Our board
Our Directors bring many years of corporate governance experience and commitment to the professional leadership of our organisation. Our board members have broad networks, and a diverse range of skills, expertise and experience.
Dr Bruce Robinson
Founder
Doctor, lecturer, speaker, scientist, and best-selling author. Bruce has published over 200 professional papers and received numerous awards.
For 20 years he has also been researching, lecturing and speaking about fathering and how to be a better dad.
In 2013 he won the prestigious Western Australian of the year award for medical research and charity work, including his work with establishing The Fathering Project and advocacy of the benefits of good fathering.
In his work as a cancer specialist, Dr Bruce Robinson has had to tell hundreds of men that they only had a short time left to live. For too many of these men, regret was a key reaction – “I wish I had spent more time with my family/with my children”. Bruce realised that there was a need for fathers to, as he puts it, “learn to live richly at the front end so you don’t have regrets at the back end” – in other words, to learn how to build those relationships with the family and improve that work/life balance so that down the track they don’t wish things could have been different.
Bruce is married to Jacqui and they have three adult children.
Bruce also has his own website where you can learn more about his work.
Geoff Lloyd
Chairman of the board
Geoff Lloyd has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, with an extensive understanding of the sector and demonstrated leadership skills. He has a proven track record in transforming and sustainably growing businesses.
Ken Wyatt
The Hon Ken Wyatt AM was the first Indigenous Australian to serve in the House of Representatives, Cabinet and as Minister for Indigenous Australians from 2019 to 2022. He achieved the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, established the Indigenous Voice concept, and pioneered the National Roadmap on Indigenous Skills, Jobs and Wealth Creation.
He also served as Minister for Aged Care, Indigenous Health, and Senior Australians and Aged Care. Before politics, he worked in health and education public service roles and was recognised for his contribution to improving the quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and mainstream Australian society.
Serving as Australia’s first Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken was able to secure the historic National Agreement on Closing the Gap and established the Indigenous Voice concept and process.
Ken also pioneered the National Roadmap on Indigenous Skills, Jobs and Wealth Creation and was instrumental in the Commonwealth Government securing the copyright to the Aboriginal Flag.
As the Member for Hasluck, Ken won four consecutive elections (2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019) making him the longest serving Member for the electorate.
In his first term of Parliament he was appointed Co-Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Ken also served as Minister for Aged Care, Minister for Indigenous Health and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care.
Before entering politics he worked in health and education public service roles in WA and NSW.
Not only has Ken had an extensive career in health and education, he has also made an enormous contribution to the wider community in training and mentoring young people. This was recognised in 1996 when he was awarded the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. In 2000, he was awarded a Centenary of Federation Medal for ‘his efforts and contribution to improving the quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and mainstream Australian society in education and health.
James Brown
Member of the board
James is a registered Clinical Psychologist and has been working with families for over 15 years.
Tim Hammond
Member of the board
Former Federal Labor MP Tim Hammond was welcomed onto the Fathering Project Board after stepping away from politics in May 2018 to be more connected with his young family.
Anton Gaudry
Member of the board
Anton is a chartered accountant with over 30 years’ experience. He has specialised in servicing the not for profit sector. Married with two children, Anton has always prided himself most on his role in the home.
Our CEO
Káti Gapaillard
Chief Executive Officer
Káti was appointed Chief Executive Officer at The Fathering Project in December 2019. Káti is a skilled strategist with a highly successful track record in the private, public and NGO sectors both locally and internationally.
Passionate about social impact, she focuses on the human-centred approach and works towards cross sector collaboration, aligning individuals and organisations from the not-for-profit, philanthropic, government and business sectors to jointly address and solve complex social issues.
She holds a Bachelor and Masters degree from the University of Sydney and is a non-executive Director for several organisations.
Our patrons
We’re grateful to our patrons, whose support helps us to not only reach fathers and father figures across the country, but to support and equip them to be better in their roles.
John Anderson AO
Patron
“I have personally benefitted from The Fathering Project and I am absolutely convinced and have been since it started well over 10 years ago, that The Fathering Project is something Australian dads need, their kids need it and because the kids really are literally our country’s future our country needs it as well.”
John Anderson AO had a distinguished political career that spanned nearly two decades. He served as a Member of Parliament (Gwydir) from 1989 to 2007 and as the 11th Deputy Prime Minister from 1999 to 2005. He also held the position of the 10th Leader of the National Party of Australia during his time as Deputy PM.
John was honoured in 2011 as the recipient of Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service during his political career and his contribution to the rural communities in Australia, as well as his support for transportation development and water management.
Ern Edwards
Patron
Ern is a father, grandfather and valued patron of The Fathering Project. A self-made businessman, Ern has been committed to improving youth outcomes throughout his adult life. Ern’s heart for fathers and his ongoing support for our mission make him a highly-valued member of The Fathering Project team.
Our ambassadors
We have wonderful support in leaders from all walks of life, who are just as passionate as us about fathering and children. Our Ambassadors provide their time, experience or expertise to spread the word about the benefits of effective fathering and the work of The Fathering Project.
Martin Black
The former Chairman of The Fathering Project’s board for just under three years, we are now thrilled to have Martin as an Ambassador. Martin’s dedication and passion about the importance and value of positive and confident parenting, particularly from dads shines through in everything he does.
Geoff Hutchison
Geoff Hutchison is an experienced Australian journalist. Born and raised in West Australia, Geoff has worked across a number of print and broadcast outlets including Ch 7 and Ch 9 news.
He was also a senior reporter on ABC 7.30 report.
Geoff currently presents the Morning programme on 720 ABC Perth and has supported the activities of The Fathering Project for many years.
Duncan Armstrong OAM
Duncan Armstrong is an Australian former competitive swimmer, Olympic champion, and world record-holder best remembered for winning a gold and silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Today he is an expert commentator, swimming coach and swimming safety advocate.
Duncan is a proud father of five children. He received the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1993 and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1996. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for recognition of service to swimming.
James McMahon DSC DSM
James McMahon DSC, DSM had a 24 year career in the Australian Defence Force which included working as a Commanding Officer of the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) and serving in a number of countries including Afghanistan, Iraq and Timor-Leste.
After leaving the Defence Force, James has worked across private and public organisations, including four years as Commissioner for the Department of Corrective Services in Western Australia where he focussed heavily on rehabilitation and reconciliation.
James is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Australian Capital Equity. He is the recipient of both the Distinguished Service Cross and Distinguished Service Medal and was named the West Australian of the Year in 2019.
Professor Fiona Wood AM
Professor Fiona Wood is one of Australia’s most innovative and respected surgeons and researchers.
A highly skilled plastic and reconstructive surgeon and world leading burns specialist, she has pioneered research and technology development in burns medicine.
A mother to six children, Professor Wood is currently the Director of the Burns Service of WA and Research Director at the Fiona Woods Foundation. She has been nationally recognised for her important work, receiving an Order of Australia Medal and being named Australian of the Year in 2005.
Professor Donna Cross
Donna Cross is a Professor with the School of Population and Global Health at the University of Western Australia and the Program Head of Health Education and Promotion Research at the Telethon Kids Institute.
Professor Cross has an international reputation for developing school and community-based interventions to reduce bullying and aggression among children and young people. A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, she has been a leading investigator in a number of significant research programs both here and overseas. She is a strong advocate for children and vulnerable young people and their families’ safety and wellbeing and received the WA Australian of the Year Award in 2012.
Andrew Scipione AO APM
Andrew Scipione is a former police officer who served as Commissioner of NSW Police from 2007-2017.
He is currently a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute and holds the role of Adjunct Professor with the University of Western Sydney’s School of Social Sciences and Psychology.
In addition to receiving a number of significant internal police awards, Andrew is a recipient of the Australian Police Medal, the National Police Service Medal and is an Officer of the Order of Australia. Andrew and his wife Joy have three children.
Nick Farr Jones AM
Nick Farr-Jones played an integral part in the success of Australian Rugby Union, captaining the Wallabies to bring home the 1991 Rugby Union World Cup and the 1992 Bledisloe Cup.
He was Australia’s most-capped scrum half and its most-capped captain, and recognised for his service by becoming a Member of the Order of Australia in 1992.
Nick retired from professional playing in 1993. Following a decade with the investment bank, Societe Generale, in 2010 Nick moved to Taurus Funds Management, one of Australia’s first resources hedge funds. He is a dedicated father to four children.
Dr Tim Hawkes OAM
Dr Tim Hawkes is a well-respected authority on boys’ education, most recently serving as principal and then Headmaster at one of Australia’s most well-known schools, The King’s School, in Sydney.
He has also been a trusted advisor to the Australian Government, serving as a member of the “Forum on the Education of Boys” in 2002.
His first book, “Boy Oh Boy” became a best seller and he continues to write and speak extensively on the issue of educating boys. One of his more recent books, “Ten conversations you must have with your son” has also sold well and been translated into several languages. The father of two daughters and a son, Dr Hawkes has written a number of best-selling books on educating and parenting boys and girls.
Dennis Lillee AM MBE
Dennis Lillee is a former Australian cricketer, described as the most outstanding fast bowler of his generation, finishing his career with 355 dismissals from just 70 matches to underline his status as one of the all-time greats.
Since retiring from competition, Dennis has dedicated himself to mentoring and coaching the next generation of fast bowlers.
Dennis was inducted into both the Australian and ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, named in the Australian Test team of the Century and awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000. A father to two sons, Dennis is a Member of the Order of the British Empire and a Member of the Order of Australia.
Dennis Cometti
Dennis Cometti is one of the best-known and most respected sports commentators in Australia, with a particular passion for AFL, of which he was also a high-level player and coach.
After retiring from his national broadcast commentating roles, Dennis still appears regularly on Seven News and Today Tonight in WA, writes for The West Australian newspaper and in his semi-retirement broadcasts AFL football on Mix94.5 in Perth. He is a proud Dad to a son and a daughter.
David Flanagan AO
David originally qualified as a geologist at the WA School of Mines and has worked in the resources industry in Australia, Africa and Asia for the past 25 years.
He was the 6th Chancellor of Murdoch University and is currently Executive Chairman of Battery Minerals, Non-Executive Director of Northern Star Resources and serving on the boards of several charities and not-for-profit organisations.
David has received a number of industry and community awards including Governors Award for Giving 2011, Eisenhower Fellowship 2013 as well as Business Leader of the Year and Western Australian of the Year 2014.
Petero Civoniceva
Petero is a former rugby league player who was born in Suva, Fiji. He played 235 games for the Brisbane Broncos, winning two NRL Grandfinals in 1998 and 2006.
He played 74 games for the Penrith Panthers, becoming the 17th player in NRL history to play 300 NRL games. He was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame in 2018.
As a father of four, Petero has a strong passion for youth and encouraging and guiding their development towards becoming the best that they can be.
Professor Ian Frazer AC
Professor Ian Frazer is a clinical immunologist and researcher who moved to Australia from Scotland.
He is a co-inventor of the technology enabling the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, currently used worldwide to help prevent cervical cancer. HE is currently CEO and Director of Research at the Translational Research Institute, at the University of Queensland.
A father of three adult sons, Prof Frazer has received many awards for his work including the Prime Ministers Award for Science, the Balzan Prize and the Australian Medical Association Gold Medal. He was recognised as Australian of the Year in 2006 and has been appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia.
Rev Tim Costello AO
Rev Tim Costello AO is an Australian Baptist minister, recognised as one of Australia’s leading voices on social justice, leadership and ethics.
He has spearheaded public debates on gambling, urban poverty, homelessness, reconciliation and substance abuse.
Through his work with World Vision Australia and more recently with Micah Australia, Rev Costello has been instrumental in ensuring that the issues surrounding global poverty and disadvantage are placed on the national agenda. Tim and his wife Merridie have three adult children, Claire, Elliot and Martin.
Elijah Boul OAM
Elijah is a father of 4 children and is of South Sudanese Australian background who came as an unaccompanied minor refugee to Australia in 2002.
He is a Criminologist and nationally Credited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner who has extensive experience working with young people and disadvantaged families. His advocacy work was instrumental in removing children under 18 from adult prisons in Queensland.
Elijah is a recipient of multiple achievement awards including 2019 Queensland Local Hero for Australian of the Year Awards and Medal of Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the community.
Brad Haddin
Bradley Haddin is a former Australian cricketer, vice-captain and coach who has represented Australia in all forms of international cricket.
As a right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper, he also captained the New South Wales Blues.
Brad retired early from his sporting career to support his daughter Mia as she battled a rare form of cancer. He wrote a book about his experiences called “My Family’s Keeper” that he dedicated to his family.
Justin Langer
Justin was an international cricket player, considered one of the best opening batsman in the world.
Following his retirement from competition, Justin took on the role of Head Coach for the Australian Men’s cricket team across all formats of the game. He is also Board Member of the West Cost Eagles AFL team.
Being a husband and father of four girls, Justin is dedicated to the most important team of all – his family.
