Our Patron

Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of NSW

Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, AC CVO was appointed the State’s first female governor in 2001 and in 2011 her appointment was extended until 2015.

Born in Narrandera, NSW, she completed the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine (MB) and Bachelor of Surgery (BS) in 1956 at the University of Sydney, and worked as the Resident Medical Officer of St Vincent's Hospital and of the Children's Hospital.

After completion of her post-graduate studies in psychiatry, she was appointed to establish the Rivendell Child, Adolescent and Family Service to provide comprehensive specialist consultative services for young people with emotional and psychiatric problems. Her key interests have included child and adolescent depression, mental health issues affecting refugee and immigrant children, juvenile justice and Aboriginal health. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. In 1993, she was appointed Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Sydney, and in 1994 the Clinical Director of Mental Health Services for the Central Sydney Area.

Her Excellency is married to the former Lord Mayor of Sydney (and former Wallaby Captain), Sir Nicholas Shehadie.

Our Vice-Patron

The Hon. Jillian Skinner MP, Minister for Health, Minister for Medical Research

Mrs Skinner was first elected as the Member for North Shore in February 1994 and has been re-elected at four subsequent elections.

She has more experience in the health field than any other politician in Australia, having first been appointed Shadow Minister for Health in 1995. She has also held the Shadow portfolios of Education and Training, and Youth Affairs and Arts.

Mrs Skinner began her career as a journalist in Melbourne. She was the first woman journalist on the Victorian Parliamentary Press Gallery and she has also worked in Adelaide, Sydney and South East Asia and has spent a number of years living in the United States.

She has operated her own editorial, strategic planning and marketing consultancy and has also been actively involved in community issues and organisations for many years.

Prior to her election, Mrs Skinner was the Director of the New South Wales Office of Youth Affairs and she has served on a number of bodies such as the New South Wales Women’s Advisory Council and the New South Wales Youth Advisory Council.

Mrs Skinner has been a staunch supporter of Taldumande for over 15 years and her continued encouragement and interest has been unwavering.

Our Ambassador

Jean Kittson. Performer, writer and comedian

A multi-talented performer and writer, Jean Kittson is one of Australia's best known comedians, entertaining and amusing audiences in theatre and print, on radio and television.

Jean agreed to take on the role of Taldumande’s first ever Ambassador in 2011. The wellbeing of our youth is something that is close to her heart. Jean is committed to helping organisations which assist young people and their families. She acknowledges that although the opportunities for the younger generation are enormous, there are some who need assistance to take advantage of them and to take their place in the world. As a society, we owe it to our young people to provide this support and care, particularly in times of crisis.