04-06-2024

Leadership is the essence of what the General Sir John Monash Foundation sets out to achieve, in the selection of Scholars, in supporting their career journeys and in creating communities of influence. It is why the John Monash Leadership Series, launched in May, is such an important initiative. It is uniting the Foundation’s many supporters around the theme of what effective leadership means in the 21st Century. With each event Introduced via video by the Hon. Julia Gillard AC, the series has so far featured Andrew N. Liveris AO in Brisbane and Her Excellency the Hon. Frances Adamson AC in Adelaide on stage speaking candidly about what they have learnt about leadership. Hats off to interviewers Jillian Kilby and Tom Williams, who have both put the ABC on notice that great on-camera interviewers are found beyond the national broadcaster. Today we celebrate the Scholars’ achievements, along with the achievements of other Scholars. And to top off the newsletter, we introduce a new short section, John Monash: Did You Know?, compiled by inaugural CEO Ken Crompton – a simple reminder of the iconic Australian leader whose deeds we admire so much. 

Paul Ramadge 
Chief Executive Officer  

John Monash Leadership Series

The Leadership Series has officially launched and is now in full swing with the first two successful nights held in Brisbane and Adelaide. Both of our guest speakers have shared candid stories with audiences and left a memorable impression on what leadership means for contemporary Australia.

Andrew N. Liveris AO, President of the Board of the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, has given candid and inspirational advice on leadership during the first of five national John Monash Leadership Series events, held on May 15 at The University of Queensland. Interviewed by 2013 BHP John Monash Scholar Jillian Kilby, Andrew shared some of the most pivotal challenges of his career, and the decisions that helped him to overcome them.  

Reflecting on his experiences in his early life, Andrew discussed how his background helped shape him into the leader he is today. 

"My upbringing made me later realize that everyone should have a seat at the table. No one should be excluded based on where they were born or where they were educated. Growing up in a multicultural world, which is Northern Territory and Darwin, was amazing and really gave me that opportunity to excel.” 

Motivated by opportunities for radical innovation and change, Andrew holds a firm belief in the necessity of discomfort for enabling growth.   

“Embrace reality in crises or, if there's not a crisis, create one.” 

You can listen to the conversation on our latest podcast episode: Episode 73 - Andrew N. Liveris AO (johnmonash.com) 

After completing her powerful interview with Andrew N. Liveris AO, we asked Jillian what she had learned from the experience.  

Andrew Liveris’s wisdom from four decades of global leadership experience provides a powerful guide for aspiring leaders. I walked away from our interview with several concepts I would like to use in my own leadership journey.   

There was a moment after the event when a guest reflected on how rare it was to hear a leader speak so openly about the reality of leadership, including how alone leaders may feel. That statement cut to the core of the interview – it was raw, candid and real. For example, Andrew recalled an instance when, having just delivered his first board meeting as CEO of Dow, everyone had left the room. He remembers thinking, as he sat there by himself, that this was how he would likely spend his leadership – alone. I related to that moment; I really did. As leaders, there are times when we will feel isolated. Now, Andrew is the person who picks up the phone to call those in his sphere who may be feeling alone, a small but powerful and compassionate act that I aspire to reflect in my own leadership approach.    

Another key insight I took away was the concept of inclusive capitalism, a movement aimed at addressing capitalist systems’ growing inequality. Inclusive capitalism, by reframing incentivisation frameworks, seeks to create sustainable value that benefits all stakeholders, including businesses, investors, employees, customers, governments, communities and the planet.  

This concept is core to the learnings at the Liveris Academy and, as recently as today, has impacted my perspective on how a business can take greater accountability and generate public value. 

The second event in the John Monash Leadership Series, held at Flinders University’s sparkling CBD campus, took place on Tuesday May 28 to a full room of South Australian supporters, students, academics and sponsors. Esteemed national leader Her Excellency the Hon. Frances Adamson AC, the 36th Governor of South Australia, shed light on how people can better lead with purpose, compassion and integrity during a compelling interview that included a mixture of both personal and professional insights.  

Her Excellency reflected on how her leadership style has developed and adapted to enable more meaningful communication across various high-pressure environments, and how she navigates her career by focusing on impact as her guiding objective.  

“I do spend time thinking about impact. It's worth building time in to stop weekly, monthly, yearly and think about what you want that to be.”  

By incorporating a reflective and collaborative working style, Her Excellency embraces adaptability and open-mindedness as her strengths.  

“Listening is such an important skill for a leader. Having an open mind about things in light of what you hear is important.” 

The Foundation was warmly welcomed by our South Australian Patron Her Excellency the Hon. Frances Adamson AC on May 30 for a morning tea, celebrating our 20 years of awarding scholarships. Guests included distinguished university partners, representatives from the State Government and our South Australian Scholars. 

Stewart Gill, Master at Queen’s College at the University of Melbourne, has arranged for a John Monash Scholars Honour Board to be made for the college. Scholars Nick Felstead (2024 Victorian Government John Monash Scholar) and Georgina Ryan (2024 Commonwealth Bank John Monash Scholar) have welcomed the board at its inauguration. 

Their names follow Queen’s College alumni Dr Sarah Milne (2005 John Monash Scholar), Andrew Hudson (2005 John Monash Scholar) and Dr Kate Smith (2013 Origin Foundation John Monash Scholar). It was a proud moment for the College and its impressive alumni. 

“We’d love to see more of these honour boards going up at partner universities across the country,” says Foundation CEO Paul Ramadge. “They are such a fitting way to recognise the extraordinary leadership of Australians.”

On May 20, Catherine West MP, UK Shadow Foreign Minister for Asia and the Pacific, generously hosted a group of John Monash Scholars for a tour of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster. Scholars included Jeccica Coldrey (2021 Victorian Government John Monash Scholar), Tomas Robertson (2023 Tim Fischer John Monash Scholar), Nicholas Duddy (2020 Tim Fairfax AC John Monash Scholar), Lieutenant Matthew Newman (2022 Zelman Cowen John Monash Scholar), Dr Isabel Hanson (2022 BHP John Monash Scholar), Hugh Utting (2019 Ian Potter Foundation John Monash Scholar) and Dustin Barter (2019 Australian Universities' John Monash Scholar).   

“One key takeaway for me was the critical role of citizen engagement in governance. Whether through roles in community projects, sports teams or housing associations, active community participation helps ensure that fair and equitable standards are maintained,” says Jessica.   

“While the scale of involvement or influence may vary, the underlying principles of inclusivity and equity should always be upheld.”