Our patrons
Dr Sally Murphy – Author, poet and educator
Sally Murphy fell in love with books and poetry as a child, and decided that she would never stop reading and writing. She has managed to turn this love of the written word into a career as a children’s author, poet and academic.
With over 50 books published, including award winning verse novels Pearl Verses the World and Worse Things, Sally completed Doctoral Studies in creative writing with her topic being Belonging In and For Children’s Poetry. She also uses her love of children’s literature in her work at Curtin University, where she lecturers in literacy and education.
Having previously been a judge for the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards she is delighted to continue her connection by becoming a Patron.
The Honourable Mark Vaile – Whitehaven Coal Chair
As Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Leader of the National party from 2005 to 2007, Mark established an extensive network of contacts throughout Australia and East Asia, his focus at home was with regional Australia and particularly northern NSW. As one of Australia’s longest serving Trade Ministers from 1999 through until 2006 Mark lead negotiations resulting in Free Trade Agreements with the United States of America, Singapore and Thailand as well as launching negotiations with China, Japan and ASEAN.
Importantly, early in his ministerial career as Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark was instrumental in the establishment of the ARTC which operates the Hunter Valley rail network.
Mark brings significant experience as a company director having been chairman of Aston Resources and CBD Energy Limited, and is currently an independent director on boards of Virgin Australia Limited and Servcorp Limited which are listed on the ASX. Mark is also Director of Stamfordland Corp which is listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange and a Director Trustee of HostPlus Superfund and Chairman of Palisade Regional Infrastructure Fund.
Past patrons list
