Stuart David Challender, AO (1947 - 1991) was an Australian conductor, known particularly for his work with The Australian Opera, Elizabethan Sydney Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Born in Hobart to June Driscoll and David Challender, he expressed a talent for music at a young age. By age 15 he was an accomplished clarinetist, was conducting and composing music, and performing as principal clarinet in two Hobart Orchestras. Challender completed his high schooling at New Town High, Hobart, and Matriculation College, before winning two scholarships to attend the Melbourne Conservatorium. In Melbourne he worked as an assistant to the musical conductor of the Victorian Opera Company from 1964-1968. Challender pursued his musical career in Europe, studying conducting in Hamburg and Sienna before holding musical appointments in Lucerne, Basle, Nurnberg and Zurich. He then took up positions as Resident conductor at the Municipal Theatre in Lucerne and at the Opera House in Basle. Returning to Australia in 1980 Challender was concurrently Resident Conductor with the Australian Opera and Artistic Director of the Seymour Group. In 1987 he was appointed Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Challender undertook a wide range of guest conductor roles overseas for example with the Royal Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the San Diego Opera. His last concert was performed with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in Hobart in 1991. He died later that year. His death was widely reported due to both the significant loss to the community as well as to his diagnosis as HIV positive. His records reflect public reaction and sympathy. In his will, Challender provided for the establishment of the Stuart Challender Foundation, to aid the training and development of future Australian conductors. He bequeathed his extensive collection of scores to the Music Library at the University of Tasmania.