Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation

Chair – Michael Luchich 

Michael has been on the AFC Foundation Board for 7 years including 4 years as Treasurer and was appointed as the Chairman of the AFC Foundation to lead the Foundation in 2009.
 
The Foundation’s Charter is to inspire and stimulate young people to participate in the arts and culture by raising funds for specific projects that will nurture young people at the AFC.

Adelaide born, 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..

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.

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.

Other Professional affiliations & activities;

Chair, AIIA (Australian Information Industry Association)  S.A.
Board member Flinders Medical Centre Foundation
Executive Trustee, Olympic Games Appeal Committee
Former Board member, SA Great
Former Board member, API S.A.
Former Board Member, University of South Australia ITR Advisory Board


Treasurer – Richard Hockney
State General Manager, Westpac Retail and Business Banking SA/NT/TAS

Richard has worked in the Banking and Finance industry for over 23 years, holding various senior leadership positions in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and the UK and commenced as the State General Manager of Westpac’s Retail and Business Banking for South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania in May 2009.

Richard graduated from the Advance Management Program at Harvard University 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, Treasurer of the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation and Board member of the Bedford Group (Chairman of the Bedford Foundation Board). Richard is also a member of the Prince Alfred College Council and the Adelaide Crows Investment Committee.

Richard is a South Australian boy who grew up in Willunga and lived away from SA for 14 years from the late 80’s. He now lives in Adelaide with his wife, Caroline, and their two children, Emma and Harry, and travels down to the Fleurieu Peninsula as often as possible.

Richard enjoys spending time with his family & friends and loves his sport. He still plays competitive cricket and the occasional game of golf & tennis. He is a loyal supporter of the Adelaide Crows and Sturt Football Club.

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 


Albert Bensimon

Albert’s formal education was in marketing and for the past 30 years has been the owner and Managing Director of a multi-state chain of retail jewellery stores.

Albert has served on several arts board - founding member of the Helpmann Academy Foundation Board; Member of State Opera Board;  Benefactor of the Art Gallery of South Australia. He is a supporter of numerous charity organisations, including Past President of the Hutt Street Centre Foundation; United Refugee Fund; Adelaide Rotary Club (recipient of the Paul Harris Medal).  In his business capacity Albert has been President of the Retailers Association of Australia and the Jewellers Association of Australia.

Albert feels deeply committed to the arts community and in particular, the support of young emerging artists.


Brian Cunningham
Brian has over 18 years experience as a Chief Executive in both the Private and Public Sectors. He has wide ranging experience in leading organizations over that time in the following industries and sectors in State and National markets:
- Sports Leadership and Management
- Training/Education/Workforce Development
- Manufacturing and Business Sustainability
- International Market Development
- Science, Technology and Innovation
- Small Business and Regional Development


Legh Davis

Legh Davis is a senior consultant with national stockbroker RBS Morgans. He has had a long-standing interest in the arts from his school and university days when he participated in stage productions and radio plays with the ABC.

Legh was the Liberal spokesman for the Arts for many years during his time as a member of the Legislative Council. He is a former board member of Artbank.

He believes the Foundation plays an important role in promoting the arts to younger people as well as encouraging philanthropic support for the Adelaide Festival Centre which is the hub of the performing arts in South Australia.


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 and followed this as the Inaugural Chair of the South Australian Country Arts Trust, 1993-99.
Marjorie was the Chair of the Steering Committee set up to establish the Carclew Youth Performing Arts Centre in the 1970s, a Board member for ten years and is now its Patron.

In 2010 Marjorie received the Premier’s Award for Lifetime Achievement at South Australia’s Arts and Cultural Awards – the prestigious Ruby Awards. She had also been awarded the  ‘S.A. Great’ South Australian of the Year for the Arts in 2007.

Continuing her efforts on behalf of South Australia’s arts community Marjorie has been a board member of the Festival Centre Foundation since 2008 and Patron of its Bequest Program since 2010. She maintains an active role within the Independent Arts Foundation, as a Life Member and former Chair, helping to raise funds for scholarships for young emerging South Australian artists and technicians.

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).


Guy Roberts

Guy Roberts is the Managing Director and CEO of Penrice, Australia’s sole manufacturer and major exporter of soda chemicals and a large regional limestone mine operator.  Returning to Adelaide from Melbourne to assume this role in 2007, Guy joined Penrice after more than 15 years with Orica Limited where he held a number of senior executive positions in chemicals, plastics and paints businesses in Australia, New Zealand, United States and the United Kingdom.

A former barrister and solicitor with Minter Ellison and also Orica, Guy undertook his legal training at the University of Adelaide, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.

Guy has a keen interest in supporting policy development that promotes and grows South Australian businesses in a sustainable manner and with the ability to compete both nationally and internationally.  He is currently a Board member of Business SA, a State Council member of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) SA, a member of  the Australian Institute of Company Directors,  a Board member of the National Lime Association of Australia and a Board Director for the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation and is keenly involved in coaching junior  sports (football and cricket) as help skill development for SA’s youth.


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.


Joanne Staugas
Joanne has over 30 years of legal practice experience and 10 years experience on state government boards. Her legal practice focuses on the advisory and dispute aspects of major federal and state government funded infrastructure projects. She also has expertise in governance and legal compliance.
Joanne’s board experience includes nine years as a member of the board of the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust (retired on 31 December 2009).  Joanne chaired the Audit and Finance Committee for six years and was also a member of the Adelaide Festival Centre Cabaret Festival Advisory Committee.

Joanne is currently a board member of 
- The Adelaide Entertainment Centre
- The Adelaide Festival Centre Trust Foundation
- The University of Adelaide Law School Advisory Board
- Australian Sponsorship 4 African Kids (AS4AK)

Joanne was a member of the Steering Committee for the recent Entertainment Centre Upgrade, and was a member of the Steering Committee for the Dunstan Playhouse Upgrade.

Joanne is involved with the following organisations
- Chair of the Law Society of South Australia’s ADR Committee
- Member of the Law Council of Australia’s ADR Committee
- LEADR accredited mediator
- Member of the Law Society of South Australia’s Managing Committee of the Indigenous Law Students Mentoring Program.