Tom was initially a primary school teacher, school principal and senior executive in the Queensland Department of Education. He is currently Managing Director of Merchant Place Investments, Chairman of the Trade Glass Depot Group and The Hilton Misso Group. He has also served as a non-executive chair and/or director in the construction, education services, property development, property services and for-purpose sectors.
Tom joined the Board as an independent Director of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia in 2005 and has subsequently held a number of roles including honorary secretary and treasurer. The Governor General, as Patron to the Award, endorsed Tom’s appointment as Chair for the period 2024 to 2026.
Tom was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2019, for distinguished service to youth, particularly through charitable awards programs, and to public administration and education. Tom is a recipient of the Gold and Silver Distinguished Service Medals for eminent service to the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Australia.
Cameron Smart has over 4 decades of experience in the institutional-grade commercial property profession. Cameron began his career with Craig Miller Pty Ltd where he was responsible for the property and asset management of a portfolio of commercial properties, gained experience as a property valuer as well as exposure to court work in the areas of land acquisition, resumption and family law. Throughout his career with several high-profile property companies including Richard Stanton & Sons and Landsburys International (of which he was a founder), he has been responsible for investment sales and acquisitions for and on behalf of high-net-worth individuals, property trusts and institutions.
Cameron has also become involved with some of Australia’s leading commercial property owners, guiding their investment and development strategies, including but not limited to the Uniting Church in Australia. Cameron has been an active committee member of BOMA (the forerunner to the PCA) and a non-executive Director of the Uniting Church Trust Association, a role which he held for some 13 years. Through his involvement with the Uniting Church, Cameron has also served on School Councils, The Board of Education (the church’s governing body for its educational and conference activities) Burnside Homes and the Board of Finance & Property for 3 decades.
Cameron is a Non-Executive Director of Providence Philanthropic Foundation. Cameron is a board-appointed director on the National Board of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award- Australia (since 2012) and he also serves as Treasurer of The Friends of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Australia. He is currently Acting Chair and also Chairs the Risk Management Committee and Structure Review Committee. Cameron is a recipient of the Silver Distinguished Service Medal for eminent service to the Duke of Ed in Australia.
Cameron is also an intrepid maritime explorer within excess of 5,000 hours at sea and since the age of 18 has enjoyed diverse forms of agricultural interests and pursuits in livestock (cattle & sheep) and cropping.
Cameron has always championed for the rights of those less fortunate, those in society who deserve to be heard but due to circumstances are unable to speak for or defend themselves. To this end, he has been an advocate for the “rollout” of the Duke of Ed campaign supporting those less fortunate from all walks of life to be able to undertake the Award and in doing so achieve their full potential. He has also had an involvement since his formative years with cerebral palsy, working to ensure those suffering from this terrible affliction are able to enjoy the best quality of life possible. Cameron has been fortunate to be able to bring this ethos to his professional career, acting on behalf of many disposed property owners to ensure they receive fair compensation from the acquiring authority under the “Just Terms Compensation Act”.
Nick is the Managing Director and co-founder of Merchant Place, a private investment company with offices in Sydney and Brisbane. Merchant Place invests in mid-market businesses on behalf of owner/investors. Amongst his varied career background he has been an investment analysts, CFO and an advisor to a federal government Minister
Nick is the Chair of the Duke of Ed’s Investment committee and an Award Ambassador.
Celia Murphy joined the Office of Sport in April 2020 as Executive Director, Policy and Planning. Celia has 20 years’ experience in shaping policy and implementing major reforms at a state and national level. She has a background in regulation including operational and policy leadership roles. Prior to joining the Office of Sport, Celia held senior roles with the National Disability Insurance Agency and the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet. Celia is currently the Chair of our NSW Division of the Award (since 2020).
Honorary Doctor of Education [Central Queensland University], Bachelor of Economics [University of Queensland], Diploma in Education [University of Queensland], Associate in Music, Australia [Australian Music Examinations Board], GAICD.
Ms Foley has had an extensive career with the Department of Education Qld, including Institute Director, Brisbane North Institute of TAFE, Regional Executive Director, Fitzroy-Central West Queensland Region, Education Queensland, and various regional, district, principal, deputy principal and teacher roles throughout Queensland. She continues her involvement in the broader education and business sectors through involvement in leadership development, executive coaching, review and evaluation as co-founder, CEO and Principal Consultant of PotentialPlus Solutions.
Ms Foley is highly experienced in governance, leadership, and across all levels of education, including international operations. She is currently the Chair of the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board (Qld), Chair of the Queensland State Award Committee for Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and Bridge Awards programs. She was previously a member of the Council of Central Queensland University Australia and of the University of Southern Queensland. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders, and has participated in the Australian and New Zealand School of Government Executive Fellows Program. Lynne is involved in many activities and positions with Zonta International, currently as International Committee Chair for Zonta Spirit, and Vice President of her local club.
Lynne was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2016 for service to technical and further education in Queensland.
Sue has an extensive background in business and administration both nationally and internationally. She had a long and distinguished 32-year career with the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) presiding over a broad portfolio. She held the position of Deputy Chief Executive from 2002-2011. She worked extensively with the Australian Government and Victorian Government from 2004-2011 during which time she initiated and championed the VRC’s International Strategy across the globe. Since retiring from the VRC Sue has worked as a consultant for the private sector and the Victorian State Government having adopted a lead role with Government (sector) Trade Missions to Asia, Turkey and the Middle East.
Drawing on her broad business skills Sue has developed a portfolio of board positions around commercial, education and cultural industries. Sue is Chair of Awards Victoria Ltd., Chair of Advisory Board, RMIT University School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, Board Member of Bendigo Art Gallery Ltd and Past Deputy Chair and Audit Chair of Melbourne Fashion Festival Ltd. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). In 2003 Sue received the Committee for Melbourne Achiever Award and in 2012 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) to recognise her achievements for the thoroughbred racing industry; for the promotion of women and for community work. Sue is currently the Chair of our Victorian Division of the Award (since 2019).
Joe is a Member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and prior to this, as General Manager at Australian Transit Group. He is also an Active Reservist with the Royal Australian Navy and has continued to be a volunteer firefighter with over nine years’ experience. Joe served as both a Marine Technical sailor in the Navy and later as a qualified Submarine Officer where he completed multiple overseas operational and border protection deployments. In 2008, he was elected as the Member for Jandakot and initially appointed Chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and the Deputy Chair of the Public Accounts Committee. In 2013 he was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Emergency Services, Corrective Services, Small Business, Veterans, and later, Fisheries. Joe is currently the Chair of our West Australia Division of the Award (since 2018).
David graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and is currently a partner in the Adelaide office Assurance practice of EY. A qualified chartered accountant and registered company auditor (ASIC), David manages a wide variety of clients that range from small businesses to large corporate and government organisations.
David is a Board Member of the Animal Welfare League in SA, the Helpmann Academy and Prince Alfred College. Until recently, he was the Chairman of Moo Premium Foods Pty Ltd and the President of Zoos SA. Additionally, David is involved with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award through his roles as Chairman for SA Friends of the Award and was appointed a Board Member for the National and Friends Boards in 2016.
Stephen joined the Western Australian DoE Board in 2007. Was Chair of the Western Australian Board and National Board Member until 2012. Stephen has been an independent director of the National Board since 2017.
Stephen and Kerrie Hauville are proud Ambassadors of the Australian DoE Award family.
Born and raised in Western NSW Stephen went to Boarding School in Brisbane. Has since lived and worked in Lismore, Sydney and Perth. Now semi retired in Perth with interests in Child Care operations and property.
Stephen has over 35 years experience in retailing. Including five years as Harvey Norman General Manager of the Electrical Division and executive Board member.
His other responsibilities included being a member of the Harvey Norman Audit and property committees. Stephen was responsible for overseas expansion including establishing operations in Singapore Slovenia and Ireland.
Stephen has also been the retailing representative on the Board of the Western Australia Chamber of Commerce. (1998-2000)
Stephen was a Board Member and Deputy Chair of the Western Australian Cricket Board. (2012-2015)
Bob Rutherford was formerly Deputy Secretary of Industry and Business Development in the Department of State Growth, Tasmania. He is a board member of NRM South and undertakes consultancy on public policy issues.
His first career was as an academic economist at the University of Tasmania until he left theory for policy analysis and implementation in government as Economic Advisor to Premier Michael Field from 1990-1992 playing a significant advisory role on public finance, microeconomic reform and other major policy decisions.
He has been Deputy Secretary in both Infrastructure, Energy and Resources and Premier and Cabinet, acted as Secretary on many occasions and held the following statutory positions: Electricity Regulator, Transport Commissioner, Director of Mines and Director of Energy Planning. Bob is currently the Chair of our Tasmania Division of the Award (since 2016).
Daryl, in 2018 was admitted as a member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Daryl was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa in 2010 by Charles Darwin University in recognition of his contribution to the people of the Northern Territory.
Daryl was a member of the Northern Territory Police for 15 years. In 1983 he was elected to the Northern Territory Parliament as the Member for Sanderson and served as a Cabinet Minister for a period of 18 years.
During this time, he held most portfolios, including 10 years as Attorney General. He retired from Parliament in October 2001. Since his 2001 ‘retirement’ has Daryl kept busy by co-presenting a talk/current affairs radio show on Territory FM 1041, he did this for 15 years. He also volunteered and served on with a wide range of organisations across the NT.
He was Chair of the Defence Reserve Support Committee NT/Kimberley, a Board Member of Automobile Association of the Northern Territory of Australia, Chair of the Australia Day Council NT, Chair of the Darwin International Airport Community Aviation Advisory Group, and a Member of the Northern Territory Law Society Appeals Committee.
He was Patron of the Motor Vehicle Enthusiasts Club, Northern Territory Football Federation, of the Northline Speedway, the NT Motor Sports Council, the Variety Club of the Northern Territory and the Darwin Military Museum.
Daryl is a Life Member of the NT Chamber of Commerce, Darwin Riders and Drivers Association, the Variety Club of the Northern Territory, and the Dragon Boat Association NT.
Daryl is currently appointed as a Director on the National Board and as Chair of Northern Territory Division of the Award (2016 onwards).
