The Board of Patrons was established by the Board of Directors to give The Shepherd Centre access to a group of individuals who would publicly endorse the work of the Centre and offer advice on specific issues. This group has no statutory or governance responsibility. The Charter of the Board of Patrons is: “To assist and support the work of The Shepherd Centre through the endorsement of the Centre in the general community, with potential benefactors and with government. At times it may be asked to assist with introductions to people and organisations that may in turn support The Shepherd Centre.”
His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd)
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Companion of the Order of Australia, Distinguished Service Cross (Australia), former Senior Officer in the Australian Army is The Shepherd Centre’s Joint Patron. Prior to being sworn in as Governor-General, David Hurley served as the 38th Governor of New South Wales from October 2014 – May 2019.
Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley holds a Bachelor of Education at the University of Canberra and is passionate about the arts and music. The now-retired teacher has been an active member of the community as a Pastoral Carer at the Canberra Hospital and Hospice. Mrs Hurley is a member and Patron of ‘Solid Rock’, a Christian Ministry to women in Defence. She has been a member of the St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church choir in Canberra and is a member of the Australian Military Wives Choir. Mrs Hurley is dedicated to championing causes that are developing new technologies to recycle rubbish, and ways to reduce our society’s use of plastic. In 2019 Mrs Hurley joined her husband as Joint Patron of The Shepherd Centre.
Vice-Patron Mr John Fraser AO is a Director at AMP Limited and the Future Fund.
He was appointed Secretary to the Treasury by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott from 2015 to 2018.
Prior to that, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of UBS Global Asset Management.
During this time he was a member of UBS Group Executive Board and Chairman of UBS Saudi Arabia.
He is a graduate of Monash University with a first-class honours degree in Economics.
Vice-Patron Cathy Harris the Chair of Australia’s largest independent produce retailer, Harris Farm Markets, she is also a Commissioner of the Australian Rugby League.
She is also a Director of The National Gallery of Australia, The Australian Ballet and the UNSW Business School.
She has held the roles of Trustee of the SCG, Deputy Chancellor UNSW, The Director of Affirmative Action, a Director of ADFA, The MCA, and Chairperson of the Australia Japan Foundation.
Catherine is an Officer in the Order of Australia and was awarded the Australian Public Service Medal, The Centenary Medal and has an Honorary Doctorate in Business from UNSW.
Vice-Patron John Mangos is one of Australia’s most well-known television personalities.
He was the first Greek news presenter on Australian television and is one of the founding senior anchors of Sky News Australia.
He currently operates Megisti Media, a media training consultancy which works with and coaches some of Australia’s leading business and political figures.
Vice-Patron Dr Brendan Nelson AO is the current Director of the Australian War Memorial.
Prior to this, he was the Australian Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO from 2009 to 2012.
He served as a Parliamentarian, Minister and Leader of the Opposition between 1996 and 2009. Dr Nelson was the Minister for Education, Science and Training between 2001 and 2006 and the Minister for Defence between 2006 and 2007.
He is a former National President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and a graduate of Flinders University, with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery.
Vice-Patron Maurice Newman AC is currently Chairman of the Macquarie University Foundation, Taronga Foundation, Bradman Foundation, and The Australian Fathers’ Day Council. He is a Director of O’Connell Street Associates Pty Limited; Senior Corporate Advisor to the Marsh & McLennan Companies; Trustee, Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust; and Patron of CEDA.
He is a former Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) and former Chancellor of Macquarie University.
He was appointed Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council in 2013; and Honorary Professor at Macquarie University.
Vice-Patron Professor Jim Patrick AO is recognised as a world authority on cochlear implants and is one of the original engineers who pioneered the hearing device.
He was a member of Professor Graeme Clark’s original Cochlear Implant Research Team (1975 – 1981) at the University of Melbourne, which invented the world’s first multichannel cochlear implant. He was a founding member of Cochlear Limited (established 1981) where he is currently Chief Scientist – Emeritus.
In 2015 he was awarded the Order of Australia for distinguished service to science through the development of the cochlear implant; to biomedical research and engineering innovation; and to education and professional associations.
Vice-Patron Paul Roos is one of Australia’s most admired sporting personalities and leading motivational speakers.
The AFL premiership-winning coach is the former Head Coach of the Melbourne Demons and, outside sport, has made his mark as a renowned corporate speaker, television host, columnist and author.
He was named Australian Father of the Year in 2008 for his ability to balance the needs of his family with the responsibilities of managing a high-profile sports team.
