Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM has been appointed Chair of the Don Dunstan Foundation, an organisation which has been enhanced and grown with the ongoing support of Flinders University.
The Don Dunstan Foundation brings together research, policy makers and community groups with the aim of improving meeting social needs in South Australia.
Flinders University retains a special connection to the late Don Dunstan, housing the Dunstan Special Collection which is the main focus of academic research into the Dunstan era, showing his influence as Premier of South Australia between 1967 and 1979.
Dr Lomax-Smith follows a highly successful period of leadership at the Foundation by the Hon. Rev. Dr Lynn Arnold AO, who has completed his term as Chair but remains on the Board.
Executive Director of the Foundation, Ritchie Hollands, gave the outgoing chair special praise. “Lynn’s leadership over the past 10 years has been tremendous, and has seen both the breadth and depth of the Foundation’s influence grow significantly,” said Mr Hollands. “We are thrilled to have Jane driving our thought leadership and social justice agendas – in these uncertain COVID-19 times, and beyond.”
Dr Lomax-Smith is a consultant pathologist who has been involved in public life through local and state government for more than 20 years. She has been an Adelaide City Councillor, Lord Mayor of Adelaide, a member of the House of Assembly and a State Minister for Education and Tourism. She has also held many committee and Board positions, and has most recently been the Chair of the Board of the South Australian Museum and Presiding Member of the Teachers Registration Board SA.
Dr Lomax-Smith says her migration as a young professional from London to South Australia was inspired by Don Dunstan’s progressive agenda and international reputation.
“I feel fortunate to have known him in the last 20 years of his life and was honoured to have been on the Foundation’s Inaugural Board,” she says.
“It will be a privilege now to promote Don’s legacy by serving as Chair of the Board, and I look forward to supporting social and economic innovation through the Foundation.”