“It is a privilege to chair the Powerhouse Campaign Committee. I am a passionate supporter of investment and development in Greater Western Sydney. The thriving City of Parramatta is the ideal location for this wonderful and exciting new museum.”
– Anthony ‘Tony’ Shepherd AO.
Fundraising for the Powerhouse Campaign is led by a dedicated committee.
Anthony ‘Tony’ Shepherd AO
Chairman
Tony Shepherd is one of Australia’s most respected company directors with extensive experience across the public and private sectors globally.
He pioneered private infrastructure with projects such as the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Melbourne City Link and East Link.
Mr. Shepherd is currently the independent chair of Macquarie Specialised Asset Management Ltd, Venues NSW, GWS Giants, Infrastructure SA, Sydney Cricket Ground Trust, and Capgemini Advisory Australia and New Zealand. He also serves as a Director of Racing NSW, Enviropacific, and Snowy Hydro Ltd.
He is a former Business Council of Australia President, and was previously chair of WestConnex, Transurban Group, Transfield Services, Connect East, the National Commission of Audit, and The Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association. His past directorships include Virgin Australia, among many others.
A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Patron of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, he was named an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2012.
David Borger OAM
David Borger has been the Executive Director of Business Western Sydney since the business chamber was formed in 2012. He coordinates members and stakeholders to create communities of shared interest, to explore opportunities for innovation and investment, to champion the future vision for Western Sydney’s public & private infrastructure.
The group was instrumental in the successful campaign for Western Sydney Airport. Mr. Borger also regularly collaborates with government and industry in support of other transformational projects such as Powerhouse Parramatta, the Westmead and Liverpool Innovation Districts, Sydney Olympic Park, Parramatta Light Rail, West Metro and North-South Metro.
He previously served in the NSW Labor Government as the Minister for Roads, Minister assisting the Minister for Transport and Roads, Minister for Housing, as well as Minister for Western Sydney.
Mr. Borger is a founding Director and part owner of development consultancy Think Planners; and serves as a Non-Executive Director on the boards of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Evolve Housing, The NRMA, and as Interim Chair of the Placemaking NSW Advisory Committee.
Professor Barney Glover AO
Professor Glover is a distinguished academic leader who has led Western Sydney University as Vice-Chancellor and President since 2014. He was formerly the President of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Applied Arts and Science from 2016 to 2020.
Previously Vice-Chancellor at Charles Darwin University (CDU) from 2009 to 2013, he has a long record of success in university management and leadership ― particularly in research, intellectual property management and major capital development projects. His outstanding leadership whilst Vice-Chancellor at CDU was recognised in him being awarded the title of Emeritus Professor in 2015.
Professor Glover has also served on the boards of a range of corporate and government organisations across the health, medical research, energy, mining and telecommunications sectors. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics.
In January 2019, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to tertiary education, to professional associations, and to cultural organisations.
Dr G.K ‘Hari’ Harinath OAM
Dr Harinath has been a general practitioner for more than 40 years and has served as a senior cricket administrator for more than 30 years. He is currently Managing Partner at the Eastgardens Medical Centre and is Chair of Parramasala, a member of the Australia Day Council and an advisory board member at Newland Global Group.
He has previously served on the boards of Cricket NSW, Cricket Australia, South East Area Health Board and ANZAC Centenary Advisory Council, and is a former Chair of Multicultural NSW and Cricket NSW. He is also a former president of Sydney Cricket Club.
In 2009 Dr Harinath was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the sport of cricket through executive roles at state and national level, and to the community. He was also awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (Medal) by the President of India in 2017, the highest honour conferred to Indians living overseas.
Sunil Lal
Sunil Lal is a respected lawyer, business leader, non-executive director and philanthropic adviser. In January 2022, he was appointed Chair of corporate advisory firm Barker Henley Global where he was previously a Managing Partner and founder of Barker Henley Lawyers.
Mr Lal is also a Vice President of the Australia-India Chamber of Commerce NSW Chapter and board member of the Chamber of Australia-India Trade and Investment — roles in which he is instrumental in developing and promoting business between Australia and India.
He has over two decades of experience advising on joint ventures across a diverse range of sectors in India and other regional markets. Mr Lal is recognised internationally for his regional expertise and was invited to give evidence before the Australian Federal Parliamentary Committee on bilateral trade between Australia and India.
His philanthropic activities in Australia and the region include working with organisations such as Lymphoma Australia, Diabetes NSW, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Childrens’ Hospital, ASHA Foundation (India) and various learning institutions throughout South-East Asia.
Suzie Laundy
Suzie Laundy works in Western Sydney as part of the Laundy Hotel Group and has strong and broad connections to the local communities.
In addition to her successful career working in hospitality, sponsorship and events marketing management, Ms. Laundy is passionate about working with children and has extensive experience in community organisations that focus on enhancing the lives of young people. This includes involvement with the Ngurra Jirrama Foundation ― that enables indigenous students from remote communities in the NT to complete secondary education in NSW ― and ASK Council of Australia ― that supports underprivileged children with severe medical conditions in Manila, the Philippines.
She is a member of the Trustee Board of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.
The Hon. Craig Laundy
The former Australian Liberal Party politician was elected to the Federal parliament in 2013 after winning the long held marginal ALP seat of Reid in Sydney’s inner west, he then increased his margin at the 2016.
In his first term as part of the Abbott government, Mr. Laundy was Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Chair of the House Economics Committee and a member of the select committee for Public Accounts and Audit.
During his second term in government under Prime Minister Turnbull, he was Minister for Small and Family Business, Industrial Relations & Deregulation and Assistant Minister for Industry Innovation and Science.
After retiring from politics in 2019 he re-joined his family business ― Laundy Hotel Group ― where he was previously active in overseeing the growth of the pubs business from 1992–2012. During his time at Laundy Hotel Group, Craig has held numerous positions including General Manager of Operations.
Mr. Laundy is also Co-Chairman of government relations consultancy Cornerstone Group Australia.
Joseph Rizk AM
Joseph Rizk is the CEO and Managing Director of Arab Bank Australia, a role he has held since 2010, prior to which he was Chief Banking Officer.
With over 47 years of corporate, commercial and international banking and finance experience — including a long and distinguished career at National Australia Bank — he has a demonstrated ability to generate positive results in the face of tough market conditions and in an increasingly competitive business environment.
Mr. Rizk is currently Chair of the Italian Opera Foundation Association and serves on the boards of the Australian Lebanese Chamber of Commerce, Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Melkite Catholic Eparchy Corporation, and Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research.
He is a member of The Australian Institute of Company Directors and a fellow of The Australian Institute of Management.
In 2022, Mr. Rizk was awarded Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the not-for-profit sector, and to banking and commerce. Mr. Rizk was also awarded the Order of Australia in 2015 in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the banking sector and community.
Professor Talal Yassine OAM
Professor Yassine is an experienced business leader, entrepreneur, lawyer and academic with strong links to Greater Western Sydney.
The Managing Director of Crescent Wealth, Australia’s only Islamic superannuation fund, since 2009, he is also Chair of First Quay Capital and LandCorp Australia as well as a Non-Executive director of Media Diversity Australia and member of the Western Sydney University Foundation Council Board.
Professor Yassine is also a Vice Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow within the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University and Adjunct Professor within the School of Business, Western Sydney University.
He previously served on the boards of Australia Post, Sydney Ports, Macquarie University, Western Sydney Area Health Service and is a former chair of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Council of Australia Arab Relations.
In 2010, Professor Yassine was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to business and the community through a range of education, health and multicultural organisations.
