Board Members
| ROLE OF ADVERTISING STANDARDS BOARD MEMBERS The centre-piece of the self-regulation system is the dedication, composition and independence of the Advertising Standards Board. The Board is made up of people from different walks of life with a diverse cross-section of views and skills. The Board also represents a broad range of age groups and is gender-balanced. Individual Board members do not represent any particular interest group and are individually and collectively clearly independent of the industry. On the rare occasion an individual member has a connection with a party concerned in a particular determination, that Board member absents herself or himself from the meeting. The public-mindedness, dedication and independence of the Advertising Standards Board continues to earn it the admiration and respect of both the Australian community and the industry. The Board discharges its responsibilities with fairness, impartiality and with a keen sense of prevailing community values in its broadest sense. Its task is often a difficult one and the outcomes of its determinations will not and cannot please everyone. MEMBERS OF THE ADVERTISING STANDARDS BOARD Board appointments are made following a publicly advertised application and interview process. Appointments are made by the Directors of the corporate governance Board of the Advertising Standards Bureau. Vacancies on the Board are advertised from time to time. The Advertising Standards Bureau's most recent appointment of new members to the Board was in 2008. The eight new members attended their first official Board meeting in September 2008. The incoming members were selected from a public application process and will take up their positions in August. See the new Board Member Profiles. People sought for appointment to the Board ideally have an interest in, and views on, advertising and community standards. The Bureau aims to ensure that the Board is a broad representation of the age, gender, cultural and geographic make-up of the Australian community. BOARD MEMBER PROFILES TANVEER AHMED Appointed August 2006
He has been chosen by a Prime Minister's Committee as one of 100 future leaders of Australia under the age of 40. Tanveer is also a UN ambassador representing men against domestic violence. Tanveer has previously been a board member for the Australian Medical Association, where he was the national representative for training doctors. Adding to his list of pursuits, Tanveer has also performed comedy as well as playing the role of the Bingo Commissioner on the Channel 7 gameshow National Bingo Night. THE HON JOHN BROWN AO Appointed May 1998
John has been awarded the Olympic Silver Order of Merit and Australian Institute of Marketing Gold Medal. He was elected a Life Member of the Australian Institute of Sport and is a member of the President's Council of the Surf Lifesaving Association. He is also the Emeritus Chairman of Spinesafe and the Transport and Tourism Forum. Born and bred in Concord in Sydney, John has five adult children and 11 grandchildren.  Sibylla Budd is one of the young and emerging stars of the acting profession in Australia. She grew up in Canberra and moved to Melbourne to study at the Victorian College of the Arts, where she graduated with a degree in Dramatic Art. Since then, Sibylla has shot to prominence with her role in the Australian drama, The Secret Life of Us, although her acting experience extends far beyond the popular series. Her other television work has included roles in The Farm, All Saints, Something In The Air, and Kath and Kim. Most recently, Sybilla starred in the popular television series Sea Patrol and Canal Road. Sibylla's film credits include September, The Bank, Anna Kokkinos' The Book of Revelation and The Bet. Sybilla has also been involved in numerous theatre projects. Sibylla describes one of her most rewarding projects as a documentary she filmed with children from remote villages of Tanzania for World Vision Australia. JOANNA COHEN Inaugural Member appointed 1997
For many years Joanna worked in marketing and communication at the University of Sydney and, reflecting her diverse talents, has also managed a Sydney rock band, run a small film festival and worked as a freelance writer. Joanna has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Master of Arts in English Literature. Joanna has lived most of her life in the inner western suburbs of Sydney but spent some of her childhood in the central west of New South Wales, and has also lived and worked in London. BARBARA DAVID Appointed August 2008
Barbara has retired from lecturing and is currently reliving the student experience, undertaking a TAFE Diploma in Visual Arts. She was awarded Arts and Media Student of the Year in 2007. Barbara's passion for informed investigation of social issues continues in her ongoing supervision of PhD students. Their research covers topics such as the role of modeling (imitation) in children's gendered behaviour, and the part played by perceptions of capability in the perpetuation of inequality in the workplace. KHOA DO Appointed August 2006
Khoa's most recent works include Footy Legends in 2006, starring Anh Do, Angus Sampson and Claudia Karvan). His first feature film, The Finished People, was a gritty and realistic story about at-risk adolescents on the edge of survival. The film won international acclaim and was nominated for an Australian Film Industry Award for Best Direction, and Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards for Best Film and Best Director. It won the Independent Film Independent Spirit Award in 2003. Khoa has also worked as a volunteer with Open Family Australia at Cabramatta in Sydney, assisting at-risk youths. He was awarded Bankstown City's Young Citizen of the Year Award in 2002. Khoa was named Young Australian of the Year in 2005. He is currently working on a theatre show called Mother Fish and a film called Four Corners which is set inside Australia's prison system. ANN DRUMMOND Appointed August 2006
Ann has a degree in both theology and early childhood education. She is a retired Uniting Church minister but continues her involvement as a seminar leader, conducting 'Code of Ethics and Prevention of Sexual Misconduct' workshops for clergy of the Uniting Church's Synod of Victoria and Tasmania. Ann has extensive experience in the fields of child education and children's services. She has managed government programs which delivered services to the community for maternal and child health, child care, youth development, and aged and community care. Ann is an active member in many groups including YWCA Victoria, Victorian Women's Trust and Friends of the St Kilda Botanical Gardens. RACHEL GRANT Appointed August 2008
Since graduating with a major in public relations in 1990, she has worked for a range of organisations including electricity distributor SEQEB/ENERGEX, financial advisory firm BDO Kendalls, State Government-owned ICT entity CITEC, and the Keep Australia Beautiful Council (Qld) Inc. In this last role Rachel was responsible for promoting the Tidy Towns program, Clean Beach Challenge and Green & Healthy Schools. Her most recent role has been Communications Manager for the Peaks to Points Festival, a major environmental festival held on Brisbane's south side in July 2008. As a mother of two young children Rachel has a keen interest in her local area and is committed to working to improve facilities and create a sense of community for her children. Rachel has held a range of voluntary positions with her son's child care centre and kindergarten. In 2007, on behalf of her son's kindergarten, she initiated and co-ordinated the presentation of Childsafe, a seminar about child safety involving the highly respected Criminologist, Dale Jackson. Rachel lives in Ipswich with her husband and two young sons and is an avid reader when time permits. THOMAS KENEALLY AO Inaugural Member appointed 1997
He was the inaugural chairman of the Australian Republican Movement and is now a director of the organisation. Tom spent his early years in country towns in northern New South Wales before moving to Sydney. He is married with two children and several grandchildren, and is widely-known as an obsessive rugby league fan. SOPHIE KILLEN Appointed August 2006
Previously Sophie worked as a research fellow at the Centre for Media and Communications Law at the University of Melbourne where she researched a paper on the control of cross-border tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship in a joint project with the VicHealth Centre for Tobacco Control. She has also worked as a judical associate in the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia and as a casual academic in law and media studies at four universities. For many years Sophie has been a singer in choirs including The Australian Voices, Canticum, The Melbourne Chorale and most recently, the Sydney Philharmonia choirs. In this capacity, Sophie has participated in a number of festivals, concerts and educational workshops with children living in metropolitan and regional Australia. Born in Canberra, Sophie was raised in Brisbane, recently enjoyed three years in Melbourne and now lives in Sydney. JOHN LEE Appointed August 2006
John's previous roles include CEO of the NSW State Transit Authority, Director-General of Transport in NSW and Head of Communications and Marketing at CityRail. He was a key member of the team that successfully delivered transport for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. John has spent most of his life based in western Sydney where he has been involved in numerous community and charity projects. He is a current member of the Mary MacKillop Foundation and Parramatta Stadium Trust. John is married with a young family including two daughters and a son. JANEMAREE MAHER Appointed August 2008
JaneMaree's research focuses on birthing, pregnancy, women, family life and work. She is currently involved in research focused on how families manage working and caring. JaneMaree teaches media and popular culture studies, focusing on gender and power. JaneMaree has experience as a board member in girls' education and recently participated in the Victorian Government Centenary of Suffrage Reference Group, celebrating women's right to vote. She has three teenage daughters who share her passion for the Essendon Football Club. PAUL McCARTHY Appointed August 2006
A career public servant, Paul has worked in human services policy development, arts policy, censorship policy and media regulation, and privacy and complaints handling. His work for Commonwealth, State and local governments has included consulting with industry and the community on a range of projects. While at the Office of Film and Literature he advised on the statutory framework for the application of community standards to films, computer games and publications. Paul's first professional job was as a therapist in a child guidance clinic and he has been a member of the Speech Pathologists Board of Queensland. Paul is a vegetarian with interests in spirituality, holistic health, fitness, individual rights and film. PAULA McNAMARA Appointed August 2008
Growing up with parents in the hospitality industry, she made her first coffee at 15 and has worked in a variety of restaurants and cafes in Melbourne, London and Sydney. Preferring to work in cafes Paula loves the sense of community and familiarity that builds up over time between the regular customers and staff. 'In a big city that can be quite anonymous, cafes can be a small haven.' Paula is also involved in her daughter's school community and sports club, which keeps her involved in the community as well as busy while she isn't studying. Paula is completing her Arts Degree at Sydney University, majoring in English Literature and has a strong interest in theatre, film and television. 'Time constraints have made television my main form of entertainment and I love documentaries, particularly stories about real people and the challenges life throws our way.' GARY RICE Appointed August 2008
Before taking on the role at Seven, he was Managing Director and CEO of the Australian Radio Network (formerly Wesgo Limited) and before that he was Managing Director and CEO of Network Ten. Gary was with the Nine Network for several years in both Sydney and Melbourne which culminated in him becoming Managing Director of the Network. He began his television career in Ballarat. In a move away from television Gary became involved in the hospitality industry. He has had continued success with accommodation complexes in Mooloolaba on Queensland's Sunshine Coast , where his family-owned company, Oceans Queensland Pty Ltd is based. Gary is also active in the tourism industry and is a judge for the Queensland Tourism Awards. Gary has completed the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School, is a Fellow of the Advertising Institute of Australia and an Associate of the Australian Marketing Institute. GRAHAM RIXON Appointed August 2008
Graham is a passionate educator and has worked on a number of state and national committees aiming to improve the quality of education in both government and non-government schools. He regularly presents workshops, seminars and papers about middle schooling, technology in education and strategic planning at state, national and international conferences. Graham grew up in Melbourne where, along with his career in education, he was active with Lifeline and his local Uniting Church. He moved to Perth in 1986 with his wife, Meredith and two children. Graham and Meredith share interests in travel, reading, cycling and kayaking. NATASHA STOTT DESPOJA Appointed August 2008
Natasha has made a significant contribution to a wide range of policy debates. She was a spokesperson on higher education, science and biotechnology, Attorney-General's, privacy, women, work and family among other issues. During her political career she also introduced Private Member's Bills on issues including paid maternity leave, the Republic, genetic privacy and non-discrimination, stem cells, and captioning. Natasha is an Honorary Visiting Research Fellow at The University of Adelaide and does a regular radio spot on ABC Radio Adelaide and a fortnightly column for The Advertiser. She was selected as a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum in 2001. Natasha lives in Adelaide with husband Ian and their two children. JOSEPHINE TIDDY Appointed August 2006
Prior to establishing JTCT, Dr Tiddy was Australia's longest-serving Commissioner for Equal Opportunity and Chief Executive of the Equal Opportunity Commission in South Australia for 16 years. She was awarded a honorary doctorate by Flinders University in recognition of her national contribution to the field of administrative law, specifically discrimination law and social policy, conciliation of complaints and legislative reform. Josephine has written widely on equality, fair treatment and discrimination. Her book, It's Just Not Fair, describes the personal stories of Australians who acted in conjunction with the law to confront and change the way society thinks, works and lives. Josephine, who was also a registered nurse at the Adelaide Children's Hospital, lives in Adelaide where she is heavily involved in community organisations as well as being a serving member of numerous boards and committees. Josephine enjoys life with her three married children and five grandchildren. She is also a keen participant in the arts, particularly theatre, as well as tennis and swimming. CRAIG WHITE Appointed August 2008
Craig has been awarded both the National Service Medal for 15 years Police Service and the Queensland Police Service Medal for good conduct. In the past 18 years Craig has served throughout Queensland including 10 years working in remote communities in Far Northern and Central Western Queensland. During that time Craig was involved in implementing a number of publicly funded projects aimed at reducing substance abuse and domestic violence. Craig is currently involved in a number of community organisations as well as being a serving member on numerous boards and committees. Craig holds a Masters Degree in Business, Graduate Diploma in Human Resources and a Diploma in Public Safety (Policing). Craig is married and has three children. He enjoys spending spare time with his family. HELEN WICKS Appointed 2006
Helen has been a member of the Australian Breastfeeding Association since 1998. In 2005, she qualified as a breastfeeding counsellor and now conducts information and discussion groups for new mothers as well as providing her expertise on the Helpline telephone advisory service. Helen has been a member of Playgroup NSW since 1999, and will soon complete her second and final term as President. She is the first country-based member to serve as President and since becoming a member Helen has occupied several committee positions. She was elected to the board of Playgroup NSW as the Country zone representative in 2003 and in 2006 was elected to the position of Vice-President. Helen also has an active role in the church and school communities in her hometown of Armidale, NSW. RETIRING BOARD MEMBERS 2008 |
Tanveer Ahmed is a psychiatry registrar and writer. He is a regular contributor to the country's major newspapers, writing on matters social and political. Tanveer transiently left medicine for a couple of years to pursue a career in journalism and worked as a television journalist for SBS in 2003.
Former Federal Tourism Minister John Brown was a member of the Commonwealth Parliament for 13 years. 
Joanna Cohen is the editor of film reviewing website, Rotten Tomatoes and the Marketing Manager for three Fox Interactive Media websites. 
Barbara David has broad experience with both young and mature-age Australians. Her career has included time spent as a high school music teacher as well as a lecturer and researcher in social and child psychology at the Australian National University. 
Khoa Do was born in Vietnam and came to Australia as a refugee when he was two years old. Khoa began working in the performing arts in the late 1990s, developing and producing a number of shows and films. He is now a film director in his own right, having achieved significant success in his short career. 
Ann Drummond was born in Scotland where she spent her early childhood years before her family migrated to Canada. Ann lived in Canada for 16 years before moving to Australia in 1975. She now lives in St Kilda in Melbourne. Ann has two grown step-children. 
Rachel Grant grew up in Ballina, northern New South Wales, before moving to Brisbane to complete a Bachelor of Business Communications at the Queensland University of Technology. 
Thomas Keneally is a best-selling, multi award-winning author, playwright, scriptwriter, English professor and holder of a number of honorary doctorates. Tom has written more than 20 novels including The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith and Schindler's Ark . 
Sophie is undertaking a Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne and works as a policy analyst/researcher at the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
John Lee has worked in senior roles in both the public and private sectors. He is currently the Director General of the NSW Department of Commerce which oversees various commercial activities of Government including fair trading and public works. 
JaneMaree Maher is Director of the Centre for Women's Studies and Gender Research, in the School of Political and Social Inquiry, at Monash University in Melbourne. She has degrees in Law and Arts (Hons) from the University of Melbourne (1991) and gained her PhD in 1999 from La Trobe University. 
Paul McCarthy grew up in Queensland before moving to Sydney to work for the Office of Film and Literature Classification in January 2003. 
Paula was born in country Victoria and has lived in Sydney's Eastern suburbs since 1993. 
Formerly Managing Director and CEO of Seven Network Limited, Gary Rice had a career of nearly 30 years in the television and radio industries. 
Graham Rixon is currently engaged in part-time educational consultancy work. He stepped down as Principal of Penrhos College, Perth, Western Australia at the end of 2007 - a position he held since September 1986. 
Natasha Stott Despoja is a former Senator for South Australia (1995-2008) and former Leader of the Australian Democrats. 
Josephine is the Managing Director and Principal Consultant of consultancy firm, JTCT, specialising in culture change, investigating and resolving complaints from consumers, and disputes in the workplace. 
Craig is a Police Officer and is currently in charge of the Gladstone Police Station in Queensland. 
Helen Wicks is a full-time mother of three children who has a long association with community organisations in professional and volunteer capacities.