Great Connections | Our Ambassadors

Right from its inception, support for Greatconnections and its goals has come from many dynamic sources. In addition to the commitment of dedicated Board Members is another level of support – that of our team of Ambassadors. This very important group, whilst not involved in the day-to-day operations happily provides wise counsel on many levels whenever called upon, ensuring ‘best practice’ principles are maintained throughout the Greatconnections’ network.

Peter T Bartels, AO
FRSA, FAMI

Mr Peter Bartels is Chairman of the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Institute of Sport, Starpharma Holdings Limited and AusBio Ltd. He is the immediate past Chairman of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Committee for Sport and the Royal Women’s and Children’s hospitals and was a Director of the Melbourne Business School (Melbourne University).

Mr Bartels was previously CEO & Managing Director of Coles Myer Ltd and before that CEO & Managing Director of Fosters Brewing Group Limited. He was a member of the Business Council of Australia for eight years.

Peter Bartels is Patron of the Australian Cycling Federation, a Director of the organising committee for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006 and a Director of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, A member of The Sport Australia Hall of Fame, a Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute and a recipient of the Sir Charles McGrath award for marketing excellence.

In his youth Mr Bartels was an outstanding cyclist, an Australian team member for many years, and a Gold Medallist at the Perth 1962 Commonwealth Games 1000mt Time Trial.

His club memberships include: the Melbourne and Australian Club; Commonwealth and Sorrento Golf Clubs; Richmond Football Club; Victorian Racing Club; the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Surrey Country Cricket Club (UK).

Peter and his wife Marilyn have two adult sons and four grandchildren.

Elaine Canty
Elaine Canty worked as a solicitor before producing three children in quick succession. After several years at home she returned to the workforce in 1984 as the first female sports broadcaster for ABC TV and Radio in Victoria and later became the afternoon presenter for 774 (formerly 3LO). Obviously without big money ambitions, Elaine is now in her 22nd year with Aunty, as a regular presenter with Jon Faine on the Conversation Hour. For nine years she was a Member of the AFL Tribunal and is currently MD of Canty Communications, Chair of the Royal Botanic Gardens and is also on the Boards of Queen Victoria Market, Royal Women’s Hospital and the State Sport Centres Trust.

Peter Clemenger AM

Peter Clemenger has spent a lifetime in the advertising business. For 30 years he was Chairman of Clemenger Communications Limited, operating in Australia and New Zealand. Now “semi-retired”, Peter is still a member of the Clemenger Board and a member of the Clemenger Executive Committee.

Peter and his wife Joan, continue to travel the world, and also retain a very close involvement with the Arts in Melbourne.

Laurie Cox Laurie Cox AO
BCom, FCPA, FAICD, SF Fin

Laurie has been involved in Australian and international financial markets since 1960. He is Chairman of Transurban Group, and an Executive Director of Macquarie Bank Ltd. Prior to joining Macquarie Bank in 1996 he was Executive Chairman of the Potter Warburg Group in Australia and director of SG Warburg Securities of London and he is also the immediate past Chairman of the Australian Stock Exchange Limited (1989-1994).

In addition to his role as a company director Laurie is also Chairman of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute which is internationally renowned as Australia’s largest child health research institute. This role highlights to him the importance of individual help and support required by the not for profit sector. He sees Greatconnections as a huge step forward in enabling individuals to provide their skills to the sector on a selective basis.