The Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust is a statutory body established by the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980. The Act was amended in 1983 to increase the number of Trustees from five to seven, and in 1985 to vest additional land in the Trust. The legislation defines the powers, authorities, duties and functions of the Trust and vests certain land and property in the Trust. It also governs the Regulations relating to all three Gardens and the Domain.
Trust objectives
- To maintain and improve Trust lands, the National Herbarium of New South Wales and the collections of living and preserved plant life owned by the Trust
- To increase and disseminate knowledge about the plant life of Australia, and of New South Wales in particular
- To encourage the public use and enjoyment of Trust lands by promoting and increasing the educational, historical, cultural and recreational value of these lands.
Chairperson
Philip Marcus Clark AO
- Appointed: 31 July 2018
- Position Expiry: 10 July 2021
Philip is a member of the J P Morgan Advisory Council. He was Managing Partner and CEO of Minter Ellison and worked with that firm from 1995 until June 2005. Prior to joining Minter Ellison, Philip was Director and Head of Corporate with ABN Amro Australia and prior to that he was Managing Partner of Mallesons Stephen Jaques for 16 years. Philip now serves on a number of boards and advisory boards. His current roles include chairing SCA Property Group (SCP) and NSW Skills Board. Philip has been active in the innovation and research sectors and recently retired as Chair of the CRC Advisory Committee. Philip has also worked with various organisations in the not-for-profit sector. He was appointed as a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 2007 for his contribution to the development of national law firms and encouraging corporate involvement in community programs
Other Trustees
Professor Michelle Leishman
- Appointed: 21 December 2016
- Position Expiry: 31 June 2021
Michelle is an internationally recognised scientist with research interests in plant ecology, plant conservation biology, climate change adaptation and urban greening. She was previously the Chair of the NSW Scientific Committee and currently serves as a Councillor of the Australian Flora Foundation, Director of Bush Heritage and Deputy Director of the Biodiversity Node of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Adaptation Hub. She is Head of the Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University and Co-Leader of Macquarie University's Centre for Smart Green Cities.
Penelope Diamantakiou
- Appointed: 30 August 2018
- Position Expiry: 4 September 2021
Penelope has extensive experience in digital media, financial management and leadership. She was previously the COO and CFO at Yahoo!7 and was awarded the Telstra Women’s Business Award NSW in 2015.
Tony Pearson
- Appointed: 30 August 2018
- Position Expiry: 4 September 2021
Tony is currently a Commissioner at the Independent Planning Commission and a Non-Executive Director of ASX listed Cellnet, and Peak Resources. Tony has over 15 years’ commercial and investment banking experience, covering the Asia Pacific natural resources and infrastructure sectors, most recently as a Managing Director at HSBC. Tony is also a White Ribbon Ambassador and a Women in Mining network (WIMnet) mentor.
Giselle Collins
- Appointed: 1 January 2019
- Position Expiry: 31 December 2021
Giselle Collins is a company director with significant experience in property, tourism and financial services. Giselle is past Chairman of Aon Superannuation, the Travelodge Hotel Group and the Heart Research Institute. Giselle sits on the boards of listed and non-listed companies including Hotel Property Investments Limited, Generation Life, and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
Debra Townsend
- Appointed: 28 November 2018
- Position Expiry: 27 November 2021
Debra is a Partner and National Head of Environment and Planning Practice Team at King and Wood Mallesons. She is an experienced lawyer and has been a partner at the firm for over 20 years.
Mark Fleming
- Appointed: 31 October 2018
- Position Expiry: 30 October 2021
Mark is CFO and Executive Director with SCA Property Group and previously held senior financial positions with Treasury Wine Estates and Woolworths.