WA CRICKET FOUNDATION BOARD
JOHN GARDNER
Chair
John is the Founding Partner of VECTOR Advisors, a boutique corporate communication, investor relations and reputation management firm, and Sustainable Sport Australia, a specialist advisory firm to the sports sector.
He has more than 25 years’ experience developing strategy and providing advisory services in investor relations, strategic communication, reputation, issues management and business development, in Perth, Sydney and London. His experience includes the development of communication strategies for clients across most industry sectors and provided issues management counsel to management and Boards on several complex issues.
John was a Founder and Non-Executive Director of Citadel-MAGNUS, Australia’s leading independent corporate and financial communication firm, prior to its acquisition in 2022 by international interests.
John became a member of the Western Australian Cricket Association more than 30 years ago and is still a playing member of Claremont-Nedlands Cricket Club. He is also a long-term member of the West Coast Eagles Football Club and a current Board Director with Aurora Energy Metals.
SUZANNE ARDAGH AM
Suzanne is an experienced Non-Executive Director and Governance Professional with an international career spanning corporate and diplomatic roles in Europe, Latin America and Asia. She has had leadership roles with a marketing and communications background in the professional services and education sectors and now leads the Board Advisory Service at Lester Blades.
Suzanne is currently on the Board of the WA Ballet and Chair of Stanley College, a private tertiary international education College. She is also on the St John of God Ministry Advisory Committee and Patron of the WA Vietnam Business Council.
Suzanne is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
HILARY MACNAMARA
Hilary is a corporate lawyer and company secretary with over 20 years’ experience in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, and London in leading international law firms, investment banks, and publicly listed mining and oil and gas companies.
She has experience is mergers and acquisitions, capital raisings, corporate and commercial legal advice, and corporate governance, and was most recently the Company Secretary of Shell Australia and its various subsidiary companies.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Laws (Honours) from the University of Queensland, a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance from the Governance Institute of Australia and has been admitted to practice as a solicitor in various Australian states, and England and Wales.
Hilary and her young family are passionate about sport highlighting first-hand its benefits to individuals and the community and is invested in ensuring the WA Cricket Foundation continues to provide impactful programs.
MICHELLE SHEPHERD
Michelle is an accomplished Director and Executive, with over 30 years’ experience across corporate, public and not-for-profit organisations.
Michelle is currently the Chair of Synergy, WA’s largest electricity retailer and generator. Previously, she was a Commissioner at the Australian Energy Market Commission, responsible for Australia’s national energy policy. Michelle has also been the Vice President of the YMCA WA which empowers young people through community connections and programs. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Economics, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Director’s course.
Michelle is a passionate supporter of cricket and believes it provides an amazing opportunity for inclusion within the community.
JOHN INVERARITY AM MBE
John is a former Cricket Australia Chairman of Selectors and played in six Tests between 1968 to 1972 and represented Western Australia and South Australia in Sheffield Shield cricket between 1962 to 1985. Inverarity was a teacher for 36 years and Headmaster at Hale School for 14 years.
He has been a Board Member at WAIS, Fremantle Dockers and member of the UWA Senate. Currently, he is the Chairman of the UWA Sport Advisory Board, a Board Member of Balga Senior High School and two not-for-profits On My Feet (addresses homelessness) and EdConnect (addresses educational disadvantage).
ASHTON TURNER
Ashton Turner is a highly respected leader in Australian cricket, currently captaining both the Perth Scorchers and Western Australia’s One-Day Cup team, having previously led WA in the Sheffield Shield. A dual Simon Katich Medallist, Turner has represented Australia in One Day Internationals and T20 Internationals, earning a reputation for professionalism, empathy, and a strong commitment to team culture.
Off the field, Turner is actively engaged in the cricket and broader community. He serves on the Australian Cricketers’ Association Cricket Committee, representing WA players at a national level, and sits on the Advisory Board for Clear Air Sports, a wellbeing education organisation. Turner has also contributed as a Sock it to Sarcoma ambassador and as a WA Cricket Foundation Player Ambassador, supporting inclusion and participation programs.
Currently undertaking a Juris Doctor at the University of Canberra, Turner is deeply committed to governance, education, and creating pathways for young people through sport.
His appointment to the WA Cricket Foundation Board reflects his dedication to using cricket as a vehicle for social impact and providing opportunities for communities across Western Australia.
CHRIS WEBSTER
Chris Webster is a highly experienced executive with a strong background in wealth management, corporate governance, and community leadership. He is currently the National Head of Advisers – Wealth Management at Canaccord Genuity Australia, where he leads advisory teams, drives strategic initiatives, and fosters meaningful engagement with clients and stakeholders.
A long-time WACA Member, Webster has combined his professional expertise with a longstanding commitment to community service. He recently concluded a successful tenure as President of the University of Western Australia Hockey Club, where he championed inclusion, sustainable growth, and strong governance.
Webster brings extensive experience in fundraising, strategic oversight, and stakeholder engagement, making him a valuable addition to the WA Cricket Foundation Board.
His appointment reflects his dedication to leveraging professional and financial expertise to support community-focused initiatives, as well as his belief in the power of cricket to bring people together, foster development opportunities, and create lasting social impact across Western Australia.
AMBASSADOR
MICHAEL HUSSEY
Former Australian batsman and vice-captain of the Western Australian Men’s Team, Michael Hussey understands the role cricket can play in inspiring and connecting people and building healthy and inclusive communities.
Michael had a highly successful international cricket career that saw him represent Australia in 79 Tests, 185 one-day Internationals and 38 T20 Internationals. Michael was also a member of the team that beat England 5-0 in the 2006-07 Ashes series. Michael played 112 matches for WA, and made 8,007 including 16 centuries for the State. In 2021 he was inducted into the WA Cricket Gallery of Greats.
Michael currently works as a TV commentator and batting coach for Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings.
WA CRICKET PLAYER AMBASSADORS
MITCH MARSH
Having chosen cricket over a career as an Australian Rules footballer, Mitchell Marsh wasted no time showing off the natural ability that he shares with his Test-playing father Geoff and brother Shaun.
He made his state debut at the age of 17, was an Under-19 World Cup-winning captain at 18 and earned an international call-up at 19.
Having opted against the big money on offer in the Indian Premier League in 2014, Marsh burst back onto the scene with a double-century for Australia A against India A.
Later that year he earned a Test debut, against Pakistan in Dubai, and while the allrounder’s career in the longest format has struggled to garner long-term continuity, he has certainly saved his best performances for England in the Ashes. This includes two centuries in the 2017-18 home series, and figures of 5-46 at The Oval in 2019.
Since this time Marsh has established himself as a crucial member of Australia’s white ball sides. In the 2021 T20 World Cup Marsh scored a crucial half-century in the team’s final group stage clash against the West Indies before hammering 77 not out off just 50 balls against New Zealand in the Final to be crowned Player of the Match as Australia lifted their maiden World Cup in the format.
MATT KELLY
Born in Durban, South Africa Kelly moved to Perth when he was four years old.
The fast bowler earned a Western Australia rookie deal for the 2016-17 season but success came the following summer when he debuted for WA in the One-Day Cup, taking a wicket in his first game then claiming 4-25 in the next game against Queensland.
Kelly continued his dominance over the Bulls taking 5fa against Queensland in the 2017-18 Sheffield Shield.
Standing at 193cm tall the towering quick helped his club side Claremont-Nedlands to claim victory in the Premier Cricket T20 competition in 2014-15.
CHLOE PIPARO
Piparo is an outstanding young talent who has already captained Australia at under-18 level and scored a century for her country too.
The exciting Bunbury-raised batter made her debut during the 2011-12 season having made her maiden century at first grade level for Rockingham-Mandurah the previous summer.
She offered glimpses of her promise in the 2012-13 season, before a breakthrough 95-not-out against Queensland early in the 2013-14 summer marked her arrival.
Suited to the 50-over game, the technically-sound and pint-sized Piparo averaged 30.8 in the 2013-14 WNCL season.
ALANA KING
Alana King first hit the scene as a promising young leg-spinner with the ability to find big turn, and her improvement across all levels of Victorian cricket saw her join the VicSpirit squad for the first time in 2016-17.
Representing Victoria at an under-15s and under-18s level, King went on to earn a spot in the Melbourne Stars WBBL team for it’s inaugural season.
Eyeing higher honours, King worked tirelessly to improve her game – including moving states to Western Australia for greater opportunity – and it paid off with a breakout WBBL|06 campaign for the Stars that landed her a spot in the team of the tournament.
King then embarked on a 2021-22 summer that was the stuff of dreams. First she helped lead new WBBL club Perth Scorchers to the WBBL|07 title, before earning her first call-up to the Australian squad for the Ashes.
She debuted in all three formats in the space of three weeks, going on to be an integral part of Australia’s triumphant 50-over World Cup campaign in New Zealan
WA CRICKET FOUNDATION MANAGEMENT
Kari Musick – Foundation Manager
Alice Wigley – Project Officer