Sir Warwick Oswald Fairfax (19 December 1901 – 14 January 1987[1]) was an Australian businessman prominent in the arts as a philanthropist, journalist and playwright.
They grew up in Fairwater, the Fairfax family's harbourside home in Double Bay, where Lady Fairfax hosted some memorable parties, including a ball for 1000 people in 1973 to celebrate the opening of the Sydney Opera House, when guests included Rex Harrison, Rudolf Nureyev, Liberace and Imelda Marcos.
[1] In 1934 Fairfax acquired the Ure Smith publications Home and Art in Australia, and furthered their support of contemporary Australian artists.
He defended the controversial awarding of the 1943 Archibald Prize to Dobell and purchased works by leading Australian painters.
He financially backed the Kirsova Ballet company, and was a board member of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust from 1954 and vice president from 1969.