Patron & Board
Our Patron The Honourable Steve Bracks AC
Following his election to the Victorian Parliament for the Australian Labor Party in 1994, Steve Bracks went on to become Victoria’s 44th Premier in October, 1999.
He became one of Victoria’s most successful Premiers winning three consecutive elections including achieving record majorities in the 2002 and 2006 elections.
Whilst Premier, Mr Bracks rebuilt Victoria’s infrastructure and services while maintaining strong budgets and managing a growing economy.
He invested heavily in education and skills with Victoria’s retention rate to Year 12 education now one of the highest in Australia.
He also led a reform proposal through a National Reform Agenda designed to increase workplace participation, improve skills, reduce business regulation and boost productivity.
These proposals won backing from all Australian Governments.
During his term in office Steve Bracks’ government was responsible for the creation of the Great Otway National Park, the cessation of clear fell logging and the subsequent protection of this area’s incredibly valuable natural heritage. Mr Bracks has close personal ties to the Otway coastline and a keen knowledge of the area.
Mr Bracks at 52 retired as Premier of Victoria on 27 July 2007, after almost eight years as Premier, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.
Subsequent to his retirement as Premier of Victoria, The Hon Steve Bracks AC now holds six major honorary positions: as an Adviser to the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmao; as a Director of the Bionic Ear Institute Board; as Chair of the Deakin Foundation, Deakin University; and Centre for Dialogue, LaTrobe University. He is also Honorary Chair of the Union Education Foundation and the John Button Foundation.
Mr Bracks received a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2010 for services to the Parliament and community of Victoria. He has also received Honorary Doctorates from both Ballarat and Deakin Universities.
Our Board of Directors
Ian Wilcock (Chairman)
Ian Wilcock was a member of Australia’s diplomatic service for 38 years, retiring from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in 2010. He was Ambassador to Israel, High Commissioner to South Africa and had other diplomatic postings in London, Washington DC, Manila and Tel Aviv. A member of DFAT’s Senior Executive Service for 21 years, Ian also held a wide range of senior policy and management positions in DFAT’s headquarters in Canberra. He was DFAT’s State Director for Victoria from 2004 to 2008.
Ian was appointed in 2010 as Chair of Melbourne University’s Faculty Advisory Board for the Victorian College of the Arts and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Ian is based in Melbourne but now spends several months a year in Apollo Bay.
Dianne Clark
Di provides the CEC with expertise and advice in human resources.
Born and educated in Melbourne, Di has been involved in Human Resources for the majority of her career and established and operated a recruitment and search consultancy. Di has lived part time in Apollo Bay for more than 20 years and moved here permanently two years ago. Di is an original and current Trustee of the Apollo Bay Health Foundation.
Gerard McMahon
Gerard provides the CEC with strategic and operational financial advice.
Gerard is one of the founders of ISIS (Australia’s leading commercial property services group) and was formerly the Financial Director. He has over 25 years’ experience in the construction industry, holds a Diploma in Accounting and is a Registered Building Practitioner in Victoria. He has day to day responsibility for a number of key ISIS corporate functions including People Strategies, Learning and Development, Sustainability, Risk Management and Communications. Gerard shares his time between Melbourne, Sydney and Apollo Bay.
Associate Professor Charlie Corke
Charlie provides the CEC with strategic and management advice.
After training as a physician and anaesthetist Charlie chose to specialise in intensive care. He left the UK in 1986 and worked in Hong Kong before coming to Australia. With extensive Board and management experience, Charlie was Director of Intensive Care at The Geelong Hospital until 2009 and is now a senior specialist in Geelong and is on the Board of the College of Intensive Care Medicine, is Education Officer for the College and is also an examiner for the College. Charlie has published a number of papers and books on medicine, anaesthesia and intensive care. He has extensive experience in concept development and application in a diverse range of projects including developing IT systems to enhance quality health care delivery, improved methods of medical training and decision making and communication in relation to End-of-Life care. Charlie brings a broad range of skills to the CEC and divides his time between Geelong and Apollo Bay.
Alison Corke
Ali provides the CEC with advice and expertise in public relations and communications.
Ali has been involved in advertising, public relations and communications for the majority of her career, working freelance for a variety of organisations and charities. Born and educated in England, where she established and ran her PR company ‘Words’, Ali came to Melbourne in 1986. After living near Geelong, Ali now resides and works permanently in Apollo Bay.
Dr Alicia Kennedy
Lissi provides the CEC with advice and expertise in wildlife veterinary care, access to other wildlife specialists and strategic planning.
Lissi is a highly experienced practising veterinarian having worked in Australia and overseas, including a number of years in China. She also has a strong history of involvement in international philanthropic organisations including the Jane Goodall Institute and is the founder of the the Benuu Foundation. She is currently living and working in Geelong.