NATIONAL TRUST - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Regional Manager, South
Job Titles:
- Executive and Strategic Advisor
Anna joined the Trust in 2018 as the Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer, Simon Ambrose. In less than a year, Anna moved into the newly created Senior Management position as the Trust's Executive and Strategic Advisor. Anna acts as a strategic partner to, and advisor for the CEO and Executive Team, as they work to execute key strategic Initiatives, while importantly increasing the CEO's reach of engagement with imperative Political, Philanthropic and Industry based leaders.
Anna brings a diverse wealth of arts, cultural and administrative experience with her, having completed a Master of Arts Administration, Curating and Cultural Leadership, a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts, majoring in Photography, along with having worked in both private and public galleries, and arts and cultural institutions.
Job Titles:
- Executive Manager Collections & Cultural Projects
Annette joined the Trust in 2020. A qualified historian, museum curator and art educator, Annette has extensive managerial and curatorial experience within the heritage and cultural sectors.
She curated major exhibitions for the National Centre for Australian Studies, Monash University and the Australian Racing Museum and is the author of numerous publications including ‘Samples to Showbags: The Creation of an Australian Icon', Bonzer: Australian Comics 1900 - 1990s and Fundraising, Flirtation and Fancywork: Charity Bazaars in Nineteenth Century Australia. Annette is a Board Member of the History Council of Victoria and Vice President of the Ephemera Society of Australia, and was a Committee Member of Museums Australia (Victoria).
Annette is passionate about connecting and empowering people and communities to create investigative and inclusive projects, which will see the Trust's collections, places and stories enriched for future generations.
Job Titles:
- Member of the HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the HERITAGE COMMITTEE
- President
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Director, Bushland Management
Job Titles:
- Member of the HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Job Titles:
- Member of the HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Job Titles:
- South City Properties & Gardens Manager
Justin joined the Trust as a Qualified Gardener in 1999. In that time he has held various roles across the organisation, including Manager of Horticulture and Projects and Rippon Lea Head Gardener.
Currently, Justin oversees the management of all National Trust gardens across Victoria while also managing the heritage sites Rippon Lea, Como, Labassa and Glenfern. Justin is particularly interested in building close connections with the local community to develop the key role heritage will play in our cities and towns of the future.
Job Titles:
- Member of the HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Job Titles:
- Member of the TOURS & EVENTS COMMITTEE
- Vice President
Biography
Maddison is a Darug woman and academic at the University of Melbourne. She has extensive experience in cultural heritage, working in archaeology and cultural heritage policy. Currently her research looks at ways of knowing Country, working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge holders to care for Country. She is a Councilor with the Biodiversity Council, and an alternate member of the Heritage Council of Victoria. Maddi was a participant in the inaugural Joan Kirner Emerging Leaders Program.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Archaeology (La Trobe University)
Master of Professional Archaeology (La Trobe University)
Job Titles:
- Member of the HERITAGE COMMITTEE
- Member of the TOURS & EVENTS COMMITTEE
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the TOURS & EVENTS COMMITTEE
Job Titles:
- Member of the TOURS & EVENTS COMMITTEE
Qualifications
B Ec (Monash), LLB (Monash), GAICD
Experience
Andrew is an experienced corporate lawyer and is a partner of Colin Biggers & Paisley law firm.
Director, National Trust of Australia (Victoria) (January 2022 - present)
Director, WTFN Entertainment (2005 - present)
Chair, WTFN Entertainment (2016 - present)
Director, WTFN Entertainment (2005 - 2016)
Director, Real Estate Agent Select (October 2017 - present)
Director, Intrax Consulting Engineers (2018 - present)
Director, Cargotec Advanced Australia (December 2021 - present)
Biography
Barry moved to Australia from the UK in 1969. After becoming the Fashion controller for the Myer Group for all stores in NSW, he took on the role as Marketing Director of a Pacific Dunlop subsidiary, Osti Fashions, and then Marketing Director of Merv Brown Pty Ltd. In 1996, after the sale of his Facilities Property Management company that he created in 1980, Barry's business interests moved to entertainment and theatrical production, encompassing the Athenaeum Theatre, the Comedy Club and the Australian Shakespeare Company.
Barry has developed a significant presence in a variety of charitable and not-for-profit sectors, including President for the Victorian Aids Council, and more recently having joined the board of, Melbourne Opera, the Foundation Board of The National Gallery of Victoria, and the Foundation Board of Monash Health.
Barry believes in giving back to society through philanthropy. Together with his husband Paul Cross, they are major donors to the NGV, are Patrons of the Princes' Trust in Australia and supporters of the ACMD medical research facility, and Como Reimagined; contributing to the renovations of Como House, South Yarra. Barry is also a Trustee of Como House and a Foundation Board member of the National Trust of Victoria.
Qualifications
Batchelor of Economics at Hong Kong University (University of Cambridge syllabus).
Bruce Pettman's areas of expertise cover building and urban conservation, including the protection, repair, adaptation and adaptive reuse of culturally significant buildings and sites.
He is currently the Director Heritage, Environment & Planning for NSW Public Works, and has 47 years professional experience as an architect and heritage architect.
Since 1993 Bruce has also provided heritage conservation capacity building and the delivery of heritage projects in various parts of Asia for the World Bank, UNESCO, government agencies, NGOs and private sector. In 2003 he received a Centenary of Federation Medal for services to the conservation of historic buildings. In 2022 he received the National Trust's Lifetime Achievement Award.
As a new member of the Board of Directors for 2023, he sought election to "continue in a voluntary capacity my involvement in built heritage. I am always pleased to contribute heritage advice and technical expertise across the state."
David Collingridge has enjoyed two careers. His first, in the Royal Australian Navy from 1962-1990 was initially operational as an aviator and then ashore and at sea in both operational and training tasks. Later leadership roles were centred in Canberra on Naval Air Warfare policy and lastly as Director of Naval Personnel Planning.
His second career was a leadership role as Executive Director of a medium size management consultancy in Sydney, assisting clients in NSW Government agencies with business improvement services between 1990 and 2011, including an instrumental role in establishing the operations of the RTA's new Transport Management Centre in Redfern, to meet the deadlines of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Having joined the National Trust in 1993, David's interests in heritage matters were kindled by both the National Trust's endeavours in Sydney and the properties of the NSW Historic Houses Trust (now Sydney Living Museums). David joined the Southern Highland Branch Committee in 2014 and was a member of the Golden Vale Management Committee before his current role as a volunteer with the Collections Team at Retford Park, since November 2017.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Member of the National Trust ( NSW ) FARM Committee
David Pratt was born in Sydney with a family line that goes back to the very early days of colonial settlement. This and his keen interest in Australian history, architecture and horticulture are what aligns him to the National Trust (NSW).
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants with a Masters of Economics degree from Macquarie University. His extensive career as a partner at PwC in management consultancy; specialising in restructuring, risk and financial management optimisation, are the skills and knowledge he brings to the leadership team of the National Trust.
David Pratt has been a member of the National Trust (NSW) FARM Committee since 2018, has been a Director and Treasurer of the Australasian Pioneers' Club since 2015 and was previously a Director and Treasurer of the Arthritis Foundation of NSW for over 10 years.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Non - Executive Director
Biography
Jason has more than 28 years experience in the Financial Services sector, including over 20 years working in the Australian Banking industry covering multiple sectors. He is currently Westpac Institutional Bank's Global Head of Public Sector, and leads a team of specialised banking professionals who service the needs of the Commonwealth, State/Territory and Local Governments, including State-Owned Corporations, Government Business Enterprises and Governments' globally. Prior to joining Westpac, Jason worked with the Commonwealth Bank for over 13 years, in addition to time spent at Perpetual Trustees and Deloitte.
Jason is currently a Non-executive Director on the Board of Barwon Water. He was most recently a Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chair of South East Water, Chair of their Finance Assurance and Risk Management Committee, and a Director of Iota Services Pty Ltd. He has previously been a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee of Lower Murray Urban and Rural Water Authority.
Qualifications
BCom (Deakin), LLB (Deakin), GAICD
Qualifications
Bachelor of Economics,
Grad. Dip. Librarianship,
Grad. Dip. Business (Management),
Grad. Dip. Finance & Investment.
Experience
Jock is a librarian and was Director Collections at the University of Melbourne Library 2008 - 2013. Prior to that he worked in several positions at the State Library of Victoria 1991 - 2008. In these roles, he was responsible for the two libraries acquiring a number of nationally significant heritage collections. He is currently semi-retired and is a Cultural Gifts Program valuer.
Trust Experience & Special Responsibilities
Director 1977 to 1987 and again since 2015.
Member Finance & Audit Committee since 2015.
Member Collections & Programming Committee since 2015.
Chair Governance & Risk Committee since 2016.
Director, Australian Council of National Trusts since 2015.
Qualifications
MBA (Distinction) (University of Oxford)
LLB (University of Melbourne)
BEng (Civil) (University of Melbourne)
Grad Dip Leg Prac (College of Law)
Experience
Australian lawyer and Barrister at the Victorian Bar, with experience in planning and heritage law.
Current positions
Chair, National Trusts of Australia, 2022 onwards
Director of the Law Council of Australia, 2020 onwards
Director of Bromleigh Capital, 2018 onwards
Director FIA Australia, 2020 onwards
Director of Ys Housing, 2021 onwards
Director National Trust of Victoria Foundation, 2019 onwards
Previous positions
Commonwealth Treasury Adviser
Solicitor
Luton is a legal professional with a strong accounting background and substantial experience in banking and financial services. Admitted to practice as a solicitor by the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia, Luton works predominantly in commercial law, corporations law, banking and finance, and commercial disputes and litigation.
His wide experience in banking, investment banking, and consultancy, has given Luton an intuitive understanding of business processes, security arrangements, compliance and regulation, securities law, market licensing and taxation. Luton is uniquely placed to identify commercial drivers and risks.
Luton has a keen personal interest in conservation and heritage.
Job Titles:
- Board Director
- Cisco Systems Vice President of Global Campaigns
Mark Phibbs is currently Cisco Systems Vice President of Global Campaigns, Content and Industries. With a strong focus on customer centricity, Mark brings the customer to the center of everything. Mark has 30 years of international IT experience, having worked in Asia Pacific, Japan and China and held senior marketing executive roles with Adobe, Microsoft and IBM.
Mark is a passionate advocate of digital marketing and the increasingly important role the marketing function plays in digital disruption and customer experience. He also has a passion for heritage and the built environment and the vital role both play in our quality of life and our sense community.
Mark has a Bachelor of Business Degree from the University of Technology, Sydney and has completed Business Management courses with the Kellogg School of Management, Wharton Business School and the Haas School of Business Berkeley in the United States. Mark is a Fellow of the Marketing Academy.
Qualifications
BA (Hons.) History (University of East Anglia)
MA, History (University of West London)
Grad Dip Management Studies (Brunel University)
Grad Dip Architecture History & Conservation (University of Melbourne)
Experience
Cultural heritage professional with extensive experience across the government and not-for-profit sectors, managing heritage places and working with the community at Heritage Victoria, the National Trust and Parks Victoria.
Bill Oates is an archivist and until recently worked for 17 years as the University of New England's Archivist. During this tenure he was also the Director of the University's Heritage Centre and gained extensive experience in museums administration, volunteer programmes, community outreach, grant projects and supporting the conservation of one of the most prestigious State Heritage listed mansions in rural Australia.
Bill currently works for the Department of Regional NSW. After growing up in the Central West, he is acutely aware of the issues that confront regional and remote heritage sites and finding efficient and affordable solutions for the largely volunteer organisations responsible for protecting this heritage. As a new member of the Board of Directors for 2023, he sought election to provide a voice on the Board for country NSW.
Job Titles:
- Board Director
- ( NSW ) Board
The National Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of Alison Page to its Board.More
Alison Page is a descendant of the Dharawal and Yuin people and an award-winning designer and film producer. She is currently Associate Dean (Indigenous Leadership and Engagement) at UTS Faculty of Design, Architecture & Building, and a member of several cultural boards including the National Australia Day Council, Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, and the National Museum of Australia's Indigenous Reference Group.
She is the founder of the National Aboriginal Design Agency and in 2015 she was inducted into the Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame and in 2022 was the Interior Design Excellence Awards Gold Medal winner. Alison was a panelist for eight years on the ABC television program The New Inventors, which showcased Australian innovation and has previously served on numerous boards, including the Indigenous Land Corporation, the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, and the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Job Titles:
- Board Director
- Is Director
Caroline Mackaness is Director, NSW Government and her previous appointments include being a Committee Member, Hunters Hill Trust; and Member of the ANZAC House Trust. She is a sixth generation Sydney-sider who is passionate about Australian history, heritage and the natural environment.
Throughout her extensive career in NSW Government she has been responsible for some of the state's most significant heritage places, delivering government policy and programs focused on community outcomes, including the development, management and operation of heritage and cultural facilities, delivery of major cultural projects, capital works and governance.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Chartered Accountant
- Chief Executive Officer at the National Trust of Australia
Debbie Mills was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at the National Trust of Australia (NSW) in August 2017 following an extensive career as an executive leader at PwC and Caltex Australia. At Caltex Australia she took a lead role in the Climate Change team working on the strategy and implementation plan to ensure the business was ready to meet its obligations under any proposed and existing Climate Change legislation.
Prior to joining the National Trust (NSW), Debbie was the Executive Officer at Friends of the Botanic Gardens Inc. and became significantly involved in the merger of Friends with the Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation, and was appointed CEO of Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens Ltd in July 2012. This role gave Debbie exposure to many environment and heritage issues and importantly experience with members and volunteers.
Debbie Mills is a Chartered Accountant and has also been on the Board of Directors of a charity that looks after re-homing lost and abandoned animals. She brings her passion for conservation of heritage, culture and the arts, the environment and animal welfare to her role.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Chartered Accountant
- Director
- Finance
Biography
Jodi is a chartered accountant and finance professional with extensive experience across a broad range of sectors and industries.
Jodi began her career in external audit at Ernst & Young prior to transitioning to industry where she held prominent roles leading finance functions.
Jodi is currently an associate director within the Finance Advisory service group at KPMG where she supports CFO's by offering crucial technical accounting advice, strategic counsel on financial matters, and spearheading process improvements. Beyond her professional endeavors, Jodi is committed to community and social impact and has been actively engaged in numerous volunteering roles throughout her career including the Young Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce.
Qualifications
Registered Chartered Accountant (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants)
Bachelor of Commerce Honours - Accounting (University of Johannesburg)
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting (University of Johannesburg)
Job Titles:
- President of the Board
- Program Leader With Odyssey Traveller and Has Led Groups of Australian
In December 2022, Kathryn Pitkin was elected as President of the National Trust of Australia (NSW). In 2020 Kathryn joined the Board of the National Trust and became a member of the Finance and Risk Management Committee because of her appreciation of the work of volunteers in Trust Properties and Branches. Kathryn believes in the vision and objectives of the National Trust NSW, and is committed to the good governance of organisations, especially those handling public money.
Kathryn Pitkin was a teacher of English and History in NSW Secondary Schools for Department of Education. She then joined TAFENSW and was a teacher of Communication and English. She was a Head Teacher then Campus Manager of Bathurst, Walgett and Lightning Ridge campuses of the Western Institute of TAFENSW until her retirement and relocation to Newcastle in 2004.
From 2002 to 2010, Kathryn managed OzScot Australia, an Australia-wide company of Highland dancers, who performed at Military Tattoos in Edinburgh, Switzerland, Oman, Canada, USA, Korea and Australia.
Since 2016, Kathryn Pitkin has worked as a Program Leader with Odyssey Traveller and has led groups of Australian travellers to Ireland, Scotland & the Scottish Isles, Spain & Portugal, South Africa, Bhutan, Iceland & Greenland, Houses and Gardens of the Blue Mountains, and Wildflowers of WA. During COVID she wrote travel articles for the Odyssey Traveller website.
She previously held positions such as Deputy Chancellor of Charles Sturt University and Deputy Chair of the Council and Chair of the University's Finance Committee.
She was Treasurer then Chair of National Trust's Miss Porter's House from 2009-2014.
In 2014 Kathryn was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Charles Sturt University and in 2016, she was awarded an AM.
For love, Kathryn plays the Celtic harp and is part of a harp trio which plays in Newcastle and the Hunter.
Job Titles:
- Deputy President
- Member of the Board
- Specialist
Lisa Newell is a heritage specialist, heritage consultant, museum curator, archaeologist and town planner. She has worked for heritage conservation for over 30 years, and is currently a Principal Strategic Planner and heritage specialist with Hornsby Shire Council.
Lisa's long association with the National Trust began as a member of the Industrial Archaeology Committee when she was the Curator, Engineering at the Powerhouse Museum from 1984 to 1991. The association continued when she moved to the Department of Planning (Heritage Branch) as an archaeologist, policy developer and senior planner.
Qualifications
Ruth has extensive experience as an arts and cultural professional focusing on heritage and community engagement. With a BA and Masters of Garden and Landscape History, Ruth is Founding Director of Arts & Gardens; former Chairman of Outdoor Arts UK; Senior Festival Programmer, Southbank Centre (London); Arts Producer, Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts; and Robert Blackwood Hall. Ruth is a member of the Trust's Landscape Reference Group.
Experience
Ruth has experience in governance, fundraising, cultural strategic planning, and she ‘welcomes the opportunity to serve the National Trust, its membership, and to advance inspiring cultural programs in National Trust heritage settings'.
Biography
Sarah is a communications professional with extensive experience in marketing, corporate communications, content development, stakeholder engagement and media relations for global organisations. She is currently Chief Communications Officer and on the executive management team for ASX-listed logistics company Brambles Ltd, and has previously held roles with Foster's Group, Qantas and BBC Worldwide and began her career as a journalist at the Herald Sun.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) RMIT University
Currently Director of the State Library of New South Wales Foundation and an ex -officio Board member on the C. B. Alexander Foundation, Susan was a former member of Alumni Council, University of Sydney.
Throughout her career, Susan has held prominent roles in historic site management, arts administration and cultural programming including as the Deputy Director of the Historic Houses Trust of NSW (now Sydney Living Museums).
Suzette is a passionate heritage advocate with expertise in community engagement and campaigns. In addition to her career in construction project management, she is a dedicated volunteer, ensuring our built and natural heritage is preserved, through advocacy, education and tourism, for all to enjoy.
Suzette has been a strong voice for Greater Sydney heritage, in particular Parramatta. She is currently the Spokesperson for Alliance for Public Parklands, Heritage Advisory Committee Member for City of Parramatta and Stronger Communities Grant Selection Committee Member for Federal Government.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Regional Manager, North
Job Titles:
- Member of the HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Interim Chief Executive Officer
- Commercial CFO
Philip is a commercial CFO with a diverse range of experience across many industries, SME and corporate organisations. CPA qualified since 2002, he holds both a Bachelor of Business degree from La Trobe University and a Bachelor of Sports Science degree from Victoria University.
Having started his career in chartered accounting in his hometown of Bendigo, he then spent several years working in Europe in senior finance positions at organisations including Universal Pictures and Marsh Insurance, before returning to Australia in 2006 where he spent ten years at NAB in both senior finance and business transformation roles.
In April 2017, he became the APAC CFO of the Swedish private equity backed payments company Bambora where he led the transformation of the finance function in Australia, and transition of that team to new owners in France upon sale of the business in November of that same year.
Before joining the National Trust, Philip spent three years as the CFO of Brad Teal Real Estate in Melbourne, where he helped guide that business through the challenging market downturn in 2018 and played a crucial role in helping the business navigate its way successfully through the COVID-19 pandemic and sale of the business in April 2021.
Philip also plays an active role in the community in his pro bono role as founding board member and CFO of the Live for Lily Foundation, a local not-for-profit charity which has raised over $1.2m for childhood cancer research and awareness since 2016, something he is extremely passionate about. He is also a passionate photographer, and uses his photography to raise money for local charities and worthy causes.
Outside of work, Philip has a passion for travel, loves spending time with wife and three young boys and loves to keep active and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Philip commenced as Interim CEO on 15 February 2024 following the departure of Simon Ambrose.
Job Titles:
- Executive Manager, Conservation & Advocacy
- Registered Architect
Samantha joined the Trust in her capacity as a Conservation Architect in 2014 and has worked in the Executive team since 2016. In 2023 she was appointed the Executive Manager, Conservation and Advocacy.
Samantha is a registered architect with over 25 years experience of working in the heritage industry with involvement in all aspects of professional heritage architecture services including work in State and Local Government as well as private practice.
Since working as the Conservation Architect for the National Trust Samantha has gained an understanding of the key role the Trust can play in supporting and advocating for owners and managers of heritage places. With over 40 heritage places in their care, Samantha sees the National Trust property portfolio as an important advocacy tool where we can demonstrate conservation practice, share our experiences and provide learning opportunities for a wide audience and for all types of heritage processes.
Samantha is also passionate about breaking down the negative perceptions around heritage, so it is not seen as a barrier but as an opportunity to enrich a project and something to be embraced and enjoyed, rather than feared.
Job Titles:
- Member of the TOURS & EVENTS COMMITTEE
- Treasurer
Secretary - vacant - please write to the Trust Manager at info@nationaltrustact.org.au
Sherredan joined the Trust in 2007 as a volunteer at Rippon Lea after completing a Bachelor of Arts at La Trobe University. After holding various property managers roles, in 2016 Sherredan became the Trust's Asset Manager and became responsible for all sites across Victoria. Recently Sherredan was appointed Assets and Conservation Manager and now looks after repairs and maintenance, conservation projects and operations across various sites.
Job Titles:
- Head
- Head Office of the National Trust of Australia ( Victoria )
One of the finest examples of a nineteenth-century three-storey terrace house in Australia, Tasma Terrace was built in 1879 for wealthy grain merchant George Nipper as a stylish guest house and family home. Facing demolition and replacement with hi-rise towers in 1970, this beautiful and unique building was saved through the advocacy of the National Trust.