Meet the Members of the Trust: Ann Sherry AO

Can you share a bit about your career journey and how you came to join the Harbour Trust? 

My career journey has been a long and winding road, spanning Victorian and federal government roles, to the banking sector and then into cruise tourism. These diverse experiences bring to the Harbour Trust a strong understanding of policy and government processes, commercial acumen and a deep commitment to championing Sydney Harbour as both a national asset and a world-class tourism destination, for Sydney and Australia.  

A personal passion of mine is supporting the recognition and storytelling of this unique landscape through a First Nations lens. When we elevate and honour these stories, we help both locals and visitors understand the deep cultural history woven into this remarkable environment. 

What did you study or train and how does this influence your role as a Member of the Trust? 

My studies have been quite varied, beginning with my early career as a radiographer, followed by a university degree in economics and politics, postgraduate qualifications in industrial relations, and several international executive management programs. 

All of this learning has shaped how I approach my work. Study has made me curious, and curiosity is what I now bring to the Trust. I’m constantly asking what else could or should we be doing? and why is it so? That mindset helps me explore new opportunities and challenge assumptions so we can keep improving and evolving. 

Are there any books, films or experiences that significantly influenced how you think about heritage and public spaces? 

I’m an avid reader, and my reading spans widely across both fiction and non-fiction. However, the greatest influence on my understanding of heritage has come from personal experience, specifically, the restoration and renovation of one of Sydney’s most iconic heritage homes, The Abbey in Annandale. I spent a decade living and breathing heritage as we worked on the house.

That experience taught me a great deal about the realities of heritage in a contemporary environment, the tension between preserving original character and modernising within existing footprints, the challenge of finding skilled trades who can work with complex heritage structures and the many passionate people who see themselves as custodians of heritage in Sydney. It also gave me firsthand experience navigating the regulations governing heritage properties.

I have since completed a similar restoration and renovation project in Brisbane. These experiences reinforced for me the immense value of keeping built elements of our history alive, relevant and vibrant. 

What has been the most defining moment of your career so far? 

Others are probably the best judge of that, but I can highlight 3 formative moments where I led meaningful change.

Introducing paid parental leave at Westpac in the mid 90’s. It was the first time a private company implemented paid leave and it had a domino effect that changed the landscape and opportunity for working women in Australia. It showed that companies who want to be employers of choice do need to have the courage to be bold and try change that were previously thought impossible. A great learning.

Establishing Jawun — corporate partnerships with Indigenous communities I helped create what is now Jawun, an organisation that connects private-sector expertise with Indigenous leadership across Australia. The model was simple but groundbreaking: companies second skilled employees to work on projects identified by communities. Westpac was a founding partner, and despite early challenges, the initiative has endured and continues to create meaningful impact more than 25 years later.

Driving the growth of cruise tourism in Australia. As CEO and later Chair of Carnival Australia, I led the push to position cruise tourism as a major driver of Australia’s tourism industry. We set an ambitious target in 2007 to reach one million passengers a year by 2015 and achieved it two years ahead of schedule. After reaching that milestone, we set the next growth wave: to double the industry again. The surge in cruise visitation boosted Australian ports, supported Pacific Island tourism economies through increased visitation and port investment, and opened new destinations previously inaccessible to travellers. 

What is your vision for the future of the Harbour Trust and its destinations? 

My vision for the Harbour Trust is to be bold. We have iconic locations that many do not even know about, and many see as inaccessible. Opening up access to locations is important for the value of the community broadly and for the Harbour Trust. Some of that will require more funding, some for us to be imaginative in how we lift access and some will require more commercial revenue to support. 

We also have locations like Cockatoo Island that have history in layers; First Nations, convict, industrial and maritime. There is enormous opportunity to bring these stories to life and to make these destinations truly accessible and engaging. If we do this well, we can create experiences that celebrate the uniqueness of Sydney Harbour and share a deeper understanding of the stories that shaped Australia. 

Which recent project or initiative by the Harbour Trust are you most proud of and why? 

I am excited by the plans to develop and open the slipway at Cockatoo Island as a harbour swimming and kayaking area. This initiative expands the Sydney Harbour’s role as a leisure destination and gives people even more reasons to visit Cockatoo Island. By creating new ways for people to interact with Cockatoo Island, we not only activate the space but also deepen community understanding of its history and heritage. This type of access and innovation demonstrates how we can honour the past while creating vibrant, contemporary experiences for visitors. 

What role does tourism play in what the Harbour Trust sets out to do? 

Tourism, both domestic and international, remains a significant opportunity for Harbour Trust places. Our destinations hold layered histories and stories that many people, including locals, know very little about. Tourism allows us to share these narratives, including the First Nations history and the stories of the first custodians of these places. 

International visitors are seeking experiences that are authentic and unique to a destination and we have that in spades. Domestic visitors are looking to connect with special places, to explore, discover and learn. 

We have extraordinary locations, compelling stories and a unique offering. Tourism gives us the platform to connect people to those experiences and deepen their understanding of Sydney and Australia. 

What advice would you give someone to start a career in heritage management or conservation today? 

Read history, visit heritage locations, both in Australia and around the world, and recognise that heritage is more than a built-environment challenge. It involves the natural environment, adaptive reuse and the art of storytelling. There are many ways to engage with heritage and many disciplines that can lead you to this work. 

Above all, cultivate curiosity. Whatever you study, curiosity, paired with a willingness to embrace challenge and change will open doors. If you’re passionate and inquisitive, heritage will find a way to meet you. 

The Members of the Trust are non-executive members appointed by the Minister for the Environment and Water. In accordance with the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001, this body consists of 8 members including the Chair as well as 2 members recommended by the NSW Government, one representing the interests of First Nations peoples and another who provides a local government perspective and experience. To see the full list of members, click here.