About us
Parkinson’s Australia Board
Professor George Mellick
Director & ChairProfessor George Mellick
George is an interdisciplinary scientist who works on all aspects of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. He is the Deputy Director of the Eskitis Institute, Griffith University and holds adjunct positions at the University of Queensland, RBWH and Princess Alexandra Hospital.
George has authored over 100 research publications including articles in the Lancet, JAMA, Lancet Neurology and Annals of Neurology.
He is also an advocate for people affected by Parkinson’s disease and serves as the President of Parkinson’s Queensland.
Dr Moira Watson PhD, FAICD, FAIM, FGIA
Director & Vice ChairDr Moira Watson PhD, FAICD, FAIM, FGIA
Moira is an experienced company Chair and Director on a range of Boards with a background as a senior leader in ASX listed companies and as an executive director in government.
Moira has a PhD in business management and is a graduate and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Moira is also Chair of Chorus Australia, Chair of Diabetes WA, a Councillor with HBF, a Director with Diabetes Australia, and a Director with Diabetes Australia Research Limited.
Steve Ferguson
DirectorSteve Ferguson
Steve is a Chartered Accountant and was a partner with Ernst & Young for over 25 years leaving in late 2018. Steve was the Financial Services Accounts Leader for EY in Asia Pacific and as an assurance partner has led the audit of a number of large Australian multinational listed companies.
He is a graduate of the Company Directors Course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Marcia Kimball
DirectorMarcia Kimball
Marcia’s husband, John, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s some 16 years ago.
She has over 35 years of experience in corporate and senior executive roles and was the former Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Australian Trade and Investment Commission. As the COO, Marcia had responsibility for providing the Australian Trade and Investment Commission globally across a broad spectrum of corporate services. These services encompassed Finance, IT, HR, Legal, Property and Procurement. Marcia has a Bachelor of Education, a Graduate Diploma as a Resource Educator and Masters’ level qualifications in Financial Management from the Australian National University. Marcia is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Director of The Hospital Research Foundation Group – Parkinson’s ACT and Chair of their Board of Governors.
John McDonald
DirectorJohn McDonald
John’s initial education and working life was as a Civil Engineer. Subsequently he held various managerial roles both in Australia and overseas.
John has been a member of the Parkinson’s Western Australia Board for a number of years and is currently President of that organisation. His late wife had Parkinson’s for over 30 years.
Craig James
DirectorCraig James
Parkinson’s Australia is proud to welcome Craig James, Director, Parkinson’s Australia Board. Craig has worked in the financial sector for over 40 years, interpreting ‘big picture’ economic and financial trends. Known for producing innovative, ‘user-friendly’ reports, Craig has devised innovative concepts such as research on the weather and demographic changes to show how they affect the economy.
As well as providing economic presentations and reports on financial and economic trends, Craig has appeared regularly in the electronic and print media. Since retiring from the position of Chief Economist, CommSec, Craig now plans to deliver speeches and write ad hoc reports on the economy.
Craig holds both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Commerce (Economics). He has worked in banking, finance and journalism for 44 years including roles with Rural Bank NSW, State Bank NSW, Colonial, CommSec, and the Australian Financial Review. He was appointed Adjunct Professor at Perth’s Curtin Business School in 2012.
Outside work, Craig’s main interests are powerlifting and athletics (sprints) and trying to keep up with his wife, three children and two miniature schnauzers.
Sally Macdonald
DirectorSally Macdonald
Sally is a Sydney-based CEO, strategic advisor and investor with experience in retail, fashion, online and biotechnology. She chairs Carla Zampatti, the much-loved Australian women’s apparel business, serves as a non-executive director at Symbyx Biome, and advises early-stage consumer businesses. Previously, Sally was CEO of Oroton Group (2006-2013), overseeing a turnaround of the then-listed group which included Oroton and Ralph Lauren Australia and NZ. Sally was also CEO of Big W department stores in 2016 and her early career was as a management consultant at BCG in Melbourne and New York. Sally holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.Commerce from the University of Melbourne, where she received an Alumni of Distinction award in 2010. Sally has a personal connection to Parkinson’s through her Father and Grandfather.
Jen Harkness
DirectorJen Harkness
Jen was diagnosed in 2014, with Young Onset Parkinson’s at age of 48. Jen has spent the past 24 years working in the Public Service, with the last 16 years prominently in the international field, working within the Pacific Region as a program manager.
Since her diagnosis she has worked tirelessly advocating and raising awareness for Parkinson’s with a particular passion for those with young onset Parkinson’s. She continues to dedicate her volunteer time to improve support and resources for people and families living with Parkinson’s.
Previously Jen was a member of the Committee for Parkinson’s ACT and then sat on the Board of Governors for The Hospital Research Foundation – Parkinson’s ACT. Jen is the Coordinator for their Young Onset support group.
We partner and collaborate with these organisations and alliances to advocate for people living with Parkinson’s
