OUR PEOPLE
Our volunteers are vital to the continued and smooth running of The Australiana Fund
Our members and volunteers are important to us
Our volunteers include those who are involved in the open days and garden tours, those who are on state committees that run state events, and those on the national council responsible for all aspects of The Fund. We continue to receive the support of many members, supporters and friends that help us in so many ways both financially and in-kind. The Fund also has a Fine Art Advisor.
COUNCILLORS & FINE ART ADVISOR
Jennifer Sanders - Chair of The Australiana Fund since 2017
Member of The Australiana Fund since 2011. BA Hons. Churchill Fellow. Former Deputy Director, Powerhouse Museum. Member National Cultural Heritage Committee 1999-2008. Member External Advisory Panel, Design Research Institute RMIT, and Chair, Design Archives Advisory Panel, RMIT, Melbourne 2007-2012. Centenary Medal 2001. Museum and heritage consultant. Resident of NSW.
David Murray - Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Secretary
Member of The Australiana Fund since 2015. Partner at Deloitte. Director of various private companies. Resident of NSW.
Sonya Abbey - Fine Art Advisor
BA (Hons) History of Art, (Manchester). Dip. Decorative Arts (Glasgow). 18 years with Christie’s international auction house in the UK, Europe and Australia, specialising in client management, textiles, Eastern rugs, carpets & collectors items. Joined The Australiana Fund as its Curator in May 2006.
Harriet Elvin AM - Councillor
Member of The Australiana Fund since 2002. Former Chief Executive Officer of the Cultural Facilities Corporation, which runs major cultural venues in Canberra including the Canberra Museum and Gallery, the Canberra Theatre Centre and three historic places. Resident of the ACT.
Emeritus Professor Robin Stuart-Harris - Councillor
Member of The Australiana Fund since 2014. Retired Medical Oncologist. Former Director of Cancer Services for the ACT and former Head of the National Advisory Council of the ABC. Currently a member of the Canberra Men’s Choir and volunteer at the National Museum of Australia. Resident of the ACT.
Bettina Groves GAICD - Councillor
Member of The Australiana Fund since 2005. 25 years experience in textile and interior design industry. Manager of private investment and agriculture company since 2005. Resident of QLD.
Philip Gosse - Councillor
Member of The Australiana Fund since 2015. Retired builder with 40 years experience renovating and restoring Sydney buildings. Resident of NSW.
Caroline Johnston OAM - Councillor
Member of The Australiana Fund since 2012. Member, Advocacy & Support Committee, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI); Representative, Green Family Award; Founder, Johnston & Green; Former Board Member Duldig Gallery Inc; Former Executive Director, AMPLA, Former Board member, Anglicare Victoria. Resident of VIC.
Alan Smith - Councillor
Member of The Australiana Fund since 2003. Retired Arts CEO. Director, State Library of SA 2004-2018, Director, Carrick Hill 1996-2004, Director, SA Maritime Museum 1993-1996. Churchill Fellow 2008. Resident of SA.
William Downey - Councillor
Member of The Australiana Fund since 2014. Retired pathologist. Resident of VIC.
Di MacKinnon - Councillor
Member of The Australiana Fund since 2019.Former State Chairman and Board Member of Australia’s Open Garden Scheme, current Board Member of Cape Hope Foundation. Former President of The Lady Franklin Club. Resident of TAS.
Julieanne Watson - Assistant to the Fine Art Advisor
BA (Macq), Masters Museum Studies (Syd), Certificate in Decorative Arts (V&A) and "Styles in Art" (Sotheby's). Lifelong interest in the Colonial Decorative Arts. Resident of NSW.