About us

Susan Davies is the founding President of the Management Committee and a retired journalist, communications professional and community fund-raiser. She is a member of Zonta International and former President of the Zonta Club of Brisbane. Susan brings her vision, strategic planning skills and an extensive network of property professionals to the Foundation.

Sallyanne Atkinson AO was Lord Mayor of Brisbane from 1985 to 1991 in Queensland, Australia. She is the only woman to have held the position.

Currently Sallyanne is chair of the Museum of Brisbane, Ambassador for the Committee for Brisbane, Member of the Queensland Government’s Treaty Advancement Committee, and of the Advisory Board of the Queensland Brain Institute, and former President of the Council of Women’s College at the University of Queensland

She has served the community in Queensland and Australia for many decades in many appointed and voluntary roles. As a founder member of Sharing with Friends Foundation, she brings her extensive knowledge of local government issues, especially Town Planning matters crucial to the future of Sharing with Friends. And as a Queensland Great, Sallyanne opens doors for Sharing with Friends throughout all levels of government.

As a member of Zonta Club of Brisbane and inspired by its goals of empowerment of women and girls, her motivation is to ensure a safe and dignified retirement for older women throughout the State.

Adrienne is a health professional with over 45 years' experience in team leadership and project management. She has initiated and successfully managed several start-up state-wide health programs of international recognition. With high level negotiation and facilitation skills she has significant experience in dealing with multi government departments and bringing together teams of professionals to deliver strategic goals. Adrienne is a former Director of the Zonta Club of Brisbane and is currently a member of the Advocacy and Communication Committees.

Fran has over 20 years’ experience in the social services sector in Australia and internationally.

Working across both government and non-government organisations she has a depth of experience in relation to research and content writing, policy, training, and dispute resolution.

Ian’s national and international real estate career spans 43 years in commercial sales and leasing, acquisition, disposition, fund management, commercial property management. He is the former national chair of the global not-for-profit industry body Urban Land Institute. Together with wife Susan he co-directs the Mackie Family Foundation, a philanthropic initiative.

David Purvis is a semi-retired Queensland solicitor with decades as a law firm principal and latterly consulting to Woods Prince Lawyers. David is a generalist practice wise though main areas of interest are commercial law and property and is highly experienced in committee and board roles. He has a long-standing interest in finding solutions to the homelessness issues facing many Australians.

David is a member of the Management Committee and co-ordinator of activities relating to the development of the site and construction of the residences. A former Director of consulting engineering firm Bligh Tanner, David brings over 40 years of professional engineering and project management experience to the project. Having specialised in water and wastewater engineering he has significant experience in the development and servicing of residential land.

Anne has always been involved in the community and has chaired numerous organisations. She was a Queensland President and a National director of the Australian Association of Social Workers and is a former director of the Zonta Club of Brisbane. Anne held various senior positions in the AGPS and sat on State and Commonwealth tribunals over a period of 35 years and was appointed to the Senior Executive Service. Anne also conducted an Emotional Intelligence consultancy with colleague Adrienne Irvine. She is a founding member of Sharing With Friends and created the workshop series that she co-presents with Adrienne.