About the Foundation

Our Patron

Lady Helen Deane

Lady Helen, wife of former Governor-General and High Court Justice, Sir William Deane, practised as a solicitor with Freehill Hollingdale and Page following her graduation in law at Sydney University. Lady Deane is the Patron of Mercy Works Inc. and a Patron of Youth Off the Streets.

Our Board

Hon Margaret Reid AO, Chairperson

Margaret Reid was a Solicitor in Canberra prior to representing the ACT in the Australian Senate for 22 years. Currently she is Chair of the Australian Foundation for Mental Health Research and Chair of the Advisory Board of the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics. She serves as a member of the Immigration Detention Advisory Group.

Mr Richard Gibson

Richard is the Managing Director of Pirion Pty Ltd one of the largest commercial print and information management operations in the ACT and South East NSW. Richard joined the family company in 1975 and became Managing Director in 1979.

Mr Doug Gillespie (Trustee's Representative)

Doug Gillespie joined the Public Trustee for the ACT in 1990, and brought with him the concept of a community foundation based upon his experience with community foundations in the private sector with trustee corporations. While the foundation concept was endorsed by the Public Trustee at the time, it was over ten years before a decision was made for the office to proceed with establishment of the foundation. His enthusiasm, experience and application have been instrumental in bringing the foundation to its present strong position. Doug is an Associate of the Executor and Trustee Institute, an Affiliate of the Securities Institute of Australia and a Senior Associate of the Financial Services Institute of Australia.

Councillor Paul Braybrooks

Paul has owned and operated a retail pharmacy in Cootamundra since October 1983. He was elected to the Cootamundra Shire Council in 1991, became Deputy Mayor in 1993 and was appointed as Mayor in 1996, a position he currently holds. Paul is currently Chairman of the Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils and Executive Member and Treasurer of the NSW Shires Association.

Mr Christopher Peters, AM JP (Chris)

Christopher Peters is Chief Executive of the ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a position he has held since June 1997. He was previously Chief Executive of the Sydney-based Printing Industries Association of Australia, Chief Executive of the Canberra-based Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Chief Executive of the Sydney-based Company Directors' Association and foundation Executive Director of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Chris is a Chartered Director, Senior Fellow of the Corporate Directors Association, Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and Fellow of the Australian Society of Association Executives. He is Chairman of the Corporate Directors' Association of Australia. Chris is on the Board of three statutory authorities (and Deputy Chairman of one), several public companies, a number of community organisations and several private companies.

Mr Larry King

Since 1997 Larry King has been the Executive Director of the Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory. His background is in industry associations where he gained his experience in issues management, general management and turning good ideas - mostly other people’s - into reality. In those capacities he has served the housing, building and construction and manufacturing industries in addition to the legal profession. Larry has contributed to the work of numerous private sector and government committees, task forces and working groups. He keeps his feet on the ground as Treasurer of the Wamboin Bush Fire Brigade.

Ms Sarah Palic

Sarah has been Executive Director of Taxation and Business Services with one of Canberra's largest accounting firms Walter Turnbull since 2003. Sarah has a Bachelor of Commerce (ANU); has been a Chartered Accountant for 10 years and is a Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia. She has broad experience in assisting small to medium-sized enterprises with business and taxation issues and has worked with a range of clients from industries including medical, finance, retail, not-for-profit and building and construction. Over the past four years Sarah has also headed up Walter Turnbull’s Accounting Solutions Division, which provides an alternative solution to business and associations having an in-house Financial Controller.

Our Management Committee

Ms Diane Kargas, Executive Officer

Diane Kargas founded the Capital Region Community Foundation in her role as the then Public Trustee for the ACT, with an aim to raise funds for community projects, local and regional charities, for the perpetual benefit of Canberra and the region. Diane retired from the ACT Public Service in 2004 to start her own business as a life and leadership coach. She performed the roles of Trustee and Administrator of the Canberra Bushfire Recovery Appeal in 2003, was the recipient of the ACT Local Hero Australian of the Year Awards in 2004 and received the International Woman's Day Award 2007 for services to the ACT Community. She was formerly the Chair of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the ACT and a past member of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing. Currently Diane holds the position of Deputy Chair of the ACT Public Cemeteries Board, is the Treasurer of Women Chiefs of Enterprise International (ACT Division), is a member of the Fund Raising Institute of Australia and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ms Catherine Andrews

Catherine Andrews has some 25 years of senior management experience covering the public and private sectors, the tertiary sector and the not- for- profit sector. Her career has focussed on development initiatives in community and business including major events, fundraising, sport and recreation and cultural activities. Her broad community experience has led to a focus on the sustainable development opportunities and community growth afforded by Community Foundations. Catherine is a Principal and Director of RMC, a Canberra based national HR company,a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the Fundraising Institute of Australia, the Recruitment Consulting and Services Association and of The St James Ethics Centre.

Mr Michael Byrne

Michael Byrne is marketing manager of ZOO, Canberra's largest communications agency. A Canberra resident since 1980, he also has a background in event management. He is deputy chair of the ACT & Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry and lectures in event management and integrated marketing at CIT.

Ms Bea Brickhill

Bea Brickhill is currently National Manager, Fundraising for the Australian Catholic University. She has been involved in developing and funding new community activities in arts, heritage, education and welfare for many years. Her extensive marketing and fundraising knowledge comes from having to fund and promote the projects she wanted to establish. Her background includes working with the Bolshoi Ballet and the Welsh National Opera, running a dance company in Tasmania, establishing the Friends of the National Library, and developing educational programs at the Sydney Opera House. She has been involved with a number of Boards and Committees including the International Women's Development Agency, Hobart Theatre Royal, Diabetes Australia (ACT) and Stompin' Youth Dance Theatre.

Ms Jennie Cameron

Jennie Cameron is the Chair of the National Sids Council of Australia Limited. She is also the Founding President of the ACT Division of Women Chiefs of Enterprise International and is a lifetime member of Hartley Life Care in the ACT. Jennie has a life long interest in not for profit and community based organisations. She has been a senior executive with the Spastic Society of Victoria and the Deputy CEO for the St John Ambulance Australia. Jennie is a Certified Fundraising Executive, a Fellow of the Institute of Company Directors and a Member of the Fundraising Institute of Australia. In 2002 Jennie opened her own marketing business focussing on exporting new Australian products overseas, and developing new business/income strategy and operations for both not-for-profit and for-profit organisations.

Mr Chic Henry (Board Member Elect)

Chic Henry has successfully staged a large motoring exhibition in the ACT (Summernats) which has achieved Tourism awards for its contribution to Canberra. He was presented as an Honorary Ambassador to the National Capital. Chic is proud to say that he loves being a Canberra resident.

Ms Diana Forrester

Diana is a Corporate Director at Professional Public Relations with responsibility for the strategic direction and continuing success of this growing Australian company with offices in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Diana was a national finalist in the Telstra Business Woman of the Year (2001), having been awarded ACT Business Woman of the Year in the Private and Corporate Sector Category. She is a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Australia, Deputy-Chair of SIDS & KIDS (ACT), a Director of ASF Ltd (responsible for the Australian Science Festival and ICAN - Canberra's Innovation and Creativity Festival), President of Women in ICT and a member of Women Chiefs of Enterprise International. In 2003, Diana was awarded a Centenary of Federation Medal for services to the Australian community in business leadership.

Ms Linda Tregonning

Linda is currently the Community and Business Development Executive Manager for Communities @ Work. Prior to joining Communities @ Work she was a Project Manager with the Chief Ministers Department and organised many of the events for Seniors Week including - The Chief Minister's Seniors Concert with the RMC Band and local performers; Chief Minister's Breakfast; Lifetime Achievement Awards, which included the Chief Minister's Award. Linda has been involved with Canberra Philharmonic Society for many years both on stage and off. She has been President twice and served as Secretary and Vice President for many years. Linda was awarded Life Membership of the Society in 1993 as a mark of gratitude and respect for longstanding and distinguished service to the Society.

Mr Bruno Yvanovich

Bruno Yvanovich is a senior executive with extensive experience in business and government. He is especially skilled in building and maintaining relationships with clients and developing opportunities for organisations to grow. He has extensive experience in fundraising and development at The Australian National University, Australian Catholic University and Greening Australia. Previous roles were at senior levels in a large national HR company, an industry association and the ACT and Federal Governments. Bruno is active in the profession as a member of the Fundraising Institute - Australia and is currently serving his second stint as President of Chapter 6 (ACT). He holds degrees of Bachelor of Science from Flinders and Master of Public Administration from Canberra Universities. The Yvanovichs came to Australia from Hong Kong in 1967 and initially settled in Adelaide, eventually moving to Canberra.

Trustee

Mr Andrew Taylor

Andrew Taylor has been the Public Trustee for the ACT since March 2004. He is a statutory officer responsible for the administration of the Office of the Public Trustee and Unclaimed Moneys. Prior to that Andrew was the Registrar-General for the ACT.

Andrew is a current member of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing, Trustee Corporations of Australia Inc and the Australian Guardianship and Administration Committee.

The Public Trustee is trustee of the Capital Region Community Foundation established by Deed for the purpose of receiving money and property to be appropriated to other funds, authorities and institutions.

How we selected the Board

The Public Trustee, in keeping with Australian Taxation Office requirements, appoints the Board members from interested persons with the requisite degree of responsibility to the ACT and regional community, to ensure a range of community interests are represented.

The inaugural Board has been selected from community leaders with an identified interest and commitment to community development issues.

Once fully established, the Board will have a nomination committee tasked to identify the strategic and professional mix required both under the terms of the Deed and from a community representative perspective.

Members of the Board and Management Committee provide their services on an honorary basis.