National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Executive Team

Simon brings to the Trust an essential mix of heritage experience, arts management and commercial understanding.

With such a broad range of sites, Simon’s early Farm Management studies at Muresk Agricultural College and his work at the WA Department of Agriculture bring an informed and sensitive understanding to his role at the Trust.

Further Arts Management study at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts led to a role as Director of the Asia Pacific Multimedia Festival and then as Director of McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park.

With extensive experience in farming, the arts and finally Tourism, through his roles as Director of the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre in Katoomba, CEO of the Margaret River Tourism Authority and CEO of Visit Sunshine Coast, Simon can ensure that the Trust continues as a strong, powerful, relevant organisation.

Sherredan joined the Trust in 2007 as a volunteer at Rippon Lea after completing a Bachelor of Arts at La Trobe University. After holding various property managers roles, in 2016 Sherredan became the Trust’s Asset Manager and became responsible for all sites across Victoria.

Recently Sherredan was appointed Assets and Conservation Manager and now looks after repairs and maintenance, conservation projects and operations across various sites.

Samantha joined the Trust in her capacity as a Conservation Architect in 2014 and has worked in the Executive team since 2016. In 2023 she was appointed the Executive Manager, Conservation and Advocacy.

Samantha is a registered architect with over 25 years experience of working in the heritage industry with involvement in all aspects of professional heritage architecture services including work in State and Local Government as well as private practice.

Since working as the Conservation Architect for the National Trust Samantha has gained an understanding of the key role the Trust can play in supporting and advocating for owners and managers of heritage places. With over 40 heritage places in their care, Samantha sees the National Trust property portfolio as an important advocacy tool where we can demonstrate conservation practice, share our experiences and provide learning opportunities for a wide audience and for all types of heritage processes.

Samantha is also passionate about breaking down the negative perceptions around heritage, so it is not seen as a barrier but as an opportunity to enrich a project and something to be embraced and enjoyed, rather than feared.

Justin joined the Trust as a Qualified Gardener in 1999. In that time he has held various roles across the organisation, including Manager of Horticulture and Projects and Rippon Lea Head Gardener.

Currently, Justin oversees the management of all National Trust gardens across Victoria while also managing the heritage sites Rippon Lea, Como, Labassa and Glenfern. Justin is particularly interested in building close connections with the local community to develop the key role heritage will play in our cities and towns of the future.

Anna joined the Trust in 2018 as the Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer, Simon Ambrose. In less than a year, Anna moved into the newly created Senior Management position as the Trust’s Executive and Strategic Advisor. Anna acts as a strategic partner to, and advisor for the CEO and Executive Team, as they work to execute key strategic Initiatives, while importantly increasing the CEO’s reach of engagement with imperative Political, Philanthropic and Industry based leaders.

Anna brings a diverse wealth of arts, cultural and administrative experience with her, having completed a Master of Arts Administration, Curating and Cultural Leadership, a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, majoring in Photography, along with having worked in both private and public galleries, and arts and cultural institutions.

Annette joined the Trust in 2020. A qualified historian, museum curator and art educator, Annette has extensive managerial and curatorial experience within the heritage and cultural sectors.

She curated major exhibitions for the National Centre for Australian Studies, Monash University and the Australian Racing Museum and is the author of numerous publications including ‘Samples to Showbags: The Creation of an Australian Icon’, Bonzer: Australian Comics 1900 – 1990s and Fundraising, Flirtation and Fancywork: Charity Bazaars in Nineteenth Century Australia. Annette is a Board Member of the History Council of Victoria and Vice President of the Ephemera Society of Australia, and was a Committee Member of Museums Australia (Victoria).

Annette is passionate about connecting and empowering people and communities to create investigative and inclusive projects, which will see the Trust’s collections, places and stories enriched for future generations.