National Trust Board of Directors

President
Ian Carroll OAM BA LLM(Hons)
Board member since: 2008

Career history: Ian Carroll is a former corporate and commercial law Partner of National legal firm Clayton Utz. Now a company director, he is a Director of Zurich Financial Services Australia Limited and its subsidiaries, and is or has been a director of other companies in the insurance, reinsurance, manufacturing, industrial and wholesaling sectors. He has previously held positions in various not-for-profit organisations, including President of UNICEF Australia, State Library Ambassador to the Legal Profession, and Member of the Council of Knox Grammar School, and has been honorary legal adviser to a number of such organisations.

Attributes he brings to the Trust: Ian is committed to the preservation of our built, natural and cultural heritage, including our indigenous and multi-cultural heritage, and to promoting heritage values to governments and the community, especially our younger and multi-cultural communities. He firmly believes that good governance and strategic and risk management of not-for-profit organisations are essential to the attainment of their worthy objectives.

Deputy President
Donald M Godden MSc UNSW
Board member since: 2006

Career history: 1967-75 Principal Field Investigator, Smithsonian Institution – UNSW Pakistan project; 1975-95 Senior lecturer, School of Architecture, UNSW; 1995-98 Director, Master of the Built Environment (Building Conservation) Course UNSW; 1985-99 Principal, Godden Mackay Logan (and predecessors) Heritage Consultants; 1999-2002 Chairman, Godden Mackay Logan, Heritage Consultants; 2002 to present, Grazier.

Attributes he brings to the Trust: An in-depth understanding of the importance of conserving the cultural (built) and natural heritage; over three decades of experience in identifying, assessing and providing comprehensive policies for the conservation of items of the environmental heritage; the ability to monitor and assess Conservation Management Plans prepared for the future care and management of the National Trust properties; the ability to assess the significance of the industrial heritage of the state and to make recommendations for its retention and conservation.  of the industrial heritage of the state and to make recommendations for its retention and conservation. 

Robyn Christie
BA (Hons), University of Sydney; BA (Architecture), University of Technology, Sydney; MA Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London; M Heritage Conservation, University of Sydney; Master of Architecture, University of Technology, Sydney – current.
Board member since: 2001

Career history
Robyn Christie is a heritage consultant who has specialised in the preparation of historical reports. She is a member of Australia ICOMOS; the Museums Association; an associate of the Professional Historians Association; and a student member of the RAIA. She has a strong academic and practical background, first working with the National Trust as a curator at the S.H. Ervin Gallery and then the Museum of Australian Childhood over a period of 10 years. Heritage contracts have included work at Susannah Place, Elizabeth Bay House, Juniper Hall, St Mary’s Cathedral and Central Railway Station.  Robyn is currently completing a postgraduate degree in architecture to investigate better designed contexts for heritage sites and character areas.  She is a member of five Trust committees and actively involved with her local community through the Hunters Hill Trust and represents the National Trust on the Council’s Conservation Advisory Panel.

Attributes she brings to the Trust: Having been closely associated with the Trust since 1982, Robyn brings a unique understanding of the history and culture of the Trust and the issues it has faced for over 25 years.

Professor Ross Griffith
BSc (Hons), UNSW; PhD, Leeds; C. Text., FTI; MAAFS
Board Member: 2009-2010, re-elected November 2011 for 2 year term

Career history
Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, Professor, University of New South Wales, 1965 – 1997; Head, School of Fibre Science and Technology, 1988 – 1997. Currently Principal of Griffith Services (Consultants); Emeritus Professor and Dean of Emeriti, UNSW; Adjunct Professor RMIT University. Former Director of The Smith Family (1985 – 2003); Director of Bardwell Valley Golf Club (1988 – 1994, 2006 – 2009); Secretary Bardwell Valley Advisory Committee 1994 – 1999.

Attributes he brings to the Trust
Ross brings to the Trust broad experience in the not-for-profit sector, at both senior management and Board level. He brings a personal commitment to the preservation of our cultural, built and natural heritage, based particularly on his voluntary work with the local community. His wide ranging academic activities have given him valuable experience in dealing with funding agencies (Government and corporate), and the intricacies of grant generation and funding.   

Ann Hardy
Newly elected 2011

Honours/Awards:
2010 - The Newcastle City Council Prize for Historical Research – University of Newcastle. 2010 - Hunter Bonafide Awards “Studious Bona” from Hunter Heritage Network

Education/qualifications:
BSW (Social Work), Grad. Dip Applied Heritage Studies. MA and PhD candidate (History)

Previous and Current appointments on the Trust Board and Committees, and on Boards external to the National Trust:
Newcastle City Councils Strategic Heritage Committee (2005-2007). Secretary, Hunter Region Committee of the National Trust (2006 – present). Newcastle City Council Strategic Heritage Committee (2005 – 2007). University of Newcastle’s Coal River Working Party (2006 – present). Hunter Heritage Network (2008 – present).

Meredith Hutton
BA.  MA (Merit) Syd. Diploma 18th and 19th Century Decorative Arts. Certificate Interior Design.
Board Member since 2011

Career History
I have been a member of the National Trust since 1981.  I worked  as a Specialist Archaeologist for the Heritage Council of NSW advising State Government involving rural, industrial and urban sites. Currently I work as a Heritage Consultant; preparing Conservation Management Plans, Archival Photographic Records, Archaeological Zoning Plans, Heritage Assessments,  Statements of Significance and Heritage Impact, restoration and refurbishment of commercial and rural properties. My voluntary work for the Trust includes the role of Chair for the Illawarra Shoalhaven Branch , management of Historic  properties and collections, public campaigns to protect built and natural sites and promoting a better understanding of heritage.

Attributes she Brings to the Trust:
I bring the perspective of a professional and volunteer to issues relevant to the Trust.  I have participated in  committees for  ICOMOS, Women’s College, State &Local Councils. Our Regional National Trust committee has engaged with broad sections of the community and all levels of government to successfully conserve and manage threatened heritage sites. I can assist the Trust to educate and support communities in their endeavors to value and conserve our cultural heritage.

Janine Kitson
BA, Dip Ed, M Ed, Dip TEFL, MA, M Ed (Hons), University of Sydney
Board member since: 2004

Career history: Teacher since 1982 – Secondary: English History; English as a Second Language; English as a Foreign Language Teacher in Japan; Secondary & Primary Educational Consultant for the Samoan Government;  Secondary & Primary Curriculum Writer for NSW Department of Education;  Primary:  English as a Second Language;  Classroom Teacher. Elected Councillor on Ku-ring-gai Council, 2000-2004. Company Secretary of Australian Dance Institute, a registered training organisation that provides qualifications for dancers and dance teachers. President, David G. Stead Memorial Wildlife Research Foundation of Australia. NSW Teachers Federation representative, NSW National Parks Association.     

Attributes she brings to the Trust:Janine has been an active member of many environmental and heritage groups.  An educator, community activist and environmentalist. Janine’s two main achievements have been: the redesign and relocation of lifts at Gordon Railway Station that balanced heritage with modern improvements, 2003-2004; and helping to save the St Ives Blue Gum High Forest –lobbied the State and Federal Government to purchase 100-102 Rosedale Road, two private blocks of land in the centre of the St Ives Blue Gum High Forest, 2004-2008.

Peter E Lowry OAM 
Board member since: 2004

Career History: A Company Director and lawyer who has worked in urban planning, research and development for both government and private sectors, combining these skills with a passion for heritage.
Chair, Diamond Jubilee Pillars Fundraising Committee; Recently appointed to Board, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority; ex-Board member, Sydney Harbour Federation Trust; member, Planning Institute of Australia; Board member, Ensemble Theatre; Board member, Planning Research Centre, University of Sydney; Editorial Committee of Trust Magazine. 

Attributes he brings to the Trust: Peter wishes to continue contributing commercial, managerial, heritage and fundraising experience to safeguard the National Trust’s financial sustainability and to preserve its role as an advocate and educator.

Keith Parsons
Newly elected 2011

Honours/Awards:
Honorary Life Member – National Trust (2002), National Trust Community Services Award (1995), NSW Planning Minister’s Heritage Volunteer Award (2009)

Education/qualifications:
B. Sc.

Previous and Current appointments on the Trust Board and Committees, and on Boards external to the National Trust:
I am a member of the Hunter Regional Committee (1974 - present), where I was also formerly the Chair (1999 – 2004) and the Deputy chair on numerous occasions (2009 - 2011). Previously I was a member and Chair of the former National Trust Hunter
Region Historic Buildings and Urban Design Committee and formerly Chair of Miss Porters’ House Management Committee.
I am also Chair of Newcastle City Council Strategic heritage Committee and have served as a Board member on the Hunter Heritage Centre, Newcastle Workers’ Health Centre, Newcastle Region Art Gallery Foundation and have been the vice–president of the Parks and Playgrounds Movement and Newcastle Gallery Society.

John Richardson
Board member since: 2010

Career history: Partner in Cox Richardson Architects and was President of the RAIA (NSW Chapter) in 1993. On the Board – Australian Services Round Table 2002 and a member of the Sydney Harbour Design Review Panel (1998 – 2008) and on the Board of the Sydney Cove Authority (1994 – 1998)

Attributes he brings to the Trust: Our heritage is continually threatened. Part 3A, the diminishing role of the Heritage Council and the Heritage Office, complying development and private certifiers all increase the threats. I would hope to bring my years of experience as an architect and Trust supporter to the Trust Board and make more noise.

Ian Stephenson
Board member since: 2010

I first joined the Trust in the 1970s and have been a member in NSW, Tasmania, the ACT and South Australia.

Career history: I have worked in historic place management, heritage advocacy and museums for over twenty years. My experience includes involvement in historic building management, advocacy, town planning issues, conservation planning, securing grant funding, implementing large scale works programs and liaising with Government Departments and members of Parliament.
I was the Trust’s Senior Curator (1990 – 2001), Director – Historic Places (National Trust of ACT - 2001 – 2006), CEO of The National Trust of South Australia (2007 – 2009) and am currently the University Curator at the University of New England.

Attributes he brings to the Trust: To foster the Trust’s primary strength which is its capacity to inspire volunteers to invest talent, energy and passion in realizing exciting projects in museums, education and advocacy and to engage audiences. To achieve financial stability there must be a balanced budget and stronger policies to protect and encourage endowments.