Inspiring People

Allison Shreeve
As a committed and dedicated athlete, Allison has proudly represented Australia at the highest level of Windsurfing. Her notable successes cover achievements in four different windsurfing classes. Allison was named Windsurfing World Champion in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and is currently ranked number 1 in the World of Formula Windsurfing. Allison was also selected as Australia's Female Sailor of the year in 2006. In March this year, Allison successfully completed windsurfing 115km of the Bass Strait Challenge in formidable conditions.

Anne Robinson
Anne is the founder and principal of Prolegis Lawyers, a company that specialises in providing legal services to not-for-profit and other charitable organisations. She has been involved in governance of not-for-profit organisations for the last twenty five years and In addition to this, serves on the boards of a number of major Australian not for profit public companies. Anne is currently Chairman of the Board of World Vision Australia.

Bishop Alan Stewart
Al Stewart is the Anglican Bishop of Wollongong. But that was not his intention on entering the University of New South Wales in the late seventies. Al studied marketing and commerce with the aim of making as much money as possible. But after taking up a challenge to read the gospels his life took a significant turn. Until recently, he was CEO of Anglican Youthworks and he has authored a number of books for youth but his latest work is on Men and Midlife.

Brad Mackay
Brad is a rugby league legend. A stalwart of the St George Club, he played 17 Origin games for NSW and 12 tests for Australia. In 1993, he became one of only two players in history to win the Clive Churchill Medal in a losing grand final side. After the death of his wife, Joanne, from breast cancer in 2002 he established the Joanne Mackay Helping Hand Foundation.

Colin Buchanan
Colin is a singer-songwriter, an eight-time Golden Guitar winner and a recipient of several APRA and ARIA awards. Since first appearing on ABC TV's Play School in 1993, followed by appearances on the 7 Network/Disney Channel's Playhouse Disney, Colin has been solidly ensconced as one of the most beloved (and recognisable) faces of Australian children's television. Loved by kids and adults alike, Colin is a regular contributor on Drive Time with Richard Glover on 702 Radio.

Commissioner Andrew Scipione APM
Andrew Scipione has been NSW Commissioner of Police since 2008. His experience in the force encompasses general duties, detective appointments, and anti-terrorism. Commissioner Scipione is a recipient of the Australian Police Medal and the National Medal. He holds a Masters Degree in Management , is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Graduate of the FBI National Executive.

David Simmons
David is a rugby league player for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. His position of choice is at fullback, wing, or centre. Soon after he burst onto the scene with the Sharks at fullback he was the team's top try-scorer with a total of 16 tries. He has recently signed with the Penrith Panthers for 2010 and beyond.

Dr John Best
John Best is a sports medicine expert whose experience is regarded across sports and across country borders. John spent six years as the medical director for the Wallabies, Australia's rugby internationals, during a period of unprecedented success. He was appointed as the Tournament Medical Officer for the Rugby World Cup and has represented Australian Rugby on the International Rugby Board's Medical Advisory and Anti-doping Committees working in areas of safety and player well-being.

Dr John Dickson
John holds a PhD in Ancient History and is a well known author, speaker and biblical historian. He directs Australia's Centre for Public Christianity and is a Senior Research Fellow of the Department of Ancient History, Macquarie University, where he teaches a course on Christian origins and world religions. His historical documentary Life of Jesus aired nationally on Channel 7 in April this year.
John will be a regular panelist. He will make some concluding remarks about the enduring impact of the life of Jesus today.

Dr Karin Sowada
Karin Sowada is an Australian archaeologist and a former senator — one of the youngest to serve in Federal Parliament. She was a republican delegate to the Constitutional Convention that led to the 1999 Australian republic referendum. An academic and egyptologist, Sowada served as the assistant curator of the Nicholson Museum until 2005. She is presently a researcher in Egyptian archaeology with Macquarie University and is a specialist in the foreign relations of Egypt and the Near East during the Bronze Age.

Dr Kim Oates AM
Dr Kim Oates is Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Sydney, having had a long career in pioneering work for child health. He spent most of his professional life at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, where he had many roles, including the hospital's Chief Executive for eight years. His early pediatric training included posts at St Mary's Hospital in London; Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Dr Michael Spence
Dr Spence is Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sydney. Dr Spence is an alumnus of the University, having graduated with First Class Honours in English, Italian and Law and LLB. Before leaving for the University of Oxford in 1988 to undertake doctoral studies, Dr Spence lectured in Law at the University and also worked for the Australian Copyright Council. During his time at Oxford, Dr Spence became internationally recognised as a leader in the field of intellectual property theory. Dr Spence is an ordained Anglican Minister.

Dr Richard Chin (Moderator)
Richard is Chaplain of Wollongong University, a post he has held for 14 years. He serves as the National Director of the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students, and as the South Pacific Regional Secretary for the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. Richard is the ultimate multi-cultural man who describes himself a Malaysian-born Chinese Aussie. He trained and practised as a general practitioner before leaving the medical profession to retrain and work with University students.

Ewen Crouch
Ewen is Chairman and Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Allens Arthur Robinson. He is one of Australia's leading M&A lawyers and was named Australian Dealmaker of the Year at the 2006 Australasian Law Awards. Ewen advised St.George Bank on its merger into Westpac Banking Corporation last year and in 2007 advised Wesfarmers on its A$20 billion acquisition of Coles Group, the largest takeover in Australian corporate history. Ewen has been appointed Chairman of Mission Australia with effect from November 2009.

James Millar
James Millar is former Managing Partner, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer from 1993 to 2009, and is now Consultant to the chartered accountants Ernst & Young. James commenced his career in the reconstruction practice, conducting some of the largest corporate workouts of the early 1990's. Born and educated in Sydney, James has qualifications in business and accounting and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia, and the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants.

Jason Stevens
Jason Stevens came to prominence as a powerhouse forward for the Cronulla Sharks in the National Rugby League competition and also for Australia and New South Wales. As a footballer his talents have always been obvious, from his early days playing with St George, where he played a Grand Final at the age of just 20. But Stevens also excelled academically; completing a Bachelor of Commerce Degree at the University of New South Wales and outside of league he has thrown himself into many worthwhile charitable projects.

Jim Wallace AM
Brigadier (ret.) Jim Wallace has had unique experience in defence & security after 32 year career which included command of the SAS Regt, Special Forces & the Army's mechanised Brigade of three thousand personnel & most of the Army's fighting vehicles. A graduate of the Royal Military College in Canberra, the British Army Staff College & the Australian College of Defence & Strategic Studies, he is a sought after commentator on security issues. In 1984 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to counter-terrorism.

June Dally-Watkins OAM
Known for her impeccable style, June has been at the forefront of Australian personal and professional development for more than 50 years. Building on her modeling success, June helps young Australians to develop poise and confidence. June established the first Personal Development School in the Southern Hemisphere in 1950 and has expanded the school to include Australia's first Business Finishing College. She also offers school holiday programs, weekend courses and corporate training.

Justice Ken Handley AO
The Hon. Justice Ken Handley is a Judge of the New South Wales Court of Appeal, having served in the role since 1990. Justice Handley is also President of St John Ambulance Australia (NSW). Chief Justice James Spigelman has described Justice Handley as "the quintessential lawyer's lawyer" because of his encyclopaedic knowledge of case law throughout the common law world. Justice Handley was designated an Officer of the Order of Australia, for service to the law and to religion.

Justin Moffatt
Justin has recently swapped an urban jungle called Manhattan for an urban life in Sydney. Working as a pastor at Christ Church, New York City Justin saw the aftermath of the tragedy of 9/11 up close. He has recently returned with his family to Australia to take up a new role as Senior Minister of St Philip's in the heart of the Sydney CBD.

Like John Dickson, Justin will make some concluding remarks regarding the spiritual inspiration that drives our panelists.

Karl Faase (Moderator)
Karl is the host of "Face to Face", a weekly national television program broadcast across Asia and in the U.K. Karl is also the Executive Director of the Australian Arrow Leadership Development Program and a Director of the Media Project, "Jesus All About Life". He leads the Gymea Baptist Church in Sydney.

Karl will host the events and moderate the panel discussions.

LTGEN David Hurley AO DSC
David is Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force and has been a soldier for more than 30 years. David Hurley graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon in December 1975 into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. His initial posting was to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR). In 1993, as Commander of 1 RAR, he led Operation SOLACE in Somalia. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for this service. In 2004 David was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia for his leadership and distinguished service.

Nick Farr-Jones AM
Best known as a former captain of the Australian Rugby Union football team, Nick played his early first grade rugby for Sydney University while he worked as a lawyer. He made his international debut for the Wallabies on 3 November 1984 and after playing in the 1986 Bledisloe Cup series win against the All Blacks, he played in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987. A year later, at the age of 25, he was named Australian Captain. He was awarded an AM in 1992 for services to Rugby, but off-field has been active in business, education and charity work.

Paul Osborne
Paul Osborne has had a long career in Rugby League as both a player and administrator. He was a member of the Canberra Raiders 1994 Premiership winning team and after his playing days became a local MP in the ACT. Known for his league commentary on the ABC he has also recently taken over as CEO of the Parramatta NRL team. Paul is also noted for his charity work for Hope Rwanda, which included organising six NRL players to work at the Village of Hope in Rwanda in late 2008.

Phillip Cave AM
As a turnaround specialist, Phil Cave is an accomplished Director, Chairman, Board Member and Chief Executive Officer with a proven track record in major Corporate Turnaround projects. In a long career, he has raised in excess of $2,000 million for a number of major corporate acquisitions. He was formerly a Director of Macquarie Bank Limited and currently the Chairman of the Private Equity firm Anchorage Capital Partners, Chairman of Bisalloy Steel Group Limited and Northcott Society.

Prof. Alanna Nobbs
Professor Nobbs is one of Australia's foremost ancient historians. As Head of the Department of Ancient History and Co-Director of the Ancient History Documentary Research Centre at Macquarie University, she has a conducted research into the historical background of early documents, including extensive work on the background of the bible and early Christianity.

Prof. Chris Hayward
Chris Hayward is Conjoint Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of New South Wales and Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiologist at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney. Having trained at Concord Repatriation and St Vincent's Hospitals, he completed post doctoral research at Royal Brompton Hospital in London, before returning to St Vincent's to joint the Heart Failure and Transplant Unit. His particular research interests include mechanical hearts and advanced heart failure management.

Prof. Graeme Clark AC
Graeme Clark is responsible for the pioneering research and development of the Bionic Ear — a multiple-channel Cochlear Implant. His research has paved the way for many advances in the areas of physical and biological sciences for health care. Professor Clark is internationally recognized for his contribution to his field. In 2004, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (Australia's highest civil honor), made a Fellow of the Royal Society of London, and has won numerous awards.

Prof. Ian Harper
Ian Harper is one of Australia’s best known economists. As a member of the celebrated Wallis Inquiry, he was at the forefront of financial market reform in Australia. He is now a director of Access Economics following a 25-year academic career, including 16 years in various roles at Melbourne Business School. In recognition of his service to the University of Melbourne, Ian was elected Emeritus Professor on his departure. Ian has also served as Chairman of the Australian Fair Pay Commission.

RADM Davyd Thomas AO CSC RAN
Davyd is Deputy Chief of the Navy. In a long career at sea, he enjoyed sea command of HMAS DARWIN, for which he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in 1997, and HMAS NEWCASTLE for Operation SLIPPER in the Persian Gulf, for which he was awarded the Commendation for Distinguished Service on Australia Day, 2003. Davyd was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2002 and promoted to Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) earlier this year.

Roger Corbett AM
Roger started his career in retailing working on the dock of a Grace Brothers store. Thirty-five years later, he was named CEO of the Woolworths Group. Under his leadership, the company achieved remarkable growth and success and Roger was named International Retailer of the Year in 2006. Although retired as CEO, Roger is still active as a Director of many institutions, including the Reserve Bank, Wal-Mart and Fairfax Media to name a few.

Sharon Williams
Sharon established Taurus Marketing — one of Australia's fastest growing, privately owned integrated marketing, creative and public relations agencies - in 1995 after a successful career in marketing and management, working in England, Europe and Asia. Sharon sits on the NSW Counsel of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce Women in Management Board. Her love of the beach and swimming gained her an Australian Surf Life Saving Association bronze medallion in 2005.

Simon Pillar
Simon is a founder and managing director of Pacific Equity Partners. Prior to founding PEP, Simon was a Vice President of Bain & Company. He has ten years of consulting experience in the US, Asia, and Australasia. Simon has been active in Australia and Asia since 1990 and was company head of Bain & Company's Singapore operation between 1995 and 1997. Simon received a BSc(Eng) in Civil Engineering, University of Bristol, where he received the Institution of Civil Engineers Award and an MBA from Wharton School.

Steve Mortimer OAM
One of the true heroes during the supreme reign of the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs throughout the 1980's, Steve's playing career included 270 1st grade games for the Bulldogs, 9 Tests for Australia, 16 games for NSW, 6 NRL Grand Finals of which there were 4 Premiership victories (2 as Captain) and of course his leadership of the NSW Blues to its first State of Origin Series win in 1985. After retiring from playing Rugby League, Steve continued to contribute to the game through commentary as a panellist for a range of media outlets.

The Hon John Anderson
John Anderson served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Leader of the National Party of Australia from July 1999 to July 2005. He was born in Sydney and raised in Northern New South Wales where his family was sheep ranchers. He entered Parliament in 1989 as Nationals MP for his local area and within ten years became leader of the party and deputy Prime Minister, a post he held until his retirement in 2005. His dedication to public service and his personal spiritual journey is summed in the title to a recently released biography - "Faith and Duty".

The Hon Peter Costello MP
Peter Costello is the longest serving Treasurer in Australia's history. During his time in office, he brought down twelve consecutive Federal Budgets, including ten surpluses. First elected a Member of the House of Representatives for the seat of Higgins in 1990, he has been a Member of seven Australian Parliaments. In 1994, he was elected Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia & served in that post until the end of 2007.

Tim Mander
Tim has a long association with rugby league, spending 14 years as an NRL Referee - including two Grand Finals in 2004 and 2005. He was named International Referee of the Year in 2005 and continues his work with the NRL as a video referee. Four years ago, in 2005, Tim was named Queensland Father of the Year. As the CEO of Scripture Union in Queensland, Tim oversees a large volunteer organisation as well as 500 chaplains in over 600 state schools.

Toby Hall
Toby Hall is Chief Executive Officer, Mission Australia, the largest national not-for-profit in Australia's community welfare sector. By the time Toby was 21, he was earning more than his parents' combined income. As an accountant with top-tier investment bank, Salomon Brothers in London, Hall lived the high life for almost a decade during most of the "greed-is-good" 1980s. Through that experience he has discovered real wealth comes from helping others. Prior to joining Mission Australia, Toby was Chief Operating Officer of World Vision Australia.