Our Panel of Advisors

Frank Urbancic - Patron

US Consul General

Frank Urbancic moved to Melbourne in September 2011. Frank has served in a number of posts throughout the world, including US Embassies and Consulates in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Freetown (Sierra Leone), and Doha (Qatar). In addition, he has served in Consular and Political Affairs sections in Quebec City (Canada), Amman (Jordan), Tunis (Tunisia), and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).

Graeme Trippett

Director, Pepper Dog Productions

With more than 28 years experience in the television industry, Graeme has a range of management and production skills. He has been the Director of Production at GTV9 in Melbourne, and currently produces the hit show "Dancing with the Stars" for Channel 7. Graeme was appointed in 2002 by the Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport to the Interim Council of Screen-Sound Australia for three years.

James Barton Ashcroft

Barton Management; Managing Director & Executive Producer

James is a long time supporter of the AWA Independence Ball, providing expert event management and production support that bring together the many parts of the AWA Independence Day Ball, and make it the spectacular night that it is.

For over 20 years, James has been in the special events, exhibition and entertainment industry. Prior to starting Barton Management, James was a founding member of the popular Australian band, 1927 - known for hits such as 'That's When I Think of You', 'If I Could' and 'Compulsory Hero'. Though he pretty much lives on a plane, he's always ready to assist the AWA adding magic dust and sparkles wherever he goes.

Robert Carroll

Partner, Ernst & Young

Robert received his Accountancy degree from the University of Illinois and his Masters degree in Tax from DePaul University. Robert, who has had an association with the AWA for some years, is a qualified accountant with over 30 years experience, specialising in expatriate taxation, employee share plan design, and cross-border tax planning.

Scott Dawes

Vice President Applications, Oracle Corporation Australia Pty. Ltd.
Scott completed his MBA at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee - School of Business Administration. Scott has worked for Oracle, the world's largest enterprise software company, for the past 12 years. For nearly 3 decades, Oracle, the world's largest enterprise software company, has provided the software and services that let organizations get the most up to date and accurate information from their business systems.

Dr Catherine Lees

Business Director, Children's Bioethics Centre, The Royal Children's Hospital

Cath has come from a research background, having completed a PhD in cancer immunology. She has worked for The Cancer Council Victoria and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners before joining the team at The Royal Children's Hospital in 2004. Since this time she helped establish the hospital's first Clinical Ethics Committee and Australia's first paediatric bioethics centre - to support clinicians, families and patients making difficult medical decisions. Cath has considerable experience in events, resource development, strategic planning, marketing and fundraising.

Nick LeSouef

Owner, Lightning Ridge Opal Mines

After a brief teaching career, Nick decided to follow his true passion, opals. He became a full-time opal miner and cutter. Nick currently spends his time between the opal fields and his Melbourne store. The LeSouef family have been AWA supporters for many years.

Carole Lowen

President of the Auxiliaries, The Royal Children's Hospital

Carole is actively involved with a family company and the activities of her daughters. Carole's extensive community service includes her current position as President of theAuxiliaries at RCH, as well as her past involvement as an executive member of the Lady Mayoress' Committee for the Lord Mayor's Fund, Senior Parent Co-ordinator of Melbourne Girls' Grammar, and member of the Lady Gowrie Child Centre Research Study Committee.

Barry Novy

Chairman of the Development Board of the RCH Children's Bioethics Centre and Managing Director of Kliger Wood Real Estate.

Barry　formerly lectured at the University of Illinois (Champaign) and Monash University. He was named Victorian Father of the Year (2002/3), and was just this January awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia, the pre-eminent way Australians recognise the achievements and service of their fellow citizens. Barry　has given the AWA enormous hands on support　in all its endeavours for over ten years.

Jim Petersen

Manager - International Development, Grace International

Jim has been involved with the AWA for over 23 years after being introduced to the organisation in 1988 when he helped move the CEO of Mobil and his wife, the then President of the AWA.

Jim, together with the company he works for, Grace, helped the AWA establish our charity golf fundraiser in 1995. Jim has served on every Golf Committee over those years and helped to raise over $450,000 for the AWA through these events. Jim looks forward to continuing this tradition.