Some stories of generosity begin with a single act of charity. The Boileau Family Foundation’s story begins somewhere far older and far more personal - with a family that arrived in Australia with almost nothing, built something remarkable from the ground up, and has spent decades quietly giving back to the city that made it all possible.
A Journey That Shaped a Philosophy
In October 1956, a young girl fled Soviet-occupied Hungary with her mother and sister during the Hungarian Revolution. She arrived in Australia in 1957 as a refugee - one of thousands displaced by a conflict she hadn’t chosen, in a country she was still learning to call home.
That girl was Angelique Boileau.
The experience of displacement - of depending entirely on the generosity of others - left a permanent mark. It instilled in her a conviction that those who find their footing have a responsibility to reach back for those who haven’t yet found theirs. It’s a belief that has shaped everything that followed.
Building a Business. Building a Legacy.
After a career as a flight attendant with Ansett Airlines and a series of roles across Melbourne, Angelique and her husband Michael returned to South Australia in 1989 to establish what would become Boileau Business Technology - the sole authorised Rank Xerox dealership in the state. Over 35 years, the business grew into a respected South Australian institution, expanding far beyond photocopiers to become a leading provider of managed ICT services and technology solutions.
Throughout that time, philanthropy wasn’t an afterthought. From early on, the Boileaus were channelling their business success into the South Australian community - supporting the arts, backing conservation efforts, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with organisations working to address homelessness and disadvantage. Their first philanthropic partnership with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra began over 22 years ago, sparked by a chance dinner at the Adelaide Zoo rotunda. From that moment, giving became as much a part of the Boileau identity as the business itself.
A New Chapter Begins
In early 2024, an unexpected turn of events brought that chapter to a close - and opened a new one. The South Australian Government compulsorily acquired Boileau’s iconic Cowandilla premises under the Land Acquisition Act, as part of the upgrade of the Sir Donald Bradman Drive and Marion Road intersection. With their landmark building gone, and no suitable replacement, Michael and Angelique made the decision to sell the business to Viatek South Australia - a trusted Fujifilm partner - ensuring continuity for their staff and clients.
What emerged from that difficult moment was something they had long envisioned, just sooner than expected: the Boileau Family Foundation.
Joined by their daughters Danielle and Melanie, Michael and Angelique established the Foundation in 2024 with a clear and enduring purpose - to formalise and deepen the philanthropic work they had been doing for decades, and to ensure it continues in perpetuity. As Angelique put it at the time: “Without the success of the business and the wonderful business community who supported us during the past years, we would not have been able to give back so much to the community and the less fortunate in our society.”
Three Pillars. Five Partners.
The Foundation’s work is organised around three core areas of focus - People, Animals, and Arts - each reflecting long-held values rather than abstract strategy.
The Foundation supports people in need through partnerships with organisations working at the coalface of homelessness and disadvantage in South Australia. Their relationship with Hutt Street Centre spans many years, backing the organisation’s work to support South Australians experiencing homelessness. Their partnership with St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) runs equally deep - Angelique participated in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout for 12 consecutive years, a commitment born of a genuine understanding of what it means to lack security and shelter.
For animals, the Foundation supports Zoos SA, contributing to vital conservation programs that protect endangered species - including the Save the White Rhino program - from extinction.
In the arts, the Foundation backs two of South Australia’s most significant cultural organisations. Their relationship with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra - as a World Artist Partner - has been one of the longest in their philanthropic journey. They also support the Australian Dance Theatre, championing the continuation of contemporary performance in the state.
These aren’t arm’s-length grant relationships. They are partnerships built over years, in some cases decades, with organisations the Boileau family knows intimately and cares about deeply.
A Foundation Built to Last
The Boileau Family Foundation is not a transactional entity. It doesn’t broker donations or hold funds on behalf of the public. Instead, it operates as a vehicle for raising awareness and connecting supporters to each of its five partner charities - helping direct generosity to where it can make the most difference.
What sets it apart is its grounding. Behind every partnership and every cause is a story: of a young refugee who never forgot what it felt like to need help; of a family that built a business with the explicit intention of giving back; of daughters stepping into a tradition of generosity they grew up watching.
The name Boileau has stood for something in South Australia for over 35 years. The Foundation ensures it continues to - not as a brand or a business, but as a legacy of care for the people, animals, and cultural life of this state.
To learn more about the Boileau Family Foundation’s partner charities and how you can support their work, visit the Who We Support page.
