The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation is committed to compliance, transparency, and excellence in not for profit governance. We also share an aspiration to be engaged and sensitive towards the needs and the self-determination of our constituency. As such, our organisation has determined to have a significant number of Indigenous members on our board of governance. Together we face the challenge of improving literacy and numeracy.
Board
Dr Anthony Cree OAM
CEO & Founder
Dr Anthony Cree established the foundation in 2003. The ALF was originally operated out of Ballarat, Victoria for local Indigenous students, but within a short period of time, he expanded the tutorials and mentoring to surrounding districts. Since 2003, the ALF has grown into a national organisation with many partners serving tens of thousands of individuals, family and community members right across Australia.
Dr Cree has held a range of administrative and lecturer positions over the last thirty years at a number of local and international universities. Dr Cree studied at Oxford University UK and Monash University in Australia. Dr Cree still maintains a lecturing and administrative position at Victoria University (Melbourne, Australia) and also a visiting fellowship at National Louis University in Chicago, USA. In 2000, Dr Cree was awarded the United Nations Volunteer Medal (for education) and in 2003, he was awarded membership of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his outstanding work with the Victoria Day Council, and the advancement of Victoria.
Dr Cree is a dedicated educationalist with strong international connections and since 2010, he has been Chair of the World Literacy Council, which is dedicated to improving literacy skills in developing countries.
David Alexander-Fleming, JP
Chair
David is a retired career federal public servant and has served on the board since 2014 before assuming the chair in 2016.
He brings a wealth of experience in governance and a passion for reading which he picked up from the nightly family storytime before bed. The book Children of the Dark People by Frank Dalby Davison left an indelible mark on him that still drives him today; to strive for the opportunity that he received to read be made available to all children.
David is also the president of a first aid charity and has served as an officer of cadets with the Australian Army Cadets for over twenty years.
Andrew MacKinnon
Assistant Chair
Andrew MacKinnon comes from a legal background and has a long commitment to Aboriginal literacy.
Duncan Buchanon
Treasurer
Duncan is an academic with strong interests in marketing and fund raising. Duncan has shown strong commitment to Aboriginal issues and plays an important role in the fund raising and marketing areas.
Mr John Campbell
John is another foundation member of the ALF Board. An experienced and successful businessman with extensive connections to the telecommunications Industry, John brings business and treasury acumen to the board.
John resides with his family in Melbourne.
George Zindilis, LLB
Secretary and Public Officer
George is a solicitor of long standing with wide experience in charities and not-for-profit organisations, he has been a dedicated supporter of the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation for more than 10 years.
Mr Norman Kennedy
Consultant to the Board
Norman Kennedy joined the ALF board in 2010.
Notwithstanding Norman’s relatively new status with the ALF, Norman has fitted in well with the board and the ALF. He brings extensive government and policy knowledge to the foundation, and as a senior public servant (with the Department of Premier & Cabinet with The Victorian State Government) he also brings enormous and valuable contacts with him.
In past years Norman also served as a Mayor of Glen Eira (Victoria). In this capacity Norman allows us excellent insights into local government and compliance.
Norman lives in Melbourne with his wife, Jane.
Mr Peter Ma
Director
Peter Ma is another new executive to the foundation. Peter was elected to the board in 2012.
Peter is a successful global executive with strong connections in Melbourne AUST and also in Macau CHINA. Peter has extensive interests in education and migration across the Asia Pacific area, and operated a large consultancy in that sector for many years. Peter is committed to education, literacy and philanthropy. Peter brings extensive business and philanthropic connections to the board.
Peter was educated in England UK and was awarded a masters degree at Oxford University UK.
An Australian citizen, Peter spends his time with family and business between Macau and Melbourne.
Ms Jillian Thompson
Director
Jill Thompson is an inaugural member of the foundation. Jill is a retired senior nurse and educationalist. Having worked with Dr Tony Cree for many years in education, Jill was invited onto the board in 2003.
Jill provides the board excellent and valuable insights in primary education and as well as medical compliance.
Advisory Council
Anne Patmore
Anne Cooper is an inaugural member of our Advisory board. A Yorta Yorta Elder, Anne is a proud grandmother and mother to a number of our first students. Since those early days, Anne still provides wonderful tutorial and mentoring support at our regular tutorials and homework clubs, and also at our Literacy & Heritage Camps. Anne is also one of leading advisor on Cultural Understandings and Engagement.
Pauline Johnson
A former teacher and active participant with our Literacy & Heritage Camps, Pauline continues to be a leading mentor and tutor with our programs. We are hoping that Pauline will soon head up our Western District Literacy Support Program (TBC).
Sue Bacon
Sue Bacon is a leading member of our advisory council and was lead coordinator of our Bacchus Marsh program. Sue’s dedication to the education and care of our her children and grandchildren was the prime motivator for her connection our foundation.
Sue maintains a weekly pro bono role with the foundation coordinating the very successful Darley and Bacchus Marsh Homework & Mentoring Club. Started in 2014 it has grown and prospered, and a great deal of it being owed to Sue.
Adam Cooper
The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation wishes to record its thanks and appreciation to all its officers and staff. In particular, this year we wish to record a special thank you to community leader and Yorta Yorta elder, Anne Cooper. Anne’s long-term commitment to our organisation over the last fifteen years has been very valuable. Her support and guidance has always been and continues to be an inspiration to our organisation and to our work.