Council

Millie Nicholls was first involved with the National Trust as a State Office employee in 1971 and has been heavily involved over the past seven years on the Natural Heirtage Advisory Committee and more recently, Council. She is a strong supporter of the branch structure of the Trust, and of country branches and communities in particular.

Millie has qualifications in Science and Rural Business Management. She and her husband have run a family farm in the Mid-North for 45 years, and they have four children. As well as a love of old buildings, Millie has an interest in natural resource management and has served on many government boards, and she recently retired after eight years on the Board of the Nature Foundation.

Chris Guille has post graduate qualifications in Economics and Economic History and career experience in banking, finance, and trustee industries. He has held a number of senior positions including with the Reserve Bank of Australia, Perpetual Trustees and Executor Trustee and Agency Co where he was managing director.

In the not-for-profit sector, Chris was for many years on the board of St Peters Girls School in Adelaide and has over 20 years' experience working as an adviser with several indigenous charitable trusts including the large Maralinga Trust. Until recently, Chris was also a Chairman of National Senior Australia Limited, Australia's largest research and advocacy group for older Australians with over 80,000 members.

Paul Leadbeter has been a Councillor of National Trust for four years and for the last two years also President. Paul is a qualified lawyer and legal academic whose specialty is Environmental and Land Use Planning Law. He has an adjuncy role with Adelaide Law School and is a members of the State Commission Assessment Panel. IN 2023 Paul was made a Member of ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites). He has held previous roles on the governing boards of the Australian Conservation Foundation, the SA Environmental Defenders Office and the Conservation Council of SA.

Paul believes conserving SA heritage buildings and places for the benefits of present and future generations is essential and supports adaptive reuse of appropriate heritage buildings provided the building's recognised heritage values are protected. He is keen to try and increase the interest of younger people in heritage and the work of the National Trust.

Recently awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her services to Kingston SE, Alison Stillwell joined the NTSA Kingston Branch in 2015, serving as Secretary for the past 6 years. She has a particular interest in the NTSA Cape Jaffa Lighthouse Museum and the potential it has to become a major tourist destination and a community hub.
As a teacher by profession, Alison brings an education perspective to the engagement and support of volunteer guides. Her passion is to assist in developing a confident, exciting and sustainable future for this unique NTSA asset beyond its 150 years, and she is keen to extend her advocacy for the NTSA and South Australia’s heritage through a commitment at NTSA Council level.

Tully Brookes is an Adelaide-based pianist and conductor. He is currently completing a PhD at the University of Adelaide, and in 2013 was awarded the Geoffrey Parsons Award - Australia’s most lucrative and prestigious award for the collaborative pianist. Tully is music director of the Flinders Street Baptist Church and the Mitcham Orchestra.

Outside of music, Tully is an enthusiastic architectural historian and is co-author of Houses and Estates of Old Glamorgan (2017) - the definitive survey of early buildings in eastern Tasmania. Launched by Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner, AC, Governor of Tasmania, this publication was awarded the 2018 Marita Bardenhagen Memorial Award for Local History. Tully has also planned and undertaken fieldwork spanning hundreds of historic rural properties throughout Tasmania and Victoria, in association with Dr Ian Evans. He is a life member of the National Trust of Tasmania, a member of the Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee of the National Trust of South Australia, and a long-term resident of the Town of Walkerville.

Elaine Davies completed her education in Adelaide achieving a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Adelaide. Her professional career commenced at architects Jackman Gooden Scott & Swan and she became a director of that firm in 1983. Part-time work became more attractive after 1985 at various other firms. From 1997 work was with Ron Danvers of Danvers Pty Ltd offering increasing activity with heritage properties including the conservation of the Beehive Corner Buildings. The rest of her architectural career was spent with DASH Architects on projects for community, private and heritage clients until retiring as an Architect in 2016. Involvement with examining candidates for Architectural registration continued until 2018 and she is still on the Honours Committee of the Australian Institute of Architects South Australian Chapter.

Jo Lokan is the current President of the Tailem Bend Netball Club, has held the position of Vice President of Netball Operations for the Oakdale Netball Club and is a life member of the River Murray Netball Association. She is also a life member of the Toronto Amateur Swimming Club and a past committee member on the technical committee for the Stockfeed Manufacturers Council of Australia.

Jo was the Chair and Treasurer of the Burnside Branch for the past 3 years and a committee member for the past 9 years which brings a unique and valued perspective to the National Trust Council.
Jo's business history is owner and operator of Meningie Fodder (Stockfeed Manufacturers) for 37 years, which she has retured with her husband Steve. Jo has three adult children Jenna, Georgia and Danielle.

William Miller brings extensive experience in law and policy, along with seven years of service as an elected member of the Holdfast Bay Council. During his tenure, he successfully elevated 34 properties to local heritage status, championed an Art Deco heritage review, and personally conducted a street-by-street survey that identified hundreds of properties for potential heritage listing. He also initiated the installation of several new plaques and commissioned a bust of Jimmy Melrose.

Deeply committed to local history, William is keen to give back and apply his skills in advocacy, governance, and stakeholder engagement to support the National Trust of South Australia and help deliver positive heritage outcomes.