The Patrons

A number of high profile Australians have been willing to allow their names and reputations to be associated with the Talent Development Project Inc.

Patron - Margaret Whitlam AO Margaret Whitlam is an Australian icon and was an Australian champion swimmer in her youth. In 1942, she married former Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam.
Margaret is a patron of the arts with particular interests in music, theatre and opera. Each of her visits to the project has left participants and consultants motivated and enriched.

Patron - Kevin Jacobsen OAM Kevin Jacobsen, Chairman of Jacobsen Entertainment and Jacobsen Venue Management (JVM), is acknowledged as one of Australia’s most prominent entertainment entrepreneurs. He has produced, promoted and presented the world’s finest stage spectaculars, concerts and major special events in Australia and around the world, including special projects for the staging of national and international celebrations for the Federal Government and New South Wales and Queensland State Governments and just recently the stage production of Dirty Dancing.

Highlights of his career include presenting Barbra Streisand in her only performances outside the US, The Three Tenors, Bee Gees One Night Only, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Stars of the Bolshoi Ballet, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Fame The Musical, SHOUT! The Musical, Man From Snowy River Arena Spectacular and Long Way to The Top.

Kevin has been awarded the medal of the Order of Australia for services to the performing arts and entertainment industry. He has served as a Government appointed commissioner on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and was influential in establishing the JJJ radio network, which is the biggest provider of contemporary music to Australian audiences.

The Board of Talent Development Project Inc.

Board members come from a variety of backgrounds but are united in their commitment to the objectives of the project and the professional development of young entertainers from the public education and training sector.

Board Members

Hon John Brown AO is widely regarded as the finest Minister of Sports and Tourism Australia has ever known. He currently chairs the Sport and Tourism Youth Foundation which has provided scholarships to many TDP graduates over the years. John is also involved in several other organizations providing aid and assistance to people with disabilities.

Michael Coutts-Trotter is the NSW Director-General of Education and Training and Managing Director of TAFE NSW, a position he took up 10 April 2007.

Prior to taking up this position, Mr Coutts-Trotter was Director-General of the Department of Commerce for two and half years, and was Chief of Staff for the NSW Treasurer for seven years.

He views his position in education and training as one of the greatest opportunities that government has to serve the people of NSW. His experience in management, policy and advocacy will be used to support teachers, school executives, principals, TAFE head teachers and managers, and support staff to do the best job they can for students.

Anne Fitzgerald is Executive Manager, Member Services, Clubs NSW, a position she has held since 2001.

Anne has a background in sales management, customer service, and communications  with a variety of organizations including Medibank Private, API Leisure and Lifestyle, and the National Crime Authority. She holds an MBA from Macquarie Graduate School of Management,, a Graduate Diploma in Public Sector Management from the University of Technology, NSW, and a BA from the University of Newcastle.

She is Vice Chairman of Hospitality Training Solutions, a group training company employing in excess of 700 apprentice chefs and hospitality trainees, is a Director of Future Achievement Australia, and a Director of ClubsConsulting Pty Ltd. Her personal interests include long distance running and cycling, skiing and travel.


Alan Jones AO is the best known broadcaster and commentator in Australia. A former teacher and political adviser, he coached the Australian Rugby Team to their first ever win of the Grand Slam, a feat never since repeated. Alan has been instrumental in the development of the careers and progression of many TDP participants.

Mary Lopez AM 

   Click here to read about Mary Lopez

Matthew Macdougall Chairman Matthew was educated in Melbourne and completed a Bachelor of Business Degree majoring in Marketing before moving to Sydney to work as the Exhibition Manager at Darling Harbour. He then worked for a finance broking company taking over as the principal in 1989. The business then merged into a public company structure of National Rental Corp Limited (NRC). In Dec 2005 NRC was acquired by Allco and is now trading as Alleasing Pty Ltd. Matthew still remains as an integral part of this organisation.

Chris Ryan is Executive Director in the NSW Department of Education and Training and has responsibility for media, marketing, communications and executive services. Chris is a member of the management group that provides support for the Schools Spectacular and works with public education interest groups to develop performance opportunities for students from across NSW.

Friends of the TDP

Dawn Fraser AO, MBE is the greatest Australian swimmer and an internationally acknowledged athlete of the twentieth century. She has served as a Member of Parliament and is widely sought after as a mentor and motivational speaker.

Ken Hurst joined the TDP Board when CLUBS NSW became a major Project sponsor. Ken is a director and member of the board of CLUBS NSW with very extensive experience as a director of Guildford Rugby League Club and the Camden Valley Golf Resort. Ken also had a long and successful teaching career in both primary and secondary schools. Col Joye AM was a popular music entertainer with a massive youth following. He has maintained his interest in the industry as a company director and entrepreneur most recently with the outstanding production of "Shout!".

Hon Douglas McClelland AC a former Federal Minister and President of the Australian Senate. In 1987 he became Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. He maintains a keen interest in youth affairs, among other things as President of St George Illawarra RLFC.

John Singleton is a legend of the Australian advertising industry who also has interests in media, especially radio, thoroughbred racing and sales, property development and the Internet.