About the Brain Foundation

Mission
History
Governance
New South Wales
Victoria
Tasmania
National Board of Directors
Executive Staff

Mission

The Brain Foundation was established in 1970 by members of the Australian Association of Neurologists and the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia to reduce the incidence and impact of disorders of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system through the provision of support, community education and research.

History

The Brain Foundation was established as the Australian Neurological Foundation in 1970.  The Founding President was Lord Casey and Vice-President Sir Leslie Herron.  The Executive Committee comprised of Dr J Game, Professor KC Bradley, Mr A Mellor (Hon. Sec.), Mr R Chancellor (Hon. Treas.) and Mr F Dethridge (Hon. Legal Adv.).  The Foundation was incorporated on 13 May 1970.  1980 saw a name change to the Australian Brain Foundation and 1997 a further name change to the Brain Foundation. 

The inaugural meeting of the Foundation was held in Canberra on 16 May 1970 and thereafter in Sydney or Melbourne.  The National Office was established in Melbourne in 1977. The National Office was relocated to Sydney in 1997. 

A National Scientific Advisory Committee was established in 1976 and a National Finance Advisory Committee in 1977.  The first Executive Director was appointed in 1977.  The National focus in the founding years was a major public appeal, funding of research grants, support services such as the National Stroke Project, and community education programs such as a National Symposium on Head Injuries.

Governance

The Foundation has Members who are the same as shareholders in an ordinary company, which means that they can meet and pass resolutions in general meetings that would override decisions of Directors, however Directors have responsibility for the day-to-day management.  The Directors originally proposed that 200 Members be registered and in 1977 increased that figure to 1000.  The Members comprise the original subscribers; such other persons, companies or corporations as shall be admitted by the Directors; and elected honorary Life Members. 

The National Board of Directors comprises a President, two Vice-Presidents (one medical, one lay), a Secretary, a Treasurer, a representative from both the ANZAN and NSA, and up to 13 other directors ensuring at least one representative of each state.  The Directors are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.

Brain Foundation New South Wales

Brain Foundation New South Wales developed from the appointment of Dr George Selby (AAN), Sir Douglas Miller (NSA) and Mr Donald Mackay as NSW Trustees for the Australian Neurological Foundation (ANF) Trust Fund in 1974.  A NSW Appeals Committee was established with Sir Douglas Miller as President for the $5 million Major National Public Appeal 1976-1980.  In 1980 the ANF NSW Appeals Committee became the Australian Brain Foundation (ABF) NSW Committee.  In 1995, ABF New South Wales was incorporated as a public company limited by guarantee.  1997 saw the name change to Brain Foundation NSW and co-existence with the National Body began following the relocation from Victoria.  The foci of Brain Foundation NSW has consistently been fundraising, funding research grants and the provision of community education programs and support services.

Brain Foundation Victoria

Brain Foundation Victoria developed and participated in the early establishment of the Brain Foundation.  In 1979, a group of neurologist and business people sought to set up a Chair of Neurology with seeding grant from the Van Cleef Foundation.  This was in response to the need identified, some through personal experience of stroke, for support services to be available after discharge from hospital and that education about controlling risk factors to prevent a secondary attack also be provided.  Victoria has passed its government sponsored carer and ABI programmes to a new, independent organisation known as "Brainlink." All the former staff of the Brain Foundation Victoria have moved to that organisation and the Brain Foundation has resumed its focus upon raising funds for clinical, neuroscientific research.  The Foundation's Victorian office is now at Monash University.

Brain Foundation Tasmania

Brain Foundation Tasmania is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee.  The Board of Directors includes medical practitioners and laypersons.  The service objectives of the Brain Foundation Tasmania are to support neurological research, to provide stroke and migraine information and support programs, to encourage independent living and decrease the isolation experienced by those affected through the Volunteer Support Scheme and to complement and bridge gaps in existing rehabilitation and support services.

National Board of Directors

Professor Philip Thompson, President,    Adelaide
Professor Max Bennett AO, Director,    Sydney
Dr William Carroll, Director representing Western Australia 
Professor Geoff Donnan, Director,    Melbourne
Professor Nick W Dorsch, Director representing Neurosurgical Society of Australasia, Sydney
Ms Julia Dunstone, Adelaide 
Mr Tony Grey, Director,    Sydney
Professor Michael Halmagyi, Vice President (Medical) representing the Australian and New Zealand  Association of Neurologists,    Sydney
Professor Matthew Kiernan, Director, Sydney
Mr Bill Kuchta, Director and Honorary Treasurer/Secretary,    Sydney
Lady Sonia McMahon, Director,    Sydney
Professor Pamela McCombe, Director representing Queensland,    Brisbane
Mr David Richardson, Sydney
Associate Professor Stephen Robinson, Director, Melbourne
Professor Dominic Rowe, Director,    Sydney
Professor Marcus Stoodley, Director,    Sydney
Professor Elsdon Storey,  Melbourne

Executive Staff

Gerald Edmunds, Chief Executive Officer
Lisa Taplin, Manager, South Australia
Connie Digolis,  Manager, Tasmania
Mike Price, Financial Controller National/NSW

Telephone:         1300 886 660