Governance

FRRR is a company limited by guarantee, with our Members being the Australian Government and the Sidney Myer Fund. The organisation is a specifically listed Item 1 DGR entity in legislation (see ATO endorsement), which we describe as our superpower. This allows us to facilitate tax deductible giving and allowing funding to reach community groups and can support the thousands of not-for-profits across remote, rural, and regional Australia that don’t have DGR status and are unable to access the majority of philanthropic funding.
 
In every action, FRRR seeks to further our vision – in our grant-making to not-for-profit organisations, conduit funding partnerships, insights, choice of investments and choice of donor partners. FRRR acknowledges the tensions that exist in the social, economic, cultural, and environmental opportunities and threats to remote, rural, and regional communities. We act with ethical exclusions, and positive screens – and take steps to consider and articulate how each of our choices contributes to positive social, environmental, cultural and economic change across remote, rural, and regional Australia.

We do this by leveraging a variety of tools and expertise in line with the objects set out in our Constitution, which allow us to:

  • Promote, for the public benefit, rural renewal, regeneration and development in Australia in social, economic, environmental, and cultural areas.
  • Add value to the work of rural organisations to resolve regional development issues at a national and local level.
  • Strengthen regional capacity for growth, development, and adjustment in the context of national and global change.
  • Develop new ideas and methods through thinking, researching, debating, testing, and informing to address issues facing regional and rural Australia.
  • Strengthen the regional and rural voice to ensure vigorous regional and rural participation in national growth and development.
  • Provide facilitation services to assist groups to lead and face change so that regional and local communities can choose paths to their futures.
  • Raise money and other resources (both tax deductible and non-tax deductible) for the operation of the national body and the funding of national services and programs to resource rural Australia.
  • Raise money and other resources (both tax deductible and non-tax deductible) for direct use by regions for projects and/or seed funding for local capacity building and funding bodies.
  • Provide expertise and support to local and regional bodies to assist them to raise funds for local capacity building projects and initiatives.

FRRR’s Board of Directors exercises the powers vested in it by the Corporations Law and the Company’s Constitution. The Board is directly responsible to its members for the long-term health and prosperity of the Company. Our financial reports are independently audited to confirm our financial processes meet all statutory requirements.

FRRR’s policies and practices provide the framework which enables the Board’s principal role to be achieved while ensuring that FRRR activities are conducted ethically and in accordance with the law, including well managed and transparent annual financial statements.

The Board charts the direction of FRRR and monitors management’s performance. Its responsibilities include:

  • Setting the vision and providing strategic direction, ensuring there is rigorous analysis and substantiation of thinking supporting the strategy and reviewing the effective implementation of the strategy.
  • Establishing and maintaining appropriate governance structures, including evaluating the performance of Directors, appropriate audit & risk management, etc.
  • Ensuring resources are available to achieve the Company’s strategic plan and its annual business plans and budgets.
  • Regularly monitoring the Company’s operational key performance indicators and its financial performance against these plans and budgets.
  • Identifying and recommending an appropriate Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and reviewing the performance of the CEO.
  • Ensuring that the Company’s financial and other reporting mechanisms result in adequate, accurate and timely information being provided to the Board.
  • Ensuring significant business and other risks to the Company are identified and appropriately managed and adequate internal controls are in place.
  • Ratifying the appointment, removal and remuneration of direct reports to the CEO.
  • Monitoring management’s activities and performance to ensure the strategic plan and direction are being achieved.
  • Ensuring the Company’s Occupation, Health and Safety (OH&S) policies and processes are clearly articulated, that all employees are adequately trained in them, and that there is continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure OH&S risks are proactively identified and mitigated.
  • Ensuring the Company’s activities are conducted ethically and transparently through setting business standards and codes of ethical behaviour.

The Board is advised by a number of committees:

  • Nominations and Appointments committee – responsible for Board and CEO recruitment;
  • Finance and Audit (F&A) Committee – oversees all aspects of financial investment and management of the Foundation;
  • Outback Advisory Board – Work will commence in 2025 to appoint this board to help FRRR strengthen and grow support for outback communities;
  • Program Advisory Committees – Chaired by an FRRR Director, these committees comprise other Directors, partners, community representatives and / or subject matter experts. They consider the grant assessments undertaken by staff and recommend projects to fund; and
  • WA Advisory Board – a group of highly respected people that FRRR calls on to guide our activities in WA.

Explore our most recent Financial Statements lodged with ACNC.

Tim Fairfax AC

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Georgie Somerset AM

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Sue Middleton

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Amy Crawford

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Donna Digby

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James Flintoft

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Anne Grindrod

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Kylie Hansen

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David Hardie

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David Mackay

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FRRR is fortunate to have a number of highly respected people as our Patrons. Traditionally, our Patron in Chief is the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. Other current Patrons include the Hon John Anderson AC, as well as founding retired board members the Rt Hon Ian Sinclair AC and Bill Kelty AC.

Ms Sam Mostyn AC

Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Patron in Chief
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The Right Honourable Ian Sinclair AC

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Bill Kelty AC

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Hon. John Anderson AC

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Amy Crawford

Amy Crawford has an extensive career in complex public policy and its intersection across government and communities.

Amy is the Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), representing 537 councils across the nation. Amy holds over 20 years’ experience in the Australian Public Service. She has a deep understanding of federal government policies and structures, with over 10 years’ service in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and has worked for the federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. Amy has shaped a wide range of policies and programs including regional development, telecommunications, immigration, emergency management, social policy and pandemic preparation.

Amy is a Board Director of Austroads and represents ALGA on the Public Skills Australia Industry Advisory Group, and the Australia-New Zealand Emergency Management Committee. She is also a Board Director for the Canberra Youth Theatre which provides voice for Canberra’s youth through intelligent and challenging theatre.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Laws (honours) and Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) from the University of Queensland, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an alumnus of the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership. Amy was appointed to the FRRR Board in January 2025.

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Kylie Hansen

Kylie brings leadership and management experience from across academic, corporate, not-for-profit, social enterprise and impact investment sectors, having deep dived into a myriad of specialisations and systems. Her six tertiary qualifications are equally as diverse and complimentary, covering commerce, politics, international development, community development, project management and law. Her breadth and depth of experience enables her to draw on a number of disciplines and innovative ways of working and thinking, and she is well recognised as consistently delivering work and services of a high quality.

Kylie uses her strong background in sustainability, governance and impact measurement to support collaborative initiatives across sectors oriented at improving social outcomes, and to support socially conscientious businesses to articulate their social impact. As founder and director at Impact Seed she has been instrumental in developing the impact measurement, evaluation, learning and ESG practice which advises numerous corporates, and is passionate about supporting First Nations empowerment particularly in the context of regional economic development.

Kylie is also a Director of the WA Social Enterprise Council, a member of the B Council (B Lab Australia and New Zealand), and a Governor of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

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Hon. John Anderson AC

The Hon. John Anderson AC is a sixth-generation farmer and grazier from NSW, who served in the Australian Parliament from 1989 to 2008.

He was a senior Cabinet minister in the government led by John Howard (1996 to 2005), including six years as Leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister.

In the latter role, Mr Anderson played in important role in FRRR’s history, working closely with Baillieu Myer AC and others on a proposal to establish a philanthropic organisation to benefit rural Australia. The concept was discussed at the National Regional Summit in 1999 and FRRR was established shortly thereafter.

Mr Anderson currently hosts a regular podcast, where he is in conversation with thought-leaders from around the world, and is a regular media commentator.

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Regina Cruickshank

Partnerships Specialist (WA)

Regina supports FRRR as the WA Partnerships Specialist. With over two decades of experience in partnerships and marketing, she has a deep understanding of Western Australia’s social impact landscape. She brings a strong passion for leveraging purpose-built networks to create positive change.

Regina previously worked with Playgroup WA and founded a Health Promotion Charity dedicated to supporting Social Emotional wellbeing for underserved communities. She’s excited about the opportunity to connect with partners and explore ways to make a meaningful difference in WA.

She lives in Perth with her family and enjoys mindful moments of connection to Country, whether on horseback, on foot or underwater.

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Ms Sam Mostyn AC

Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Patron in Chief

Ms Sam Mostyn AC was sworn in as Australia’s 28th Governor-General on 1 July 2024. 

A businesswoman and community leader, Ms Mostyn is known for her exceptional service to the Australian community. She has a long history in executive and governance roles across diverse sectors, including business, sport, climate change, the arts, policy and not-for-profit.

In 2024, Ms Mostyn was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service in the social justice, gender equity, sporting, cultural and business sectors, to reconciliation, and to environmental sustainability. She had previously been appointed an Officer of the Order in 2021.

For her continued contribution as an advocate for gender inclusion and equality, sustainability, and climate change action, Ms Mostyn was awarded the 2020 United Nations Day Honour Award and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the Australian National University in 2018.  

Most recently, Ms Mostyn chaired the boards of Aware Super, Centre for Policy Development, Beyond Blue, Australians Investing in Women, Foundation for Young Australians, Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, Australian National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) and The Climate Council. 

She has also served on the boards of some of Australia’s leading companies including Mirvac, Citi Australia, Transurban and Virgin Australia. 

She dedicated more than a decade to the boards of the GO Foundation and Climateworks Australia, during this time she also served on the boards of Tonic Media and Global Business & Sustainable Development Commission.

Ms Mostyn was a Commissioner with the Australian Football League for over a decade until 2017. 

She has also been a strong supporter of women in sport, and was an advocate for the creation of the AFL Women’s league and co-founded the Minerva Network, Australia’s only mentorship and development program dedicated to professional female athletes.

From 2013–2017, she was President of the Australian Council for International Development. 

Ms Mostyn became an inaugural commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission in 2012 and Deputy Chair of the Diversity Council of Australia in 2010. She served on the Australian faculty of the Cambridge University Business & Sustainability Leadership Program from 2010–2024. 

She has contributed to independent reviews for the betterment of the community as a member of the panel of the Crawford Sports Funding Review (2009), and Review of the Treatment of Women in the Australian Defence Force (2012). She chaired the NSW Government Women’s Economic Opportunities Review (2022), and Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce report (2023).

She also held membership to the boards of Reconciliation Australia and Australia Council for the Arts.

Before taking on non-executive roles, she held senior executive roles at Insurance Australia Group, Optus, and Cable & Wireless plc.

Ms Mostyn is married to Mr Simeon Beckett SC and they have an adult daughter, Lotte Beckett. Ms Mostyn is an avid Sydney Swans fan, and served on the board from 2017–2024. 

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Anna Palmer

People and Culture Manager

Based in Central Victoria, Anna is a senior Human Resources, Organisation Development and Industrial Relations professional, with significant private and public sector experience across every facet of people and culture leadership.

Her most recent roles have been with Don KR in Castlemaine and Mount Alexander Shire Council. She has also held senior HR roles with Victoria Legal Aid and the TAC among many others.

From Mildura originally, Anna has postgraduate qualifications in Change Management and a Masters in Organisation Dynamics.

Anna is currently completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts to balance her creative pursuits and work as an HR professional.

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Philippa Twaddle

Management Accountant

Carolyn joined the FRRR team in March 2017, and is responsible for providing executive support to the CEO, effective coordination of the FRRR office and general administrative support to the management team. A key responsibility is supporting the administration of FRRR’s Donation Account Services.

She has over fifteen years’ experience working in local government in the Tourism and Arts Sector, Civic and Event Management and Community engagement.

Carolyn has a Bachelor of Arts in Librarianship, majoring in psychology, and grew up on farming communities in Cohuna and Echuca and currently lives in Bendigo.

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David Hardie

David Hardie was appointed to the FRRR Board in July 2024.

David has been an effective leader in government, not-for-profit and philanthropy organisations, most recently as the Foundation Manager at the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF). In this role he managed a grantmaking team responsible for a diverse $10M annual grants program. David led the work on more than 100 grants and managed strategic partnerships in education, ethics and place-based philanthropy. He is the author of The VFFF History Volume 3 (2009 to 2023) and deeply respected for his commitment to listening to and encouraging those on the front line of not-for-profit organisations.

David’s professional background is the government sector, including leadership roles in Communications and Human Resources at Sydney Water. Completing the Sydney Leadership Program in 2004 set David on a new career path grounded in purpose and values. He has extensive volunteer experience, including telephone counselling, refugee settlement assistance and youth mentoring. 

David holds a Bachelor of Business, Master of Policy Studies and Graduate Certificates in Arts (Environmental Policy) and Business (Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies). He is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. David is also the Chair of The Social Outfit, a Director of St Francis Social Services, Slingsby Holdings Pty Ltd and the Slingsby Foundation, and a Patron of GiveOUT.

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Jai Allison

Insights & Impact Measurement Manager

Jai Allison has supported communities confronting change for more than 20 years in places ranging from remote Northern Territory homelands and the Blue Mountains to the Northern Rivers of NSW.

Jai learned much of what he knows about what makes communities tick through living in those communities and while volunteering and working with stakeholders from informal groups, civil society, through to tertiary education, industry and government. This experience has given Jai the nous to facilitate win-win outcomes and a humility to learn in public. As a reformed environmental engineer, plucky geographer and die-hard facilitator, Jai loves connecting people with existing strengths, skills, knowledges to learn, while doing by turning insights into action.

Jai grew up on and is now raising his family in the hinterland of Biripi country, on the Mid-North Coast of NSW, where they are busy regenerating an old timber mill on the banks of the beautiful Ellenbourgh River.

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Donna Digby

Donna Digby is passionate about showcasing the best of remote and Northern Australia: the strength and perspective of local people, the places, and working with others to create a vibrant future and thriving regions. Her connection to the NT spans 25 years and she has lived and worked in most regions of the NT. She currently lives in the rural area outside Mparntwe (Alice Springs). She values authenticity, inclusion, collaboration and creating a positive impact.

Donna embodies a people-centred, place-based and purpose-driven approach. For the past two decades, Donna has worked with local people in Victoria and the NT to inform, shape and achieve their futures.

She is an inclusive and community focused leader that believes we can achieve richer outcomes for our communities when we create spaces and opportunities to draw on the ideas, experiences and expertise from within our community, as well learning from other communities in Australia.

Donna is driven to support community leaders to reach their leadership potential by drawing on their lived experience, creating pathways for leadership development, building networks, mentoring and attracting investment to facilitate this. Donna is the current NT Chair – Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award Alumni, Board Director of Red Earth Community Foundation, Graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and has completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honors.

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David Mackay

David Mackay is the Acting Deputy Secretary for Regional, Cities, and Territories in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, after serving as First Assistant Secretary of Infrastructure Investment Division, and, earlier, of Cities Division. Before joining the Department, David held division and branch head roles across the Australian public sector, in the Attorney-General’s Department, the Department of Finance (where he was responsible for Budget coordination and policy), and the Department of Health (in health system and funding reform, and in youth mental health and suicide prevention).

David is a graduate of the University of Sydney and Monash University, and is an alumnus of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government’s Executive Fellows Program.

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James Flintoft

James Flintoft has substantial private sector and government executive leadership and governance experience, including in regional development and agriculture policy and service delivery. He has served on various private sector, government and not-for-profit boards.

He spent 10 years in the public service including as Chief Executive of Regional Development Victoria facilitating infrastructure development, jobs facilitation and regional partnerships; Deputy Secretary, Agriculture Victoria; and First Assistant Secretary, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Before joining the public service, James spent 20 years working in the private sector. He was a senior executive at ANZ Bank – including Managing Director, Business Banking; a management consultant at McKinsey & Company in the firm’s Australian, London and Washington offices advising across many industries; and a commercial lawyer at Allens Arthur Robinson. 

He was formerly Treasurer of the Mirabel Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that provides support and counselling services to children orphaned or abandoned due to parental drug abuse.

He has a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne, an MBA from the Wharton School (US), and is a Graduate of the AICD.

Current Interests:

  • Director, Transport Accident Commission 
  • Director, Development Victoria
  • Director, Epworth Healthcare Group
  • Chair, Sapia Pty Ltd
  • Director, Social Traders
  • Director, Foundation House (Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture)
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Hon John Sharp AM

John Sharp AM has a farming and business background. His political career commenced in 1980 at the age of 25 when he was elected to the Young Shire Council. In 1984, he was elected to the Federal Parliament as the National Party member for Gilmore. Following redistribution in 1993, he represented the seat of Hume. Mr Sharp served 14 years in the Federal Parliament, and from 1987 to the end of 1997 was a member of the Coalition’s front bench as Shadow Minister, and then Minister for Transport and Regional Development and Federal Treasurer of the National Party.

During his parliamentary career, Mr Sharp became well known and respected for his role in promoting aviation safety and was responsible for numerous reforms, including a complete rewrite of the aviation regulations. He was also responsible for the reform of Australia’s railways, creating the Australian Rail Track Corporation.

From 2001-15, Mr Sharp served as director of Airbus Group Australia Pacific. He was a director of Skytraders, operating aircraft for the Australian Antarctic Division, from 2005-13 and the French / Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a Director of Eurocopter Australia Pacific.

Mr Sharp has been involved in a number of voluntary organisations and is a former Co-Chair of the Cancer Council of NSW, Southern Highlands Branch, former Chairman of the Flight Safety Foundation, and former Chairman of the Winifred West Schools Foundation from 2001-2008. He was also a Member of the Climate Change Authority, and a Member of the University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor’s Advisory Board. 

Mr Sharp was invested as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2018 for significant service to the people and Parliament of Australia, to the aviation industry, and to the community.

Current interests

  • Founder and Director, Thenford Consulting
  • Deputy Chairman, Regional Express (Rex)
  • Chairman of Pel Air 
  • Director, Luerssen Australia
  • Director, Australian Maritime Shipbuilding and Export Group
  • Director, John McEwen House
  • Director, Tudor House Foundation
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Georgie Somerset AM

Georgie Somerset AM is an industry leader and strategist with boundless energy for regional development across Australia. Based on her family’s cattle property in Queensland’s South Burnett, she is actively involved in the operation of the multigenerational family beef business. For three decades Georgie has juggled the challenges associated with living regional and remote and has advocated in this space tirelessly.
 
Georgie was a founder, and later president, of the Queensland Rural Regional and Remote Women’s Network (QRRRWN), was a director of the National Foundation for Australian Women and served for six years as General President of AgForce Queensland.
 
Georgie uses her resilience and forward-thinking approach across multiple boards in the not-for-profit, government and industry sectors, and seeks to apply these in philanthropic settings.
 
Georgie is currently Chair of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) and Chair of the Red Earth Community Foundation South Burnett. She is Deputy Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), and a director for the National Farmers Federation and the RFDS Federation. Georgie has also served on a number of advisory committees for regional development, tertiary institutions, industry and community groups, including the USQ’s Rural Economies Centre of Excellence and she has been a member of a number of government review panels.
 
Georgie is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and the Institute for Resilient Regions, and was awarded the AICD QLD Gold Medal in 2024.
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Sue Middleton

Deputy Chair

Sue has wide reaching and deep change management experience across agricultural businesses, commodity groups and sectors, and regional and rural local communities. She is passionate about the future of rural and regional Australia and has focused her 30-year professional career in this area. Sue has a real-world perspective on how to make community organisations successful and has deep experience in successfully brokering Government intent and industry and community capacity. 

Sue’s past roles include the Chair of the WA Regional Development Trust which oversees the Royalties for Regions program, Chair of the West Midlands Group (Grower Group), National Rural Advisory Council, COAG Reform Council, WA Agricultural Produce Commissioner, National Regional Women’s Advisory Council, Farmbis State Planning Group, Australian Research Council, and Regional Solutions Board. 

For her work, Sue has been awarded the Centenary Medal for Service to Regional Australia in 2002, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Woman of the Year for Australia in 2010 and was inducted into the Western Australia Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018. 

Sue joined the FRRR Board in 2018.

Current interests

  • Board of Racing and Wagering WA
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Bruce Scott OAM

Bruce Scott was born and bred in Western Queensland. He and his wife owned and managed Moothandella, a cattle station in the Queensland Channel Country until 2020 and now resides in Charleville. Bruce has spent 27 years in local government, public sector and not-for-profit boards, and was Mayor of the Shire of Barcoo for 16 years. He has been recognised in the Queen’s birthday Honours List for his services to local government, and to the community.

Bruce brings a breadth of experience of living and running businesses in rural communities. He currently acts as an advisor to the National Emergency Management Agency, sits on the boards of Southern Queensland Landscapes, South West Hospital and Health Service, Red Ridge Foundation, Rural Financial Counselling Service North Queensland and the Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation Finance Audit and Risk Committee.

He previously served as Chair of Desert Channels Queensland, and as a Director on the Central West Hospital and Health Service, Central West Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD), and Regional Natural Resource Management Groups Collective Board.

Bruce has completed board governance, risk management and financial acumen training with the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Queensland Treasury Corporation, and has a keen interest in telecommunications, renewable energy, the environment and responsible land use practices. He is also passionate about education and taking an integrated approach to building strong rural communities.

 

 

 

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Annabel F. White

Annabel was appointed to the Board of the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal in 2015.

She has extensive experience in the philanthropic and not-for-profit sectors in Australia and is a keen supporter of grassroots initiatives, particularly in rural and regional areas. Prior to her career in philanthropy, Annabel worked in publishing and the media.

Annabel was reappointed as a Director of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation in 2016, after previously completing an eight-year term in 2013. VFFF and FRRR have partnered over a number of years on rural initiatives in NSW, including education and capacity building. Annabel is also a Director of Mundango Abroad and Southern Highlands Foundation.

Annabel previously worked part-time at VFFF researching, analysing and assessing grants. She moved from the city to rural properties in Glen Innes and now the Southern Highlands, and during this time worked for Landcare, Arts North West and the local council, amongst other community volunteer roles, giving her a wide understanding of community and rural needs.

Annabel holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney, a Graduate Diploma of Editing and Publishing from Macquarie University and a Master of Business (Social Investment and Philanthropy) at Swinburne University. She has also completed the Australian Company Institute of Director’s course.

She is passionate about philanthropy, particularly women’s empowerment, rural and regional renewal and the arts and continues to be involved on boards and committees in her areas of interest.

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William Myer

William Myer joined the FRRR Board in January, 2023, as the representative of the Sidney Myer Fund.

William works at Regal Partners in Sydney, where he is primarily responsible for continuing to grow and expand Regal’s existing relationships and strong connections within the Australian family office sector and sophisticated, self-directed private investor channel.

William previously spent 10 years at financial software firm Bloomberg across roles in London, New York and, most recently, Sydney, where he led Bloomberg’s Analytics division in Australia and NZ. Prior to Bloomberg, William held analyst roles at Caledonia Investments, and at his family’s investment group, the Yulgilbar Group of Companies. William has also been involved within his family business for well over 15 years, contributing within his family investment office with a particular focus on investing, philanthropy, agriculture and group level strategy.

William holds a Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies) from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Science (International Business) from Hult International Business School in Boston, MA. William holds a deep passion for Rural Australia and has worked through a variety of agricultural endeavors on family properties in the Clarence Valley and the Mornington Peninsula.

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Anne Grindrod

Anne is a Director with wide experience in the philanthropic and not-for-profit sectors in Australia.

She served as a trustee of the John T Reid Charitable Trusts from 1998 to 2014, with the last five years as Chairman. Through this involvement Anne developed a commitment to building resilience and sustainability in rural communities. During this time the Trusts formed a close partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal initiating funding for the CATCH program and enabling funding for natural disaster recovery.

Anne has also served on the board of the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network, with a particular interest in broadening philanthropic donations to help protect biodiversity through nature conservation and to enable rural communities to develop strategies for resilience in the face of climate change. 

She has a great interest in promoting early years education and early intervention services, having served on the board of the Advisory Council for Children with Impaired Hearing (Taralye) for more than ten years including time as Chairman. In 2014 Anne was appointed a life member of the Advisory Council for Children with Impaired Hearing.

Anne graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Anne’s family has a long association with rural living in Australia. She splits her time between Melbourne and her family farm on the Goulburn River flats at Thornton, near Alexandra in central Victoria.

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Tim Fairfax AC

Chairman

In accepting the Board’s request to act as FRRR’s Patron in Chief, His Excellency explained that he was pleased to accept the role as he sees the work of the Foundation as very important in supporting rural, regional and remote communities:

“In my experience, our rural and regional areas aren’t after hand outs – in fact, they’re reticent to even ask for a hand-up. That is why the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal’s approach of helping communities address local opportunities and challenges is so important.”

David Hurley joined the Australian Army in January 1972, graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. In a long and distinguished 42-year military career, his service culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force.

He commanded the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment during Operation SOLACE in Somalia in 1993, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross. Following promotion to Colonel, he was appointed Chief of Staff, Headquarters 1st Division in June 1994, attending the U.S. Army War College in 1996 and 1997. He commanded the 1st Brigade from 1999-2000 in Darwin, supporting Australian-led operations in East Timor. He was appointed the inaugural Chief of Capability Development Group from 2003-07, Chief of Joint Operations Command in October 2007, and Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July 2008. Promoted to General, he succeeded Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston as Chief of the Defence Force on 4 July 2011 until his retirement on 30 June 2014. In 2010, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the Australian Defence Force.

Prior to being sworn in as Governor-General, David Hurley served as the 38th Governor of New South Wales from October 2014 – May 2019.

David Hurley was born in Wollongong, New South Wales on 26 August 1953, the son of Norma and James Hurley. His father was an Illawarra steelworker and his mother worked in a grocery store. He grew up in Port Kembla and attended Port Kembla High School where he completed his Higher School Certificate in 1971. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1975. He is married to Linda with whom he has three children: Caitlin, Marcus and Amelia.

He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Wollongong in 2013; a Doctor of the University, honoris causa, from the University of New South Wales in 2015; made a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering in 2016; and awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Macquarie University in 2017. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bill Kelty AC

Mr Kelty was a founding board member of FRRR, serving from inception to 30 June 2019 and following his retirement, was appointed as a Patron of FRRR.

After graduating in Economics from La Trobe University, Bill Kelty began his career in the early seventies working in various positions in the trade union movement. 

This involvement led to his becoming Assistant Secretary of the ACTU in 1977, a position he held until he was elected ACTU Secretary in 1983 and he remained as Secretary until February 2000.

In his role as Secretary of the ACTU, Mr Kelty was responsible for industrial relations policy and practice in all industries, especially oil, the waterfront, retail, airlines and transport.

A key part of Mr Kelty’s role was to conduct industry level negotiations to improve company competitiveness while maintaining and improving workforce wages and conditions.

Importantly he was responsible for helping to negotiate national fiscal policy, which included the introduction of compulsory superannuation for the Australian workforce.

At the time of his retirement from the FRRR board, Mr Kelty’s current activities include the following:

Non-Executive Director of the Linfox Group;

AFL Commissioner;

Chair of Virtual Communities

Director of the Bank of Queensland

Director of Luna Park Pty Ltd. Melbourne

Member of La Trobe University Council

Chair of Evans & Partners Advisory Board

Member of McGuire Media Advisory Board

Member of Bill Hutchinson Foundation

Chair of Ministerial Advisory Council on Regional Australia.

Awards

Recipient of the Centenary Medal – 2003

Companion of the Order of Australia – 2008

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The Right Honourable Ian Sinclair AC

Mr Sinclair was FRRR’s inaugural Chairman, serving from inception to 30 June 2019 and following his retirement, was appointed as a Patron of FRRR.

Born in Sydney and educated firstly at Knox Grammar School and then at Sydney University (BA, LLB), Mr Sinclair was admitted to the Bar in 1952.

From 1953 to 2001 Mr Sinclair bred cattle and sheep at “Glenclair”, Bendemeer NSW and now fattens cattle on Dumaresq Island on NSW’s mid-north coast.

In 1961 Mr Sinclair was elected to the NSW Legislative Council. In 1963 he then moved to Federal Parliament as the Federal Member for New England in the House of Representatives in 1963. 

Mr Sinclair served as Leader or Deputy Leader of the National Party for nearly 19 years, and held a number of senior portfolios including Social Services, Primary Industry, Shipping and Transport, Communications, Defence and Leader of the House. 

He also held the honoured position of Speaker of the House, retiring as Speaker in 1998.  

At the time of his retirement, he was also President of Scouts Australia (NSW) and Patron of a number of charitable and philanthropic bodies.

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His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC

DSC Patron in Chief

In accepting the Board’s request to act as FRRR’s Patron in Chief, His Excellency explained that he was pleased to accept the role as he sees the work of the Foundation as very important in supporting rural, regional and remote communities:

“In my experience, our rural and regional areas aren’t after hand outs – in fact, they’re reticent to even ask for a hand-up. That is why the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal’s approach of helping communities address local opportunities and challenges is so important.” 

David Hurley joined the Australian Army in January 1972, graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. In a long and distinguished 42-year military career, his service culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force.

He commanded the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment during Operation SOLACE in Somalia in 1993, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross. Following promotion to Colonel, he was appointed Chief of Staff, Headquarters 1st Division in June 1994, attending the U.S. Army War College in 1996 and 1997. He commanded the 1st Brigade from 1999-2000 in Darwin, supporting Australian-led operations in East Timor. He was appointed the inaugural Chief of Capability Development Group from 2003-07, Chief of Joint Operations Command in October 2007, and Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July 2008. Promoted to General, he succeeded Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston as Chief of the Defence Force on 4 July 2011 until his retirement on 30 June 2014. In 2010, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the Australian Defence Force.

Prior to being sworn in as Governor-General, David Hurley served as the 38th Governor of New South Wales from October 2014 – May 2019.

David Hurley was born in Wollongong, New South Wales on 26 August 1953, the son of Norma and James Hurley. His father was an Illawarra steelworker and his mother worked in a grocery store. He grew up in Port Kembla and attended Port Kembla High School where he completed his Higher School Certificate in 1971. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1975. He is married to Linda with whom he has three children: Caitlin, Marcus and Amelia.

He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Wollongong in 2013; a Doctor of the University, honoris causa, from the University of New South Wales in 2015; made a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering in 2016; and awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Macquarie University in 2017.