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Zoos Victoria Foundation Board

The Zoos Victoria Foundation Board comprises a select group of Melbourne's influential community and business leaders.

In line with the vision of Zoos Victoria, members of the Zoos Victoria Foundation Board play an ambassadorial role in the development of fundraising and partnership opportunities with individual donors and the corporate and philanthropic sectors.

  • Sid Myer AM 
    Chair – Zoos Victoria Foundation Board

    Sid Myer is the Chief Executive Officer of Yulgilbar Group of Companies with responsibility for investment portfolios, agricultural, property and business interests within the Group.  

    In addition to being the Chairman of Zoos Victoria Foundation, he is a Trustee of the Sidney Myer Fund, Chairman of the Beyond Australia Task Force, Chairman of Asialink, Director of The Myer Family Company Holdings and a Director of OC Funds Management.

    Sid Myer is married to Fiona and has three children.  He is a keen skier, horseman, and golfer and participates in a number of other sports. 

  • Ms Natasha Bowness
    Deputy Chair – Zoos Victoria Foundation Board 
    Director Wilbow Group Pty Ltd

    Natasha is a Director of Wilbow Group Pty Ltd, a private family investment group whose focuses include private equity, listed equities, property development funding and property development activities (USA). 

    In addition to her Wilbow role Natasha manages a number of other investment entities and chairs the Bowness Family Foundation. Natasha has Bachelor of Economics, is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

  • Associate Professor Andrew Lancelot Vizard
    Member – Zoos Victoria Foundation Board 
    Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology at the University of Melbourne
    Director of Animal Health Australia
    Chairman of The Vizard Foundation

    Andrew is a Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology at the University of Melbourne and an experienced company director.  From 1999 to 2009 he served on the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board and became a Foundation Board member in 2007. 

  • Mr Ian Hicks AM
    Member – Zoos Victoria Foundation Board
    Executive Chairman, Applied International Pty Ltd
    Chairman, Deutscher & Hackett

    Ian W Hicks is Executive Chairman of Applied International Pty Ltd, a private investment group located in Melbourne specialising in passive and active investments. Through the George Hicks Foundation he is also involved in a number of philanthropic projects including the preservation of the Spotted Tree Frog of Healesville Sanctuary.

    Ian was a member of the YPO, WPO, MS Society Victoria and was made a member of the Order of Australia for his work with the MS organisation. He is currently Chairman of Deutscher and Hackett, Board Member of McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park, and Deputy Chairman on the National Gallery of Victoria Foundation.

  • Mr Alex Waislitz
    Director – Zoological Parks & Gardens Board
    Member – Zoos Victoria Foundation Board
    Alex Waislitz is Executive Chairman and Founder of Thorney Investment Group, a Melbourne-based diversified investor in public securities, private companies and property.

    Currently, Alex is also director of various Pratt Group companies, the Vice President of Collingwood Football Club and was appointed Zoos Victoria Board in 2011. Alex has extensive business and capital markets experience and has been a member of several public company boards of directors. Alex is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School OPM Program.

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    Andrew Abercrombie 
    Member – Zoos Victoria Foundation Board

    Andrew Abercrombie is Chairman of The Abercrombie Group, a diversified investment company with real estate investment and development interests. Andrew founded the Flexirent business and after listing on the ASX remains on the board of FlexiGroup Ltd (FXL), currently a top 200 company.  

    Formerly a commercial lawyer, Andrew completed his MBA in Switzerland and is now engaged in a broad range of interests. As Regional Chairman of World Presidents’ Organisation, he participates in international management and education programs in various roles. Formerly a member of one of Victoria’s Alpine Resort Management Boards, he is also a Director of the Menzies Research Centre, the Flory Neurosciences Institute, the Abercrombie Foundation and is Treasurer of the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party.

    Andrew is married with two sons and has many interests including music, tennis, water sports and he is a qualified ski instructor.    

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    Mr James Chen BSc 
    Member – Zoos Victoria Foundation Board

    James has been heavily involved in the ports and logistics business between Australia and Asia for the past 2 decades and previously started and managed his own successful business, Australian Maritime Services (AMS). AMS was involved in harbour towage and salvage operations along Australia’s East Coast.

    James now focuses on facilitating trade and investment between Australia and China through his flagship business, JPC International, and is currently working on a number of projects involving agriculture and telecommunications amongst other industries.

    James also provides strong support for the advancement of multiculturalism through his role as Senior Advisor for the Confucius Institute at the University of Melbourne.

  • Andrew Fairley
    Member – Zoos Victoria Foundation Board

    Andrew was appointed Chair of the Zoos Victoria Board in April 2007. He has more than two decades experience in the sustainable tourism sector and is an equity lawyer with DLA Piper with more than 30 years experience in the specialist field of superannuation and trusts. He is Chair of Equipsuper Superannuation Fund, and a member of the Deakin Investment Advisory Committee. He is also a Director of a number of private client family enterprises and holds Chair positions with the Sir Andrew Fairley Foundation and Parks Victoria.

  • Jon Hickman 
    Member – Zoos Victoria Foundation Board

    Jon is Deputy Chair of the Zoos Victoria Board and Chair of the Victorian Coastal Council and an Alternate Member of the Heritage Council of Victoria. His professional roles have included Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University, Deputy Secretary responsible for planning, heritage and local government at the former Department of Infrastructure, National Director at the Australian Crime Commission, Deputy Secretary at the Tasmanian Treasury and Chief Executive Officer of the City of Port Phillip. He has worked in school education, property and marketing and communications.

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    Andrew Bell 
    Member – Zoos Victoria Foundation Board