The Sports Excellence Scholarship Fund (SESF) Committee regularly reviews the corporate governance framework to ensure continued best practice. The committee endeavours to add value to the organisation by bringing to the meetings their broad range of skills and experience. SESF has its own independent Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status and as such, all donations are tax deductible.
Andrew has had a distinguished career in post-secondary education, providing digital content, systems and academic services to more than 30,000 students across Australia each day.
Andrew is also actively involved in Australian high performance swimming and for more than 12 years was Chair of Melbourne Vicentre – the high performance swimming club based at MSAC.
Andrew sits on a number of sports, academic and corporate Boards where he brings more than 30 years of operational and governance experience.
Steven completed a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) at Swinburne and is a member of CPA Australia. He completed a Masters in Business (Sports Management) at Deakin University in 2015. Steven has over 16 years’ experience working in finance at BHP/BlueScope Steel and started his own CPA Public Practice in 2011 that provides a variety of business services to corporations, small business and sporting organisations – Jadestone Business Services / Sports Accounting Australia. Steven has worked at Netball Victoria in various executive roles since 2014. Steven has recently taken on the position of Chief Financial Officer at Paralympics Australia.
Former principal of Koonung Secondary College, current president of the Australian Council for Health Physical Education and Recreation Victoria branch and Life member of School Sport Victoria.
Mel Hopkins is one of Australia’s most successful and acclaimed marketers, previously Vice President Marketing CMO at Optus, and Chief Marketing and Audience Officer at Seven West Media.
With over 25 years’ global experience both agency and client side, Hopkins has deep consumer and enterprise experience across a wide range of sectors and high-profile brands, and in November 2022 was named #4 in CM050 2022, and in 2021 was awarded ‘APAC Marketer of the Year’ (Campaign Asia).
Hopkins is also a strategic advisor to the National Mental Health Commission and an advisory board member at ADMA.
Nathan Burke is a champion of the AFL. In 2019, Nathan was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame and was elevated to Legend status in the St Kilda Hall of Fame, one of only 9 Saints to achieve this honour. He set the club record for most games at his retirement, with 323 games.
Burke not only understands the sporting world, he has three daughters who have been through the School Sport Victoria pathway and represented Team Vic at School Sport Australia Championships. He is now a High-Performance expert and consultant, and published his first book in 2023.
Pieter is a sporting administrator and events professional, currently working at School Sport Victoria where he has held a variety of roles across the team, managing the Victorian Teachers’ Games event & interschool sport competition across Victoria. Pieter uses his wealth of experience to aid the SESF in events and grants.
Bridget brings her experience as Marketing Manager across several health funds to the committee as well as skills developed whilst, working in the sporting environment at SEDA and Netball Australia.
Peter is a founding member of the SESF board and has contributed an enormous amount to the SESF over the past 10 years.
It is thanks to his tireless efforts that the SESF has able to awards to hundreds of school students across the country, enabling them to continue to participate in their sporting endeavours.
Awarded an AM for significant service to athletics as a marathon runner, administrator, and mentor to young athletes in 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours, Steve is an Athletics Australia Board Member and Athletics Victoria Life Member. Additionally, Steve was also Chef de Mission 2010, 2014 and 2018 Australian Commonwealth Games Team.
Steve began his athletics journey in 1976 at age 14 and achieved various career highlights including Commonwealth Games gold, silver and bronze medals.
Steve has been an instrumental ambassador and mentor for the SESF over the last 8 years. His professional resume is second to none and he has been an exceptional spokesperson for the foundation. He has given an enormous amount of his time in providing guidance and support the next generation of athletes.
Ash finished up her gymnastics career as a two time Olympian, dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist and a three-time world championship team member.
Since retiring after the London Olympics, Ash has now completed a Master in Clinical Exercise Physiology (Rehabilitation) and remains involved in the sport, speaking publically where opportunities present and introducing primary school children to gymnastics to show them the benefits of building strong foundations through these skills.
Ash is a wonderful SESF ambassador who has participated in our mentorship program, offering wonderful insight on her experience as a student and elite athlete to the next generation of stars. She has shown great commitment to SESF over the years and was presented with a life membership in 2023 in recognition of her hard work on behalf of the charity, for which we are very grateful.
Dual-Olympian, Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist and Australian & Oceanic record holder.
Brooke began athletics at the young age of 5, and found her passion for Long Jump. She progressed to be the current Australian Open Long Jump Champion, a Rio & Olympic Finalist, a World Indoor finalist and a World Championships finalist.
Brooke took home silver at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018 with a jump of 6.77m and placed 7th at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a jump of 6.83m. 2024 is a big year for Brooke and she works to qualify for the Paris Olympics, winning her 6th National Title in the process.
Brooke is a wonderful asset to the SESF, taking on mentorship opportunities as part of her Ambassadorship and always working to promote the SESF wherever she can. Brooke was presented with a life membership in 2024 in recognition of her commitment to SESF and our athletes.
Liz and Anthony Phillips have been exemplary supporters of the SESF and young Australian athletes over the past 10 years. They played an integral role in our national campaign, and increased their contribution to the fund to support athletes all across Australia.
Their contributions are more than financial; they show genuine interest, engage deeply, and have hosted numerous events for us. Their involvement extends to the SESF alumni program, including their Athlete Extension Program that now supports 10 emerging athletes aged 19-29.
Their entire family is actively involved, embodying the spirit of community and generosity. Above all, their kindness and dedication make them remarkable patrons and wonderful people.
In recognition of their extensive contribution, Liz and Anthony Phillips were named Patrons of the SESF in 2024.
Kate recently completed her Master of Global Media and Communication at the University of Melbourne and is currently working in communications within the sports technology sector. A lover of sport all her life, Kate is eager about helping others reach their goals and enabling all athletes to pursue their dreams.
Adam Miller is an Australian sprinter who competed at the Athens Olympics, 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 2007 IAAF World Championships.
He is passionate about young people achieving their best in sport and coaches and mentors emerging athletes in regional NSW.
Adam is also an U7’s Soccer Coach extraordinaire as well as working in the wine industry in various capacities.
Adams volunteer role with the SESF is to inspire and engage financial partners so they can award more scholarships to deserving athletes.
| Name | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Grining | Penguin P-12/President Tasmanian Principals Association | TAS |
| Fiona Taylor | Western Heights College | VIC |
| Cameron Heath | Casey Fields Primary School | VIC |
| Tim East | School of Sports Education | NT |
| Rob Lawson | Darling Range Sports College | WA |
| Neesha Flint | Geraldton Grammar School | WA |
| Ken Bates | Mount Annan High School | NSW |
| Andrew Hooper | Emu Heights Public School | NSW |
| Steven Richard | Bolwarra Public School | NSW |
| Clayton Disley | Reynella East College | SA |
| Peter Turner | Bray Park State High School | QLD |
| Simon Murphy | Blackheath & Thornburgh College | QLD |
The SESF was founded in 2012. We have strong governance in place across all areas of the charity:
