Board and Governance

Dr Joe Verco AM was the first graduate in the specialty of Paediatric Dentistry from The University of Adelaide and the only dentist to be awarded a Baillieu Medical Research Grant for postgraduate work.

Dr Verco is currently on the Editorial Board of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, an international honours organisation, and has been a Past-President of the Australian Dental Association (S.A. Branch), Australian Society of Dentistry for Children (Federal and SA Branch), the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry (S.A. Branch) as well as the Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry. He has also enjoyed an ambassadorial role on the People to People Programme hosted by Past Presidents of the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry in Russia, China, and South Africa – an initiative of USA President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In 2013 as part of the Dental Action Group Dr Verco helped to negotiate for a new Dental School and Dental Hospital within the University of Adelaide’s new Health and Biomedical Precinct of Adelaide, and gifted funds to establish a Harvard-style 90 seat lecture theatre within University’s new Health and Medical Sciences building.

Also a Life Member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, Distinguished Service Award: the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry and Life Member National Trust of Australia.

For the last 23 years MaryLou Bishop has run a surgical devices company selling highly technical operating room equipment into our largest hospitals across SA, WA and NT. MaryLou has a strong understanding of the medical world and the health industry. In 2014 MaryLou was elected a councillor to The Town of Walkerville. She joined The Hospital Research Foundation Board in 2014.

Anthony has been in the antique and art business his entire life. He is the owner of Tusmore Antiques and various consultancies. He is also a Partner in Giordano & Partners, Adelaide. Through his own business and consultancies Anthony provides advice to both the Federal and State governments, corporate and private clients.

Paul is an experienced, innovative, and entrepreneurial Board Director and Chief Executive who has earned a stellar reputation for impact during a distinguished career in both the Finance and not-for-profit sectors.

Paul has received several awards and acknowledgements for his outstanding contributions to the Banking and Investment Industry, as well as the field of social entrepreneurship and not-for-profit organisations.

He was awarded a Senior Fellowship at the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, which recognises his exceptional achievements in the industry. Additionally, he was named the Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year in South Australia/Northern Territory for his innovative work in the field of social entrepreneurship. Moreover, he received the Equity Trustees Australian Not-for-Profit CEO Award for Innovation, which acknowledges his contributions to the growth and development of not-for-profit organisations. Finally, Paul was also awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the University of South Australia in recognition of his exceptional work and contributions to the community.

Paul is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and currently holds positions as a Non-Executive Director BiomeBank Pty Ltd, Director of Military and Emergency Services Health Australia, and a Governor of Pulteney Grammar School.

Paul is Chief Executive Officer of The Hospital Research Foundation Group and of its Australian affiliates: Military and Emergency Services Health Australia; Australian Breast Cancer Research; Kidney, Transplant and Diabetes Research Australia; Australian Prostate Cancer Society Ltd; The Centre for Creative Health; THRF Group – Stroke; THRF Group- Parkinson’s; Parkinson’s ACT Inc, THRF Group Palliative Care, Arthritis Foundation SA, and Australian Heart Research.

Pamela Martin has considerable experience as a legal practitioner in both the public and private sectors and as a lecturer and tutor in legal disciplines in South Australia. In 1997 she was appointed to the Commercial Counsel, Commercial Advice for the Department of Premier and Cabinet, a position she held for 16 years.

Pamela consults across a wide range of areas of government and private sector activity offering specialist advice, mediation and negotiation skills on commercial matters including major infrastructure, building and construction industry, Public Private Partnerships, commercial law, statutory indentures, contracts and agreements between all levels of government and the private sector. She also provides services across sectors including alternative water/energy technologies, environment including coastal conditions and mineral resources and processing, housing and urban development, Commonwealth – State financial relations and liaison with the Commonwealth Government.

Pamela has held many Board positions including twelve years on Council at the University of Adelaide (four years as Deputy Chancellor). She is currently a Member of the Remuneration Tribunal, Chair of the Walford Anglican School for Girls Council, Deputy Chair of the South Australian Museum Foundation, Chair of the Attorney-General’s Department, Audit & Risk Management Committee and a Member of the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Risk Management and Audit Committee.

Nicholas Linke is a Senior Partner with legal firm Dentons Fisher Jeffries. He is an experienced litigator with over 25 years’ experience in legal practice specialising in insurance, employment and safety in the Commonwealth and State Employment Tribunals, the Supreme and District Courts of South Australia and the Federal Courts.

Nicholas has been appointed to the Adelaide Law School Advisory Board, and the Board of the May Gibbs Childrens’ Literature Foundation. With a special interest in the arts, Nicholas is also Chair of the Restless Dance Theatre Inc., Deputy Chair of the Australian Central School of Art Inc. and on the Board of the Adelaide Fringe.

Cook, teacher, entrepreneur, author, radio personality – flamboyant foodie Rilka Warbanoff is all of these and more. Rilka is also well known for her contribution to the community, serving on many boards and advising NFP on fundraising, corporate governance structure and people.

Rilka started her career in the family business, winning the South Australian Tourism Award in 1982. She later established an executive placement business, acting as a global corporate head-hunter and twice being named a finalist in the prestigious Telstra Business Woman of the Year Awards. From the age of 16, Rilka has been involved in the community and has had a diverse set of interests from multiculturalism through to medical research, international aid and tourism.

As the Director of the AICC in South Australia she has led many trade missions to Israel and has been instrumental in fostering relationship between government and business in both countries.

Rilka has had extensive board experience, sitting on the THRF Group – Creative Health Board of Governors, and the Boards of Camp Quality, Food Share, Enterprise Victoria and Museum Victoria.

Helen graduated BDS Adelaide in 1979 and MDS Adelaide 1985. She was elected as a member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in the special field of Orthodontics in 2008. Having worked in private and public dental sectors for over 40 years Helen has taken on various roles within SA Health, the University of Adelaide, the Australian Dental Association (ADA), and the Australian Society of Orthodontists.

At the age of 32, Helen was elected as the ADA SA Branch President and subsequently has served as Chairman on numerous State and Federal ADA Committees. She was a Director on the South Australian Dental Service Board for eight years and Chairman of the Board of Management for the Adelaide University Dental Research and Education Fund for six years.

Helen holds the title of Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at Adelaide University and has been involved with undergraduate and post-graduate teaching since the early 1980s

With a passion for helping others, over the last ten years Helen has travelled annually to Vietnam to provide dental treatment in the Ba Ria Vung Tau Province and during the last eight years she has actively fundraised to support the University of Adelaide Community Outreach Clinic, a clinic providing free dental treatment for people who cannot access dental care due to homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction or as new refugees.

Helen was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2020 Australia Day Honours in recognition of her significant service to dentistry and to professional associations.

Sarah is an art educator and professional artist with over 20 years’ experience. She is recognised for her richly textured and evocative oil paintings and has exhibited her work both nationally and internationally.

Sarah has been teaching art for over 20 years, commencing her teaching career in London. After returning to Australia, she taught art in the Senior School at St Peter’s College (Boys) for 10 years. For the last 13 years Sarah has operated her own private Art School. Sarah also has extensive curatorial experience.

In her former career Jodie held administration leadership roles in several International Airlines.  Over the last 15 years Jodie has specialised in supporting those early learners who find learning more difficult. She has studied Children with Learning Needs and Inclusive Education (Adelaide University).  Jodie has served on school boards and been a coach and mentor to young children in sport and school.

Through her work and professional learning, Jodie has always sought to provide useful and beneficial strategies and guidance to young people on their educational and personal journey. She believes no one can pursue their goals be that in education, work, rehabilitation or personal happiness if they are not in a mental position to do so.

Jodie suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in 2020 via a car accident and her healing continues today. She benefitted immensely from the services offered by The Hospital Research Foundation Group – Creative Health during her recovery.  She is proud to provide a lived experience perspective to the board, whereby she advocates the benefits of adjunct therapies such as arts and crafts. She reflects on how the important work of the specialists and volunteers at the Mule Shed at Hampstead were critical to her healing. The various arts therapy centres, operated and funded by The Hospital Research Foundation Group – Creative Health, have provided such invaluable support to so many.

Jodie is proud to work with this talented board and for such an outstanding organisation.   Jodie brings both professional experience and a recent lived experience perspective thereby providing a window into the lives and rehabilitation of those people the board seeks to serve.