Board Members
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The Hon Kate Lundy
Interim Chair
Kate Lundy served as Senator in the Australian Federal Parliament for nearly 20 years; she resigned in 2015. She continues to focus her energy on technology and innovation. In 2017, the Australian National University awarded her a Doctor of Letters (honorary doctorate) for her “exceptional contributions to advocacy and policy for information communications and technology, for the ACT and nationally.”
During her time in Parliament in both Government and Opposition, Kate held several front bench portfolios, including IT, Innovation, Digital Economy, Manufacturing, Sport and Multicultural Affairs.
Kate now holds a number of company directorships including the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre, the Canberra Institute of Technology, Electro Optic Systems, the National Roads and Motoring Association, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, the ACT Defence Industry Advisory Board and has been appointed to the Space Industry Leaders Forum of the Australian Space Agency. Kate also has her own consulting company, Technology Innovation Partners Pty Ltd. -
Dr Geoff Garrett AO
Deputy Chair
Dr Geoff Garrett, AO joined the NYSF Board in August 2017. A STEM enthusiast, Geoff is a Cambridge educated metallurgist, and 13 years an academic, Geoff was Queensland Chief Scientist for the previous six years. Prior to this he led, as Chief Executive, two of the world's major national science agencies, the CSIRO in Australia (2001 to 2008) and CSIR in South Africa (1995 to 2000). Geoff is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE), the Royal Society of South Africa and the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and served on the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council in Australia for eight years.
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Loren Atkins
Ordinary Director
Loren Atkins is an Alumna of the NYSF program, attending in 2005. She returned to the program through the Student Staff Leadership Program (SSLP) to work as student staff and then as the Chief of Staff. Loren completed a double degree at the University of Tasmania where she earned a Bachelor of Law (Hons) and a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Science. Loren started out working as a lawyer in Melbourne, and then moved on to work as an Environmental Lawyer for the Yap State Environmental Protection Agency in Micronesia. Loren currently works as a Legal Counsel for the World Bank, based in New York. She joined the NYSF Board in July 2016 as an ordinary director.
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Dr Renée Kidson
NYSF Alumni Director
Dr Renée Kidson is a multi-disciplinary scientist and economist; and a soldier, scholar and strategic leader.
She is an alumna of the International Science School (University of Sydney: 1991) and of the NYSF completing the program in 1992. Renée holds five degrees, including a Master of Military and Defence Studies with The Australian National University and a Doctorate from Trinity College, University of Cambridge. She is currently a Group Leader at the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group. Renée is also an Associate Professor (Adjunct) at the University of California (Santa Cruz); and additionally she is a long-standing Australian Army Officer (rank of Lieutenant Colonel), with operational deployment experience. She currently serves part-time as the Commanding Officer of the 5th Engineer Regiment. Renée helped found Sapere Aude, a mentoring program for high school girls in Sydney. In 2015, Renée completed a 3-month secondment in the West Kimberleys with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in association with the Jawun program. In her spare time, Renée enjoys old-fashioned home-cooking and traditional wool yarncraft; spending time at her modest beach house; keeping fit and healthy in the great Australian outdoors; time with family; and the Arts. Renée has been a member of the NYSF Board since late 2015. -
Kenneth R Hall
Rotary Liaison Officer
Ken Hall served a full term as an officer of Rotary International and is a member in good standing of the eRotary Club of District 9650. He was selected as Rotary Liaison Officer to serve on the NYSF Board by the Rotary Institute held in Hobart in 2018. Ken holds academic qualifications from the University of Sydney and University of New England in Science and Education with majors in Chemistry and Mathematics. He has also completed courses at TAFE New England in computer accounting and website design. In addition, Ken is a qualified Marriage Celebrant and a Justice of the Peace in New South Wales.
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Bruce Hunter
Financial Director
Bruce Hunter is a Partner at McKinsey & Company, and leader of the firm’s Canberra practice and Public and Social Sector Practice. Prior to joining McKinsey, Bruce was a Partner at EY for 7 years and was their Oceania Advisory Government and Public Sector leader with a focus on Central Agencies, Transport, and Defence for Australia and New Zealand, as well as State and Territory Governments for Australia. Before EY, Bruce was a Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of the then Department of Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and over his APS career held a number of senior executive positions across Government. Bruce is a Fellow CPA and completed the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD in Fontainebleau France. Bruce is passionate about solving challenging societal issues and making a positive contribution to the lives of citizens, whilst building the individual leadership capabilities of others. Bruce currently mentors 40+ leaders across the Australian Public Service. Bruce enjoys spending time with his family and friends, all types of fishing, golf and working on his acreage outside of Canberra.
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Sally Vardy
Secretary
Sally Vardy has been the Principal of Beyond Your Numbers Pty Limited for over 23 years. The organisation provides governance and financial consultancy services to a range of organisations. Sally has a range of current and former appointments as Company Secretary/Public Officer and/or CFO with Cooperative Research Centres, membership organisation and many private sector businesses. Sally’s background in accounting services was established in an international accounting firm, and then a Canberra-based boutique business services firm, where she spent over three years as a partner, and ten years in the practice.
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Dr Melanie Bagg
Chief Executive Officer
Dr Melanie Bagg GAICD, is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National
Youth Science Forum (NYSF). The NYSF is a not-for-profit charity that has been
connecting young people across Australia with their science, technology,
engineering, and maths (STEM) futures for over 39 years.
Melanie has an extensive background in scientific research, with a BSc, a BHSc
(Hons) and a PhD in Medicine from the University of Adelaide. A graduate of the
Australian Institute of Company Directors Course, Melanie also has more than 15
years of experience in STEM management, business development and
fundraising, communication, outreach, international relations, publishing and
media across not-for-profit, higher education, mainstream media, government,
and industry sectors.In 2016 while working at the Australian Science Media Centre, Melanie was
awarded the Unsung Hero of SA Science Communication for her voluntary
contributions to translating complex science into something we can all
understand as ABC Adelaide’s regular Medical Science Myth Buster. As Director
of Communications at the Australian Academy of Science, Melanie established a
STEM video production unit, led her team to unprecedented publishing success
globally and was awarded two Public Relations Institute of Australia’s (PRIA)
Golden Target Awards for Not-for-Profit In-House Team of the Year in 2018.
Melanie is passionate about helping young people understand what sorts of
STEM jobs they can pursue and loves to connect the wider community with the
latest research stories on social media and as a regular STEM commentator on
ABC Radio National.
Patrons
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Professor Tanya Monro FAA FTSE FOSA FAIP GAICD
Science Patron
Professor Tanya Monro attended the NYSF in 1990 (then known as the National Science Summer School (NSSS)). Tanya is now an award-winning Australian Physicist, known internationally for her work in photonics. In March 2019, Tanya was appointed to the role of Chief Defence Scientist of Australia. Prior to this, she was Vice President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation at the University of South Australia. Tanya is an Emeritus Professor at the University of South Australia and Adjunct Professor at the University of Adelaide. She is also an Australian Research Council (ARC) Georgina Sweet Laureate Fellow. Professor Monro is a Fellow of a number of professional associations including the Australian Academy of Science (AAS), the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and the Australian Institute of Physics. She is a member of the Board of the South Australian Economic Advisory Council, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the AAS National Committee for Physics. Before becoming the Science Patron to the NYSF, Tanya was Chair of the Board from 2014 to 2016.
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Governor-General of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley
Joint Patrons
His Excellency General the Honourable David John Hurley AC DSC (Retd) was sworn in as the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 July 2019.
David Hurley joined the Australian Army in January 1972, graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. In a long and distinguished 42-year military career, his service culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force.
He commanded the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment during Operation SOLACE in Somalia in 1993, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross. Following promotion to Colonel, he was appointed Chief of Staff, Headquarters 1st Division in June 1994, attending the U.S. Army War College in 1996 and 1997. He commanded the 1st Brigade from 1999-2000 in Darwin, supporting Australian-led operations in East Timor. He was appointed the inaugural Chief of Capability Development Group from 2003-07, Chief of Joint Operations Command in October 2007, and Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July 2008. He was promoted to Chief of the Defence Force in 2011 until his retirement in 2014. In 2010, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the Australian Defence Force.
Prior to being sworn in as Governor-General, David Hurley served as the 38th Governor of New South Wales from October 2014 – May 2019.
Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley has spent her professional life in education, teaching and mentoring young people in both public and private school systems until her retirement from full time teaching in July 2011.
She has been an active member of the community as a Pastoral Carer at the Canberra Hospital and Hospice.
Mrs Hurley has an interest in the Arts, especially music. She is passionate about singing, and showing how singing, especially in a group, can have a positive impact on individuals and the community.
Mrs Hurley is dedicated to championing causes that are developing new technologies to recycle rubbish, and ways to reduce our use of plastic, particularly plastic packaging and plastics used for single use items, which are not only harmful to the environment but add unnecessarily to landfill sites.
Council Members
Professor Joseph Hope - Australian National University
Professor Jenny Graves, AO FAA - Australian Academy of Science
Vacant - Rotary
Ruth Carr - CSIRO
A/Professor Alison Shield - University of Canberra (NYSF Alumna)
Emeritus Professor Robin Stanton - Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
Issac Kozlovskis- Student Chief of Staff – 2023 NYSF (NYSF Alum)
Elizabeth (Libby) Kells - Student Chief of Staff – 2023 NYSF (NYSF Alum)
Aadya Mishra - Student Chief of Staff – 2023 NYSF (NYSF Alumn)