The Board
Chairman:
Associate Professor, Thomas Jobling
CEO:
Ms Liz Heliotis
Treasurer:
Mr Tony Pyman
Directors:
Ms Julie Toop
Professor Henry George Burger, AO FAA
Mr Tim O'Leary
Mr Chris Bulford
Mr Paul Ashworth
Prof Evan Simpson, FAA
Dr L Jane McNeilage
Prof Matthew Gillespie, PhD
Dr Geraldine Goss
Associate Professor, Thomas Jobling
As head of Gynaecological Oncology at Monash Medical Centre, Associate Professor Jobling was involved in setting up the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation in conjunction with Prince Henry's Institute for Medical Research. He was driven by two things in his quest to create the Foundation - his fascination with the biology of the cancer, and his work as a surgeon, where he faces the relentless task of treating women with the disease.
He hopes that by bringing together research scientists and surgeons dealing with the disease, the work being done by the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation will result in a screening test for early detection, and for those with the disease, complete remission.
Describing the unit, Dr Jobling explains, "The Gynaecological Oncology Unit is based at Moorabbin in Victoria. It embraces the philosophy of a multi-disciplinary approach to cancer medicine, involving consultation and management in close operation with medical oncology, radiation oncology and gynaecological cancer surgery.
"Our weekly clinic and Tumour Board meetings involve attendance by, and consultation with, radiation oncologists from Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute. We have evolved a close sense of common cause over a number of years, and firmly believe that this is in the best interests of our patients. The main thrust of our research aim is in conjunction with Prince Henry's Medical Research Institute, as it has a full-time Director and we have a well established ongoing ovarian cancer study group. There are a number of collaborative trials underway involving our colleagues at Peter MacCallum, as well as other groups."
Ms Liz Heliotis
The loss of close friends to ovarian cancer and concern for the future health of her two daughters motivated Liz Heliotis to create the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation with Associate Professor Tom Jobling.
Liz set about utilising her background as a paralegal and businesswoman to raise the profile of this often-fatal disease. Her focus was to directionally establish a stand-alone research facility that could prosper the long overdue early detection for this insidious disease. Her determined and professional approach to the corporate sector resulted in securing the National Australia Bank as founding partner, making the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation a reality. Liz is particularly proud of the fact that the Foundation is a business in its own right, with all money raised going directly to research.
Liz was instrumental in creating the highly successful Silver Ribbon Campaign. With the strong support and infrastructure of the NAB the Silver Ribbon Campaign has raised significant funds for this vital research. The formidable partnership between the OCRF and NAB has created an impact on the global stage in supporting women's health.
Liz had a vision to celebrate the journey of cancer as "living with cancer" rather than the negative message too often absorbed. She initiated and created a stunning black and white coffee table book called Exposure, supported by the amazing talents of photographer Jason Loucas and graphic design genius Paul Giorgilli. Since then Exposure has been supported by a CD Exposure featuring John Farnham, amongst other celebrated artists, and more recently a lip gloss Lip Exposure. Liz has forged a rewarding partnership with the stylish Witchery brand as exclusive retail partner for the Foundation. Witchery promotes the Ovarian Cancer Silver Ribbon in store, sold the CD Exposure and proudly sells lip gloss Lip Exposure. These initiatives continue to raise awareness and significant funds to prosper research.
We must celebrate the courage and dignity of the many women afflicted with this illness and promote the concept that cancer is a word, not a sentence, she says.
Mr Tony Pyman
Tony Pyman is a consultant to the legal firm Allens Arthur Robinson having recently retired as a partner after 39 years with the firm and 33 years as a partner. Over the years, Tony's practice has encompassed a wide range of areas including general commercial advice, drafting of contracts, corporate finance transactions, company floats, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate reconstructions, research and development syndications, research and development collaborations and commercialisation of technology.
Dr L Jane McNeilage
Dr Jane McNeilage, from January 2001-January 2004 held the position of the first National Australia Bank Ovarian Cancer Research Institute’s Research Fellow at the Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research. She currently holds the position of VMO, Gynaecology Oncology, Monash Medical Centre and VMO at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Department of Surgical Oncology, East Melbourne, Victoria.
Jane is an author/co-author of at least 47 articles in magazines, journals, etc from 1979 to date. She has received several awards throughout her career, the latest ones being the Australian Society of Gynaecologic Oncologists – Keith Free Memorial Prize for Young Investigator Presentation in 2002 and 2003 and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Brown Craig Travelling Fellowship in 2004.
Joining the Board in December 2006, she brings scientific knowledge in the area of gynaecology oncology and will assist the OCRF in any way possible in finding an early detection test for ovarian cancer. On a personal note, Jane’s outside interests include Music, Golf, Equestrian and Wine Appreciation.
Professor Henry George Burger, AO FAA
Henry Burger was director of Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research and Director of the Monash Medical Centre's Department of Endocrinology until 1998 and continues his active association with both organisations. He is currently an Honourary Professor of Medicine at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.
His particular area of interest is in reproductive endocrinology and he was closely involved in the work which led to the purification, cloning and knowledge of the physiology of the inhibins. Other recent research and clinical interest includes the management of menopause, infertility, hirsutism and male infertility, as well as the role of the inhibins in ovarian malignancy.
He has had a close involvement with the WHO special program in human reproduction and chaired the WHO scientific group on research into menopause in 1994. He is immediate past president of the International Menopause Society and is author or co-author of more than 450 publications.
Prizes and awards include the Eric Susman prize of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1975, in 1990 he was made an Honourary Fellow (Ad Eundem) of the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and in 1993 was elected to Honourary Membership of the Association of American Physicians. That year he was also awarded the Order of Australia (AO) for service to medical research, particularly in the field of endocrinology; in 1994 he was made a Fellow of the Australian Academy of science; in 1996 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London, and selected by the society for endocrinology, UK to receive the 1997 Dale Medal - their highest accolade - in recognition of outstanding studies, "which have changed our understanding of endocrinology in a fundamental way".
He received the Roche Diagnostics Award from the Association of Clinical Biochemists (UK) in May 1999, which recognises "a medical scientist of international standing whose work is of major importance to clinical biochemistry". In 1999 he received a doctorate (Honouris Causa) from the University of Liege, Belgium, and was given the US Endocrine Society's Distinguished Physician award at its annual meeting in San Diego in June. In 2000, he was awarded the North American Menopause Society's 2000 NAMS/Wyth Ayerst Perimenopause Research Award.
Mr Tim O'Leary
Tim holds an Honours Degree in Arts and a postgraduate qualification in Philosophy (Ethics) from the University of Melbourne.
Having joined Mobil Oil Australia as a graduate trainee in 1987, he progressed through a range of management roles in public affairs, government relations, industrial relations and human resources during 12 years in the oil industry.
In 1999 he joined the National Australia Bank as Head of Global Communications for the Products and Services Division. He was appointed Head of Communications and Change Management for the Shared Services Division in 2001 before assuming his current role as General Manager Corporate Affairs for the National's banking operations in Australia.
Tim is a member of the National's Australian Leadership Team and their Global Corporate Social Responsibility Council.
He is married to Catrina and they have five young children.
He is also a member of the Newman College Council at the University of Melbourne.
Mr Chris Bulford
Chris Bulford is the founder and Managing Director of Circ Consulting, a Melbourne-based Strategy and Marketing consultancy .
Chris has over 20 years' experience in Marketing with some of Australia's leading companies in both FMCG and Financial Services.
His career includes being Head of Marketing at both Masterfoods Petcare and National Australia Bank.Chris has an MBA from INSEAD and an MA from the University of Oxford.
Mr Paul Ashworth
Paul Ashworth is a partner in accounting firm Fordham, where he overseas the Investment Management division which delivers integrated wealth management to their clients with a focus on long term wealth accumalation. His particular expertise is building investment strategies that deliver consistent returns and avoid volatility.
"Ovarian cancer impacted on my life in the gravest sense a few years ago. As a result, I have a personal understanding of why an early detection marker needs to be developed. The Foundation's publication of the book, Exposure, makes us all aware that ovarian cancer selects from all age groups, hence the paramount importance of developing an early detection and diagnosis test.
The OCRF has a mission objective to promote research funding for the development of an early detection marker for ovarian cancer, and with its unparalleled understanding and dedication to this task, I am proud to support and assist the Foundation in achieving this vital goal."
Prof Evan Simpson, FAA
They were the first to show that tissue-specific regulation of this gene is mediated via alternative promoters which are expressed in a tissue-specific fashion. This is of great consequence because in men and in postmenopausal women, most of the oestrogen synthesised is in extragonadal sites such as breast, bone, brain, vascular smooth muscle etc., and because of the unique promoter structure, regulation of oestrogen biosynthesis in each of these sites is different, thus allowing for tissue-specific intervention by drug therapies e.g. in breast cancer treatment.
The lab was also the first to develop a mouse model of oestrogen insufficiency by targeted disruption of the aromatase gene. The various phenotypes which emerged are duplicated in human beings with natural mutations of the aromatase gene, and have led to new insights into the physiological and pathophysiological roles of oestrogen in both males and females.
Prof Simpson has published over 350 peer reviewed articles and invited reviews and book chapters. He is one of the four most cited scientists in Australia, in the field of Biochemistry and Cell Biology.
He has received numerous awards including the Trans-Atlantic Medal and the Asia and Oceania Medal from the UK Society for Endocrinology, and the President’s Scientific Achievement Award from the US Society for Gynecological Investigation.
Ms Julie Toop
Julie Toop, LLB Grad Dip NP, Head of Client Services, ANZ Trustees
Julie was admitted to legal practice in 1979 and has extensive experience as a lawyer in the areas of wills and estate planning, probate, trusts and property.
In the 10 years prior to joining ANZ Trustees in 2006, Julie was a Senior Private Client Lawyer with a top tier firm working principally with the firm’s high-value individuals and their families, and company executives.
In her role as Head of Estate Planning, Julie is responsible for leading the Senior Estate Planning lawyers nationally. Julie is also a Notary Public and a Council Member of the Society of Notaries of Victoria Inc.
Prof Matthew Gillespie, PhD
Prof Matthew Gillespie is Director of Prince Henry’s Institute since 2008, and was previously an Associate Director of St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research from 1999-2008.
He heads the Bone, Joint and Cancer Unit at Prince Henry’s Institute and this group has identified a number of new osteoclast inhibitors, and how T cell-derived cytokines impact upon the formation and resorption of bone. This has particular relevance for individuals with osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, their cancer research is focussed on actions of factors derived from cancers, and their relevance to facilitate cancer metastasis to bone.
Prof Matthew Gillespie has authored or co-authored over 130 publications.
Prof Matthew Gillespie is a Member of the Council and Science Advisory Committee of the Cancer Council of Victoria, and a Member of the Victorian Breast Cancer Research Consortium, a member of Research Committee of NHMRC Australia. He also is a Member of Board of Directors of the International Bone and Mineral Society, and a Member of Board of Directors the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society. He is on the editorial boards of Arthritis and Rheumatism, Bone, BoneKey, Endocrinology, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, and an advisor for the Journal of Oral Biosciences.
Dr Geraldine Goss
Geraldine graduated from the university of Melbourne in 1987. She undertook postgraduate training in oncology at the Royal Melbourne and Repatriation Hospitals and then completed a laboratory based MD thesis looking at the role of cytokines in breast cancer. She worked for 3 years in Boston Massachusetts where her focus was on women’s cancers and after her return to Melbourne she completed a Masters degree in Women’s Health at the University of Melbourne. She now works as a medical oncologist with a focus on caring for women with breast and gynaecological cancers.