The National Trust of South Australia Council consists of a President, Vice President and ten Councilors.

Mr Paul Leadbeter


President



Paul 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.

Ms Millie Nicholls


Vice President



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.

Millie has also a strong commitment to Lancare and was awarded the SA individual Landcarer award in 2011. Millie is passionate about the environment and is a member of the Trust's Natural Heritage Advisory Committee, and the Audit, Finance and Governance Committee. She is also a strong supporter of the branch structure of the Trust, and of country branches and communities in particular.

Prof Brett Bowden


Councillor


BIntSt (Hons), PhD, FRHistS, FRSN, JP

Brett is a Professor of History and multi-award–winning author. He is an elected Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (UK) and the Royal Society of NSW. Brett serves the community via the NYP Health Advisory Council, the SA Department of Health Policy Advisory Committee on Technology and the SA Medicines Evaluation Panel, as a Justice of the Peace and as Treasurer of Kadina Memorial School Governing Council. He lives with his young family in a historic homestead in the Moonta Mines Heritage Precinct, where he volunteers for the Moonta branch of the National Trust in various capacities.

Mr Tully Brookes


Councillor



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

Ms Elaine Davies


Councillor


LFRAIA

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.

Ms Alice Fitch


Councillor



Alice Fitch is a dynamic entrepreneur with successful businesses in fashion wholesale. Her company Whola is transforming the way business is done in this legacy industry. Alice has particular experience in innovation and transformation with a keen commercial sense. She has a love of heritage buildings and is a passionate protector of heritage so it can remain meaningful and commercial in today’s environment. Alice’s skill set focuses on strategic marketing and communications. She possesses a Bachelor of Journalism, majoring in marketing and a Professional Certificate in Innovation for Transformation. Alice was recognised as a young business leader in South Australia's 40 Under 40

Mr Christopher Guille


Councillor



Chris 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.

Mr James Harvey


Councillor



James is a retired chartered accountant who has worked for many years in that field; including as a partner of Grant Thornton for twenty years.
James owns a grazing property at Narrung and two smaller farm properties on Kangaroo Island. He was Chairman of the Council of Governors of St Peter's College for 5years until 2016 and a governor of that council for 15years, giving him valuable experience in the not for profit sector.
James now retired was a member of St Mark's College Council and deputy chairman. James additionally has a long-term experience in management of substantial investment funds. He lives with his family in a heritage listed house.

Ms Jo Lokan


Councillor



I have been the past chair and treasurer of the Burnside Branch for the past 3 years and a committee member for the past 9 years.
I am the current President of the Tailem Bend Netball Club. I have held the position of Vice President of Netball Operations for the Oakdale Netball Club. I am a life member of the River Murray Netball Association. I am also a life member of the Toronto Amateur Swimming Club. I am a past committee member on the technical committee for the Stockfeed Manufacturers Council of Australia.
My business history is owner and operator of Meningie Fodder (Stockfeed Manufacturers) for 37 years, which we have now retired from. I am married to Steven and we have three adult children Jenna, Georgia and Danielle.

Ms Catherine Peacock


Councillor



Catherine lives and works in the Southern Flinders Ranges. Her interest in building technology and built history developed during studies for Diploma of Interior Decoration. More recent University studies in Diploma of Sustainable Living have presented the flip side of development and settlement. Catherine is keen to continue exploring how governance and trends affect how natural history and built history are preserved and maintained.
She sees community engagement in the wonderful historical places people live being being key to National Trust and it’s assets.
Catherine is the current chairperson of Burra branch and has been a branch member for three years.

Ms Alison Stillwell OAM


Councillor


Recently awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her services to Kingston SE, Alison 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.

Ms Di Wilkins


Councillor



Di Wilkins joined NTSA in the 1970s as a newly married teacher and young mother in the mid north of SA. After teaching in Jamestown and then at Adelaide High, she changed profession and worked for a federal MP. She is currently a microfinance loan counsellor at Uniting Communities.
Di was an elected Member on Burnside Council (2003-06 and 2010-18) and represented residents in the City of Burnside. Her home is one of many ‘contributory items’ in the unique suburb of Eastwood - one of 9 important policy areas in the Heritage Conservation Zones in the City of Burnside. Di has always been an energetic contributor and volunteer in many community organisations and is currently a member of the Australian Garden History Society, Friends of the Botanic Gardens and Carrick Hill, Rotary Club of Adelaide, Burnside Historical Society and Mediterranean Garden Society.

Committees

The Committee provides comment on Commonwealth, State and Local Government policies and projects affecting the heritage of the State and proposes actions to Council for approval where relevant. It also develops policies and strategies for conservation.