I’m so pleased to join the Dunstan Foundation as it celebrates 25 years of work to make South Australia and the nation a fairer, better place.
I come to this role after a long career in journalism, communications and public service, most recently as editorial director at Solstice Media – the Adelaide publisher of InDaily. I interviewed Don Dunstan as a political reporter, but his impact on me was more as a young South Australian growing up in the ’80s. He was gone from the halls of Parliament, but the culture he left behind was changed forever: from the much celebrated moves in the arts, to the quality of our democracy and streetscapes, to a transformed legal framework that led the way on equality and respect for all people, to name just a few arenas of his profound influence.
His legacy is so broad and so deep that an organisation founded to continue his work has a daunting task. But just as Don’s work was supported and brought to life by countless people, so too is the work of this Foundation. Since being appointed, I have been overwhelmed by the goodwill of so many people and organisations in South Australia towards the Foundation. It has always done its best work in partnerships and this will continue.
Over the coming months, we will be shaping our agenda for the coming years, focused on some of the biggest challenges to justice and equity facing our community – and there are plenty. We’ll also be continuing the established good work of the Foundation, building on what has come before.
I’m looking forward to working with you all to continue the Foundation’s important mission. The link below has my direct email – please feel free to contact me.
