Founder & Trustees

FOUNDER

NEIL BALNAVES AO

Neil, aged 66, has worked in the entertainment and media industries for over 45 years previously holding the position of Executive Chairman of the Southern Star Group which he founded.  Neil is a Trustee Member of Bond University and in 2009 received an Honorary Doctorate of the University.  Neil is the Chairman of Ardent Leisure Group, one of Australia's most successful owners and operators of premium leisure assets.  He is a member of the Advisory Council of the University of New South Wales Faculty of Medicine and a Director of Technicolor Australia Limited.  Neil serves on the boards of numerous advisory and community organisations and is a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  In 2006 Neil established The Balnaves Foundation, a philanthropic fund that disperses more than $2 million annually in supporting eligible organisations that aim to create a better Australia through education, medicine, and the arts with a focus on young people, the disadvantaged and Indigenous communities. 

In 2010 Neil was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his services to business and philanthropy.

Please click here to download Neil's interview on ABC's Talking Heads Program

For Neil Balnaves full Biography, please click here

TRUSTEES

DIANE BALNAVES
Diane, aged 67, completed her secondary education at Seymour College in Adelaide followed by a period as a social worker. Diane then became a book seller in 1970 and since 1971 has been married to Neil Balnaves, the Founder of The Balnaves Foundation. 

ALEXANDRA HONOR BA Dip Ed - Australian History
Alexandra, aged 36, is the eldest daughter of Neil and Diane Balnaves. Alex is a secondary school teacher of History and Geography. She lives on the Mid-North Coast with her young family. She has worked with people with a disability as an educator and advocate; and has produced one oral history short film and a number of radio documentaries. She currently works as a Learning Support Teacher with secondary students. Her interests include youth, mental health, Indigenous Australia and the environment.

HAMISH BALNAVES BEcSocSc DipEd
Hamish, aged 34, graduated from Sydney University with a degree in Economics (Social Science). He then worked as a teacher for ten years in Sydney and overseas. He completed a Diploma in Education at UNSW in 2006. In early 2009 he decided to resign from his teaching position and began work as General Manager of the Balnaves Foundation.  

VICTORIA BALNAVES BA Hist & Perf, Dip FB
Victoria, aged 31, is the youngest daughter of Neil & Diane Balnaves. Victoria has worked in PR & Events for over six years for various companies and has now started her own freelance consultancy. During this period she has worked across a broad range of clients including fashion, venues, lifestyle, luxury, alcohol, consumer, health, charity and corporate.  Victoria has a BA (Double Major, History & Performance) a Diploma in Fashion Business at FBI Fashion College and a Certificate in Image Consultant with Istituto Marangoni ( Milan).

DR. PHILIP NEWELL ARBER MB BS (Syd)
Philip, aged 64, has been a General Practitioner in Mosman for over 35 years. He is the Chairman of the Mosman and Lower North Shore General Practice Group, a Director of Mosman Rowers Ltd and a Member of the Medical Advisory Committee of the James Milson Retirement Village & Nursing Home.

DR BRAD MCINTOSH BSc (ExSci), MPT (Physio), DPT (Physio), CSCS
Brad, aged 33 completed his Bachelor of Science at Brigham Young Universty and Master of Physical Therapy at the University of Utah, whilst playing and coaching tennis.  Brad recently completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy (University of Saint Augustine, USA) and is a Member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and Sports Medicine Australia.  Since returning to Australia in 2002, Brad has developed his practice and now runs one of the largest private physiotherapy clinics in Sydney, Sydney Sports & Orthopaedic Physiotherapy on Macquarie Street.  He has recently opened an exciting new pilates studio in the same building, named Pilates on Macquarie.