Board & Structure
Structure of the Harbour Trust
The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust is an Australian Government agency within the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts portfolio. The structure of the Harbour Trust includes a governing board of trustees that guides the process of planning and implementing projects for the sites. The Executive Director manages the daily affairs of the Harbour Trust.
Harbour Trust Board
The Harbour Trust Board meets regularly to discuss issues relating to all the sites, including the planning process, maintenance of buildings and structures, and opening sites up to the public.
There are eight board members, including the Chair, two members nominated by the NSW Government, one member representing the interests of indigenous people and one member from a council area containing a Harbour Trust site.
Board Members
Chairman, Mr Kevin McCann AM
Mr McCann is a non-executive director of the Harbour Trust. He is also a non executive director of leading Australian listed companies. He is Chairman of Healthscope Limited and Origin Energy Limited, lead independent director of Macquarie Bank Limited and is director of Blue Scope Steel Limited. He is a member of the Council of the National Library of Australia. He practised in corporate and commercial law as a partner of Allens Arthur Robinson for 35 years and chairman of the firm for 10 years. Mr McCann holds a Masters of Law, Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts. He is experienced in finance and commercial matters.
Clr Susan Hoopmann Clr Hoopmann is a non-executive director. Clr Hoopmann is Popularly Elected Mayor of Hunters Hill, a company director and chairs numerous boards, committees and organisations with wide-ranging responsibilities such as traffic, conservation, planning and education. Clr Hoopmann chairs the seven Councils Insurance Pools (Metropool), is vice chair of the Northern Sydney region of Councils (NSROC) and is involved with various Local Government committees and charities. Clr Hoopmann is also a member of the Trust's Audit and Risk Management Committee.
Mr Peter Lowry OAM Mr Lowry is a non executive director, a law graduate and is chairman of a number of companies in urban planning and residential development, particularly in the restoration of heritage projects. His companies are also involved in the hospitality industry. He is a board member of the National Trust and the Planning Research Centre of the University of Sydney and is a member of the Planning Institute of Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Property Institute. He was a Reserve Army officer. Mr Lowry is Chair of the Trust's Audit and Risk Management Committee.
Dr John Moriarty AMDr Moriarty is a non-executive director. Dr Moriarty holds a Bachelor of Arts and was granted a Churchill Fellowship for overseas study on the history and culture of indigenous peoples. He is chairman and co-owner of Balarinji, the country's leading indigenous art and design studio. Dr Moriarty has been in executive positions in the Departments of Aboriginal Affairs for Commonwealth and state governments, and continues to hold board positions relating to indigenous issues. He was a member of the recent National Indigenous Council, an advisory body to the Commonwealth Government.
Brigadier Kevin O'Brien (ret) Brigadier O'Brien is a non-executive director who served at two of the Trust sites during his 30 years with the Australian Army. Brigadier O'Brien holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Arts, Military Studies. He has studied the military and defence history of Australia and assisted in the restoration of heritage defence sites. He has advised on, and edited a book about, the defence of Sydney Harbour during World War II. Brigadier O'Brien was a Member of the Interim Sydney Harbour Federation Trust for 2½ years. He is also the Chair of the Trust's Defence History Steering Committee, a member of the Trust's Audit and Risk Management Committee and the Members' representative on the Tender Review Committee
The Honourable Barry O'Keefe, AM QCThe Hon Barry O'Keefe is a non executive director. He is a lawyer and until recently was a Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW. He was a member of Mosman Council from 1968 until 1991, Mayor for ten of those years and President of the Local Government Association from 1986 until 1988. In 1993 he was appointed as Chief Judge of the Commercial Division and an Additional Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court. In 1994 he was appointed Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption for the maximum statutory term of five years, returning to judicial duties thereafter. Mr O'Keefe was President of the National Trust (NSW) for 15 years (1991-2006) and has extensive experience in heritage and environmental matters. He was a Member of the Interim Sydney Harbour Federation Trust for 2½ years before his appointment as a Trustee in 2001.
Mr Robert ConroyMr Conroy is a non-executive director, nominated by the NSW Government. Mr Conroy is Executive Director, Park Management Division, NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change. He holds a Master of Management, Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma in Environmental Studies. Mr Conroy is a Director of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute and of the Australasian Fire Authorities Council and is a member of the NSW Bush Fire Coordinating Committee. Mr Conroy has more than 30 years experience in managing protected areas.
Ms Diana TaltyMs Talty is a non-executive director, nominated by the NSW Government. Ms Talty has wide ranging experience in urban and waterfront development through her employment in the Office of the Federal Minister for Urban and Regional Development in 1970s, the NSW Department of Planning, the Darling Harbour Authority and now in the role of Executive Director, Major Projects for the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. Ms Talty holds a Bachelor of Arts. In 2002 she was awarded the NSW Government Public Service Medal in recognition of her contribution to the Darling Harbour project.
