Patron
Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales
Marie Roslyn Bashir AC, CVO is the present Governor of New South Wales since 2001 and also the Chancellor of the University of Sydney since 2007. Marie Bashir graduated from the University of Sydney in 1956 and held various medical positions, with a particular emphasis in psychiatry. In 1993 Marie Bashir was appointed as the Clinical Director of Mental Health Services for the Central Sydney Area, which she held until she was appointed as Governor in March 2001.
Founder
The Hon. Tom Lewis AO
Thomas Lancelot (Tom) Lewis AO was a New South Wales politician, Premier of New South Wales and Minister of the Crown in the cabinets of Sir Robert Askin and Sir Eric Willis. As lands minister, Tom Lewis was responsible for setting up the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in 1967. He established the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife in 1970 as the fundraising arm of the NPWS. Today, the Foundation is an a-political, independent conservation organisation.
Voluntary Board of Directors
President
Mr Peter Janssen
Appointed Director 1999
Elected President in 2005
Nominations Committee Chair
Marketing & Sales Committee Member
Finance Committee Member
Having spent most of his career building Utilux, an Australian based manufacturer of electrical and electronic components, Peter has extensive board experience with private, government and not-for-profit organisations. Past appointments include President of AEEMA (Australian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers Association), President of Australian Business Foundation, and Vice-President of FAPM (Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers). Peter is a member of the City of Sydney Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal Committee. Prior to joining Utilux, Peter graduated from the University of Sydney in Economics and Law, and gained an MBA from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Vice President & Secretary
Peter Henchman
Appointed Director 1984
Appointed Vice President 1996
Appointed Secretary 1984
Finance Committee Member
Peter graduated in Arts and Law from Sydney University and in 1960 joined a firm of solicitors, becoming senior partner in 1985. In 1986 he and his wife bought a weekender deep in Wollemi National Park and set about establishing an apple orchard. In 1995 he retired from the partnership to devote his time to orcharding. When he joined the governing body of the Foundation in 1984 he took responsibility for projects and held that position until retiring as Chairman of the Projects Committee in 2011.
Treasurer
Garry Browne
Appointed Director 2010
Appointed Treasurer 2010
Finance Committee Chair
Garry Browne is CEO/Managing Director and Company Director of Stuart Alexander & Co, founded 1884. This company markets and distributes household brands such as Guylian, Mentos, Werthers and Fisherman’s Friend. From an early age Garry has been committed to community service. He created and serves as a Director of The S’Team Foundation, the philanthropic entity of Stuart Alexander & Co with a primary focus on developing underprivileged youth. Garry is also a Past President of the Rotary Club of Sydney. Garry has a Bachelor of Business from UTS and is a former student of the Harvard Business School, where he completed the Owner President Management Program (OPM). Garry is married and proud of his two sons. His interests include golf and long distance running.
OEH Representative
Melinda Murray
Appointed September 2011
Melinda Murray is the Manager, Reserve Establishment and Land Information in the National Parks and Wildlife Service, part of the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH). Melinda has been in this role since late 2010 and leads the OEH land acquisition, reservation and wilderness programs. From 1995 to 2010 Melinda worked with the Legal Services Branch in OEH’s predecessor agencies, most recently as a Principal Legal Officer providing expert legal advice and managing legislative reforms. As a lawyer Melinda specialised in Aboriginal joint management of national parks, Aboriginal cultural heritage protection, environmental planning law, contaminated land management and pollution law. She was recently the expert contributor to the Pollution Law chapter in the forthcoming 5th edition of the Environmental Law Handbook.
Directors
Fiona Archer
Appointed Director 2010
Finance Committee Member
Fiona’s career spans 27 years in global finance. She is currently a Director at JBWere in Sydney, providing financial advice to high net worth families and individuals. Fiona has spent the last 13 years providing financial advisory services to Not-For-Profits. Fiona has a Bachelor of Business Studies from Swinburne University, Melbourne and began her career as an auditor with Ernst and Whinney in Melbourne. She worked as a mining analyst for Prudential Bache in Melbourne and New York and Ord Minnett in London and Sydney prior to moving into mining finance with Resource Finance Corporation and BBY Corporate Services. Fiona spent 9 years as a financial adviser at UBS Wealth Management.
Mark Bethwaite
Appointed Director 2009
Currently a professional director, Mark Bethwaite has a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and an MBA. Mark has been Managing Director of two of Australia’s largest mining companies – North Limited in Melbourne and Renison Goldfields Consolidated Limited in Sydney – for a total of ten years. He was also Managing Director of one of Australia’s leading industry associations for five years before retiring in 2006. Mark represented Australia in sailing in the1972 and 1976 Olympic Games and has won World Championships in a number of classes. He is married to Carolyn, and their son and daughter are now in their late 20s, early 30s.
Sally Humphrey
Appointed Director 2004
Projects Committee Chair
Sally attended Sydney University and University of New England. She worked in Marketing and Market Research with several multi-nationalsbefore opening her own business. She is currently a Sydney secondary school teacher. Sally brings marketing, fundraising, educational and business skills to the Foundation. Sally has supported the Foundation since 1983 in fundraising and educational programs. Sally now chairs the Projects Committee, reviewing applications for funding and support. She isinterested in educational opportunities for parks, wildlife and marine environments. She is dedicated to increasing the national reserve system and promoting sustainable futures for threatened species.Sally is married with four children and two grandchildren.
Angus M Robinson
Appointed Director 2007
Marketing & Sales Committee Chair
Angus M Robinson FAIM FAusIMM (CP), Managing Partner of Leisure Solutions®,is a geologist by profession specialising in experiential travel with a focus on ecotourism and geotourism. In earlier years, Angus held senior executive roles and Board positions in a wide range of organisations in both the government and Not-for-Profit sectors, specialising in hi-tech manufacturing, technology development, major public attractions, and resource management. He is a Member of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand as well as a member of the Rotary Club of Sydney.
