About

The Q Australia Foundation supports projects to expand their impact. We strive to make lasting change. We champion science through our passion and advocacy. We nurture networks and connect with Australian communities to make a difference.

Vision

Advancing education and engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Australia.

Mission

The Q Australia Foundation supports projects with purpose. Through the generosity of our donors, we support meaningful science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities, delivered by Questacon, and others, to build STEM and enterprise skills in our future workforce.

Purpose

The Q Australia Foundation is unified by big ambitions to make a difference.

We drive lasting support to strengthen and expand the impact of science within the Australian community.

We do this by supporting smart and sustainable science, technology, engineering and mathematics opportunities with the backing of our networks and the expertise of Questacon. It is Questacon’s history of expertise that proves it is best placed to deliver quality programs that grow in value and impact.

Through the generosity of our donors we support innovative projects with growth potential.

Our work changes lives and directly contributes to Australia’s ability to produce future leaders and change makers.

Board Members

" It’s well known that if you want to succeed in life, you must surround yourself with good people. I’m surrounded by some of Australia’s greatest science pioneers on the Board of The Q Australia Foundation. The Foundation really couldn’t have a better group of people guiding it. "

Eddie Kutner AM

Chair

After a successful career as a chartered accountant, Eddie Kutner moved into property development, becoming a founding director of Central Equity. He is Executive Chairman of the Central Equity Group. Eddie has been a director of public companies in the resource area operating within Australia and internationally. He has participated in government round table discussions and forums. Eddie is also Founder and Chair of not-for-profit organisation Wonderment Walk Victoria (WWV). He established WWV to promote art, science and knowledge throughout both Melbourne and Victoria.

" As we rapidly move to a digital society The Q Australia Foundation provides a critical core structure to bring STEM awareness and joy to the whole of Australian society. "

Dr Gregory Clark AC FAA FTSE

Director

Dr Gregory J Clark is a world-renowned technologist, businessman and scientist, with extensive governance, corporate and commercial expertise on an international level with a distinguished technology related career. He most recently served as a director on the Board of The ANZ Banking Group which he stepped down from in November 2013 after 9 years of service.

During his career, Dr Clark held senior executive roles at IBM, News Corporation and Loral Space and Communications. At IBM he was a senior scientist in their Research Division in NY. At News Corporation he was President of Technology and on the Executive Committee with responsibility for all digital media creation and delivery. Dr Clark was responsible for News Corporation’s transformation of its media assets from an analogue platform into a digital platform for both program creation and delivery. He was COO at Loral Space and Communications, the world’s largest satellite manufacturer, with responsibility for all development, manufacturing, marketing and sales. Recently, Dr Clark was awarded the Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science.

" The Q Australia Foundation stands for inclusion, innovation and inspiration. We look forward to creating exciting opportunities for more Australians to be moved by science and to be engaged in science "

Leon Kempler AM

Director

Leon is involved in various business activities. His honorary roles include President of Museums Victoria; National Chairman of the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of the Advisory Council of Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre; Director of Wonderment Walk Victoria, Director of the General Sir John Monash Foundation; and Member of the Board of Directors of Israel Innovation Institute.

" It was one inspirational science teacher and one school excursion that set me on a path to a life in science. "

Professor Adrienne Clarke AC

Director

Adrienne Clarke is Emeritus Laureate Professor at the University of Melbourne. Her major research contributions are in understanding reproduction in plants, and protection of plants from attack by insects and fungi. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences (USA) and Foreign Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

She served as Chairman of the CSIRO Board (1991-1996), Lieutenant Governor of Victoria (1997-2000) , Founding Chair of VESKI (2003-2007), Chancellor of La Trobe University (2011–2017) and on various Government boards and committees. She has also served on the Boards of several public companies.

" An interest in scientific endeavour and knowledge of science is critical to national and business leadership. I am very pleased to be involved in The Q Australia Foundation. I look forward to working with my fellow Directors to tackle some of Australia’s biggest challenges that are best addressed through a scientific lens. "

John Ralph AC

Director

John Ralph had a distinguished career in business. He was CEO of CRA Ltd (now Rio Tinto Ltd), Chairman of the Commonwealth Bank, Deputy Chairman of Telstra and Director of BHP Billiton. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. He was President of the Business Council of Australia, National President of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and President of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

" I feel excited to be part of The Q Australia Foundation and look forward to working with all stakeholders in delivering the key objectives of the Foundation. "

Geoff Otto

Secretary

Geoff Otto is a Fellow of Governance Institute Australia and is a Certified Practising Accountant. He has over 36 years of professional experience and is a long standing member of the Central Equity Management Group.