Meet our Board:
Bruce Pettman, President
Bruce Pettman’s areas of expertise cover building and urban conservation, including the protection, repair, adaptation and adaptive reuse of culturally significant buildings and sites. He is a retired heritage architect and is the former Director Heritage, Environment & Planning for NSW Public Works, and has 48 years professional experience as an architect and heritage architect.
Since 1993 Bruce has also provided heritage conservation capacity building and the delivery of heritage projects in various parts of Asia for the World Bank, UNESCO, government agencies, NGOs and private sector. In 2003 he received a Centenary of Federation Medal for services to the conservation of historic buildings. In 2022 he received the National Trust’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr Kimberley Webber, Deputy President
A long-term volunteer with the National Trust, Dr Kimberley Webber first volunteered as a student, joining the team at Old Government House as a guide. In 2016 she joined the Women’s Committee and is also a member of the Country House Inspections Panel.
Having worked as a curator in the field of social history, Kimberley has over 40 years’ experience with cultural organisations, historic collections and heritage places. She has a PhD in Australian history from Sydney University and has produced a wide range of exhibitions. She also has a master’s degree in Public Administration and has held a number of governance positions. She currently manages the Australian National Maritime Museum Foundation, raising funds to support its collection and fleet of historic vessels.
David Pratt, Treasurer
David Pratt was born in Sydney with a family line that goes back to the very early days of colonial settlement. This and his keen interest in Australian history, architecture and horticulture are what aligns him to the National Trust (NSW).
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants with a Masters of Economics degree from Macquarie University. His extensive career as a partner at PwC in management consultancy; specialising in restructuring, risk and financial management optimisation, are the skills and knowledge he brings to the leadership team of the National Trust.
David has been a member of the National Trust (NSW) FARM Committee since 2018, has been a Director and Treasurer of the Australasian Pioneers’ Club since 2015 and was previously a Director and Treasurer of the Arthritis Foundation of NSW for over 10 years.
Hector Abrahams, Board Director
Hector Abrahams has enjoyed a 38-year career in heritage conservation. Firstly, as a heritage architect and partner at Clive Lucas Stapleton and the last twelve years in his own practice. He has had a long association with the National Trust, joining as a member when he was a young architecture student through to advising on the recent conservation works at Cooma Cottage and Everglades House & Gardens.
Hector is also connected to other organisations related to heritage, serving as the chair of the heritage committee at the Australian Institute of Architects NSW, Chapter, the Vice President of Australia ICOMOS and a board member at the Royal Australian Historical Society. He has also taught continuously in the Masters of Conservation course at the University of Sydney since the mid-1990s.
Lucy Creagh, Board Director
A practicing urban designer, Lucy Creagh is trained in architecture and architectural history. Lucy sits on the NSW State Design Review Panel, the North Sydney Design Review Panel and the Hunters Hill Conservation Advisory Panel. Lucy also works in an advisory capacity to the NSW Government Architect NSW and has a range of experience working on significant urban design and transport projects for State and local Government.
Lucy has published and lectured on topics related to 19th and 20th century architecture, town planning and social history, held a teaching fellowship in art and architectural history at Columbia University and has taught studies in architectural design, technology and history at the University of Sydney and UTS. As a qualified horticulturalist, Lucy is also passionate about protecting heritage gardens, streetscapes and landscape settings.
Deirdre Hall, Board Director
Deirdre Hall has enjoyed a 30-year career in finance and banking, including commercial management leadership and transformational program delivery, with a particular focus on customer experience.
Passionate about Australian history and architecture, in 2018 Deirdre and her husband purchased, restored and developed a highly successful commercial strategy for the State Heritage listed Tanilba House in Port Stephens. Deidre brings both first-hand experience of adaptive reuse and business acumen to the National Trust.
Caroline Mackaness, Board Director
Caroline Mackaness is Director, NSW Government and her previous appointments include being a Committee Member, Hunters Hill Trust; and Member of the ANZAC House Trust. She is a sixth generation Sydney-sider who is passionate about Australian history, heritage and the natural environment.
Throughout her extensive career in NSW Government Caroline has been responsible for some of the state’s most significant heritage places, delivering government policy and programs focused on community outcomes, including the development, management and operation of heritage and cultural facilities, delivery of major cultural projects, capital works and governance.
Suzette Meade, Board Director
Suzette Meade is a passionate heritage advocate with career expertise in community engagement, strategic campaigning, and construction project management. A dedicated volunteer, she works to preserve and promote built and natural heritage through advocacy, education, and tourism. A strong voice for Greater Sydney, particularly Parramatta, Suzette also serves as Deputy Chair of the National Trust Parramatta Branch and the Heritage Advisory Committee for City of Parramatta, and Spokesperson for Alliance for Public Parklands.
Debbie Mills, CEO
Debbie Mills was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at the National Trust of Australia (NSW) in August 2017 following an extensive career as an executive leader at PwC and Caltex Australia. At Caltex Australia she took a lead role in the Climate Change team working on the strategy and implementation plan to ensure the business was ready to meet its obligations under any proposed and existing Climate Change legislation.
Prior to joining the National Trust (NSW), Debbie was the Executive Officer at Friends of the Botanic Gardens Inc. and became significantly involved in the merger of Friends with the Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation, and was appointed CEO of Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens Ltd in July 2012. This role gave Debbie exposure to many environment and heritage issues and importantly experience with members and volunteers.
Debbie is a Chartered Accountant and has also been on the Board of Directors of a charity that looks after re-homing lost and abandoned animals. She brings her passion for conservation of heritage, culture and the arts, the environment and animal welfare to her role.
Paul van Ratingen, Board Director
Through his 35 years of international architectural practice, Paul van Ratingen has led a diverse range of projects that have received global acclaim and been recognised at the highest level of international and national awards programs. Passionate about cities, communities, heritage, and responsible building, his projects include new master planned communities, the contemporary renewal of significant heritage buildings, and hotel, residential and workplace projects. Recent work includes the Anzac Memorial Centenary Project, White Bay Cruise Terminal and 33 Alfred Street.
Paul has recently retired as a Director of JPW Architects and continues a part time role within the practice. With a skill set that crosses architecture, design and heritage, he is passionate about the preservation and contemporary interpretation of our built and cultural heritage.
Barrina South, Board Director
Barrina South is a proud Paakantyi woman with over 20 years of experience working with communities across NSW on the promotion, celebration and management of heritage. Barrina is currently the Heritage NSW Manager, Repatriation and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Conservation, leading a geographically dispersed team across New South Wales in the repatriation of Aboriginal ancestral remains and the conservation of sites. She has extensive experience working in the museum industry, initially as the First Nations Curator at the Australian National Maritime Museum and later as the Collection Manager, Anthropology Collections at the Australian Museum, Sydney.
Barrina is a visual artist and poet who has exhibited both in Australia and overseas. Barrina has been a member of the National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards jury for a number of years
Bimbi Turner, Board Director
Joining the National Trust, as a member, in the early 1980s, Bimbi Turner has a long and inspiring history of volunteer work. Fundraising for Cooma Cottage before the official opening in 1988, she has given her time to charitable organisations.
In 2025 she was recognised for her dedication to community with an Australia Day Award. Maintaining a keen interest in heritage she intimately understands the non-profit sector and is driven by a commitment to making a difference.
Luton White, Board Director
Luton White is a legal professional with a strong accounting background and substantial experience in banking and financial services. Admitted to practice as a solicitor by the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia, Luton works predominantly in commercial law, corporations law, banking and finance, and commercial disputes and litigation.
His wide experience in banking, investment banking, and consultancy, has given Luton an intuitive understanding of business processes, security arrangements, compliance and regulation, securities law, market licensing and taxation. Luton is uniquely placed to identify commercial drivers and risks.
Luton has a keen personal interest in conservation and heritage and has been a member of the National Trust (NSW) Board since 2023.
