Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation

Chair – Michael Luchich 

Michael has been on the AFC Foundation Board and Treasurer for the last 4 years and has recently been appointed as the Chairman of the AFC Foundation to lead the Foundation in  audience development and re-development.

Adelaide born, Michael spent his sporting youth in the Australian Athletic Squad for the 400m and 800m track events for over nine years as well as representing South Australia in the 400m and 800m events at State & National championships.  He has also played Australian Rules Football for West Torrens as well as competition squash for numerous years.

Michael joined Telstra in 1999 in the role of State Director. Prior to joining Telstra, Michael held a number of senior executive management roles in South Australia, Australia and New Zealand within the IT industry with companies, Olivetti Australia, Dell Computers Australia, Honeywell and Datamatic Pty Ltd.  Prior to this Michael held engineering and technical roles with the Department of Defence in Adelaide and Nabalco in Nhulunbuy NT.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and a Diploma of Management. Michael is currently a Board Director of SA Great and API SA.  He also acts as an Executive Trustee for the Olympic Games Appeal Committee, as a Board Director and Treasurer for the Flinders Medical Centre Cancer Foundation and a Board Member for the University of South Australia ITR Advisory Board.

Treasurer – Richard Hockney

Richard has worked in the Banking and Finance industry for over 22 years, holding various senior leadership positions in Melbourne, Sydney and the UK and commenced as the State General Manager of Westpac’s Retail and Business Banking for South Australia and the Northern Territory in March 2009.

Richard graduated from the Advance Management Program at HarvardUniversity in 2006. He holds a Bachelor of Business, Majoring in Marketing, from the University of SA and a Graduate Diploma from the Securities Institute.

He is a Regional Councillor of Finsia and CEDA, Board member of Bedford (Chairman of the Bedford Foundation Board) and Member of the Special Olympics 2010 National Games Board.

Richard lives in Adelaide with wife Caroline and their two children Emma and Harry.  

Youth Patron – Niki Vasilakis

Niki Vasilakis is regarded as one of the most exciting violinists to have emerged from Australia. Her regular appearances on Australian Television networks, magazines, newspapers and a busy international schedule of concerts and recordings have already made her name familiar to a wide public.

Recent engagements for Niki Vasilakis include a guest performance for the Australian Prime Minister at a State Dinner, Performances at the Rockefeller Centre New York for the Anzac day memorial, UN head quarters New York, Washington Cathedral, Athens Olympic Torch Celebrations Sydney Opera House and ‘Symphony in the park’ as soloist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra with a live audience of 30,000 people.

Niki is currently Young South Australian of the Year 2007 in recognition of her outstanding achievements in music and her extensive commitment to community work, including volunteer programs and teaching community groups.

Today Niki continues her commitment to the wider community with regular visits to central Australia to run holiday music programs with indigenous children.  Niki donates her time to be the ambassador of both ‘Suzuki’ South Australia and ‘The Australian String teachers Association’ where she works to encourage and inspire young individuals. Niki is newly appointed youth patron for the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation and also continues to volunteer her time to a local music schools mentor teachers and students.

Niki commenced her violin studies in Adelaide at the age of four with Beryl Kimber, and has since received many awards, including the Elder Conservatorium Concerto Prize, the Nelly Apt Scholarship, and the Perry Hart Memorial Prize (twice).

Niki plays an Antonio Guadagnini Violin 1872 

Chris Doudle

Chris Doudle is the founder and Managing Director of Corporate Conversation, one of South Australia’s largest public relations and corporate communications firms. He is a former SA President of the Young Entrepreneurs’ Organisation and former SA President of the Public Relations Institute of Australia.

Chris has also co-authored a book called ‘State of Mind’, which profiled the success secrets of 50 leading entrepreneurs. He has had a strong interest in the arts since his childhood, and is keen to promote greater youth involvement in the arts generally.

Marjorie Fitz-Gerald

After extensive service to the community through Local Government, including as Mayor of St Peters, Marjorie joined the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust in 1983. She spent ten years on the board, during which time she also chaired the Adelaide Fringe.

Marjorie was the Chair of the Steering Committee set up to establish Carclew Youth Performing Arts Centre in the 1970s, a Board member for 10 years and is now its Patron. In 2007 Marjorie was awarded the S.A. Great South Australian of the Year for the Arts, recognizing her lifetime commitment to the Arts in South Australia.

Marjorie’s involvement in arts administration began when her children were young, now they are bringing their children to workshops and productions.  This Foundation is to ensure that future generations will enjoy the value and delight of live theatre arts in South Australia.

Lady Hardy

Lady Hardy (formerly Joan McInnes) was a member of the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation Advisory Board for 6 years and has always held a strong connection with the Adelaide Festival Centre.

Born and bred in South Australia she currently resides in Sydney but spends a third of her time with her husband Sir James Hardy at their Glenelg apartment.

Lady Hardy is Patron of the Flinders Medical Research Centre Foundation and Patron of the Australian Ladies Variety Association (ALVA).

Rosalind Neale

Rosalind is a recognised leader in the real estate industry and is Managing Director of her own successful real estate business.  She is a Past President of The Real Estate Institute of South Australia and a Past Board Member of the Real Estate Institute of Australia.

Rosalind was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to experience live theatre and music from a very young age and believes that same opportunity should be available to enrich the lives of others.

Guy Roberts

Guy is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Penrice Soda Holdings Limited.

Guy is an experienced international chemical company executive who was with Orica Australia group (formerly ICI Australia) for many years.  He has wide experience in chemical, plastics and consumer markets in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Unites States.

Guy held a number of senior executive positions with Orica, including Managing Director and General Manager, roles in chemical manufacturing and distribution, plastics manufacturing and distribution, paint manufacturing and retailing in Australia and New Zealand.

Guy is also a former barrister and solicitor with Minter Ellison Lawyers and Senior Legal Counsel with Orica, responsible for major projects, mergers and acquisitions across the Group’s portfolio in Australian, New Zealand, Asia, United States and the United Kingdom.

Guy is a Board member of the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation and a State Council member of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA).  He holds a Bachelor of Law (University of Adelaide) and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (University of Adelaide).

David W Simmons

David Simmons has a legal background having been a senior partner and chairman of Thomson Playford.

David is now mainly involved as director and advisor to a wide range of companies including Assist Finance limited, A Raptis & Sons, the Hines Group, the PT Group, the Shields Group and the David Roache Foundation.

He also acts on a pro bono basis for a number of charity organisations and acts as a mentor to a number of individuals in different areas.  He has a wide range of interests including tennis, gardening, cooking and history.

Bill Spurr

Mr Spurr’s extensive experience in the tourism and hospitality industries dates back to the early ‘80s when he was the Executive Director of the Australian Hotels Association. He then spent several years as the Head of School, Tourism and Hospitality, Adelaide College of TAFE.

In his role as Executive Director of the Adelaide Tourism and Convention Authority, he was responsible for a dramatic rise in the promotion of Adelaide as a convention venue and tourist destination.

In 1995, he became the General Manager of the newly formed Australian Major Events group with the agenda of attracting significant sporting and cultural events to South Australia, and promoting their benefits within the State.

The South Australian Tourism Commission and Australian Major Events became one organisation in March 1997. Mr Spurr held the position as Chief Executive of the South Australian Tourism Commission from 1999 until July 2007.

Mr Spurr is currently Chair of Education Adelaide, a Board member of the Adelaide Entertainment Centre; the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust; Sealink Travel Group; the Adelaide Fringe and is an adjunct Professor of Tourism at Flinders University.