharp dress sense and a wicked sense of humour and a real passion for social justice.’  

‘In my mind Silvio is still 25 years old running around Fraser Park, drinking beers on a Friday night, looking for the next Jazz Bar, Cafe or French Restaurant in Wellington, San Fran or Torino. Young, strong, resourceful, exploring his world and forging his direction in life.’

Silvio’s wife Lisa is now Chairperson of the Foundation, his sisters Rose and Chris and his good friend John serve on the Board of Directors.  Milner Road Foundation is operated and managed by this volunteer Board of Directors.