Governance

A coastal geomorphologist and veteran science communicator, Rob Gell has spent decades bridging scientific research and public understanding - first as one of Australia's few degree-qualified television weather presenters, then as an environmental campaigner, author and geography educator. As President of the RSV since 2021, he brings a commitment to independent science translation and community engagement that is central to Victoria's science society mission.

A biomedical researcher of international standing, Caroline McMillen trained at Oxford and Cambridge before building a distinguished career in Australian higher education, culminating as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle and Chief Scientist of South Australia. Her interdisciplinary leadership at the intersection of research, innovation and health policy brings exceptional strategic depth to the RSV's mission of advancing science for public benefit.

Peter Vaughan is a highly accomplished corporate and non-profit leader who brings over two decades of global financial expertise, disciplined governance, and strategic growth leadership to the Royal Society of Victoria. Having successfully served for more than 20 years as a Director and Treasurer for various environmental and community organizations, he combines sharp commercial acumen with a proven commitment to the not-for-profit sector.

An audit and assurance partner at William Buck, Jeffrey Luckins brings deep expertise in financial reporting, corporate governance and accountability across listed companies, private entities and not-for-profits. His concurrent role as Victorian State Council Chair of the Governance Institute of Australia - together with extensive thought leadership in auditing ethics and company secretarial practice - gives the RSV a secretary of uncommon governance rigour.

A clinical neuropsychologist and principal researcher (and Executive Director of Research, Social Gerontology) at the National Ageing Research Institute with honorary appointments at the University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Anita Goh is internationally recognised for award-winning research into dementia, cognitive health and knowledge translation in ageing and aged care. A Superstar of STEM alumna, former Vice-President of Science & Technology Australia, and current Board Member of Australian Association of Gerontology, she brings exceptional expertise in science communication, governance and evidence-based policy to the RSV Council.

A geographer and spatial scientist with multidisciplinary qualifications spanning applied science, land data management and computing, Blair Darragh holds fellowships with both the Royal Geographical Society and the Linnean Society - reflecting expertise that spans geospatial informatics, natural history and environmental science. His breadth across the physical and computational dimensions of geography brings distinctive analytical capability to the RSV's work at the science–policy interface.

Holding degrees from Cambridge, City University London and the University of Cambridge in archaeology, biological anthropology and science journalism, Djuke Veldhuis is Director of the Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges program at Monash University and a recognised global leader in science communication - having led FameLab across 23 countries in partnership with the British Council and NASA. Her combination of cross-disciplinary research and science engagement expertise directly advances the RSV's mission to connect science with society.

A leading global authority on artificial intelligence, data analytics and science-based innovation, Joanna Batstone spent over two decades in senior technical and executive roles at IBM's research and development laboratories before becoming inaugural Director of the Monash Data Futures Institute, pioneering the application of AI for social good. Elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, she brings world-class expertise in research commercialisation and technology governance to the RSV.

A chartered electrical engineer turned business transformation specialist, Richard Blundell has practiced across engineering, business strategy and consulting, and currently leads business consulting for Australia and New Zealand at Cognizant, a US based technology services company. Passionate about building a sustainable, science-informed economy in the digital era, he was appointed to the RSV Council to strengthen the links between Victoria's scientific expertise and the business and government sectors that need it most.

A leading sustainability and climate change advisor, Terence Jeyaretnam has spent more than three decades working at the intersection of business, policy and environmental stewardship, founding Australia’s first large-scale sustainability advisory firm, Net Balance, and later leading climate and sustainability services across the Asia-Pacific at EY. Now Executive Director of Foresight Consulting Group, he supports organisations to navigate climate risk, and broader sustainability challenges. As a Board Member of the AUASB and Associate Professor at Monash Business School, he brings a strong focus on governance, assurance and science-informed decision-making to his role with the Royal Society of Victoria.

A member of the founding family of Australasia's largest marketing and communications conglomerate, Tony Clemenger has built a diverse international career spanning advertising, investment banking, academia and consulting across Australia, China and Asia. As founder of Clemenger Consulting and leader of the National Indigenous Cultural Centre, he brings a rare combination of marketing acumen, cross-cultural expertise and philanthropic commitment to the RSV's mission of connecting science with the broader Victorian community.