Australian men's shed association | 5th National Conference

Ms Bettina Arndt

Bettina Arndt trained as a clinical psychologist before becoming well known as one of Australia’s first sex therapists. As editor of Forum magazine, she taught medical students, doctors and other professionals and worked in the media educating the public about this fascinating subject. She then moved on to writing about broader social issues, working as a columnist and feature writer for leading newspapers and magazines. She’s now back talking about sex - her recent book, The Sex Diaries became an international best-seller. Her most recent research was on why sex means so much to men – published in the book, What Men Want.
With over thirty years on the international speaking circuit, Bettina is extremely experienced at presenting these often embarrassing topics with humour and sensitivity

Governor of Victoria Alex Chernov

The Governor was educated at Melbourne High School and then at the University of Melbourne where he gained the degrees of B.Com. and LLB (Hons). In 1968, he signed the Roll of Counsel at the Victorian Bar and in 1980, was appointed Queens Counsel in Victoria.

Whilst a barrister, he played a significant role in the leadership of the legal profession and legal education in Australia and in our region. His career includes Independent Lecturer in Equity for the Council of Legal Education, Honorary Consultant to the Australian Law Reform Commission, Chairman of the Victorian Bar, Vice President of the Australian Bar Association, President of the Australian Law Council and Vice President of LawAsia.

The Governor was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2008 and was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia in the 2012 Australia Day Honours.  

Mr Peter FitzSimons

Peter FitzSimons is a well respected columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald, television presenter on Fox Sports, speaks four languages, has played rugby for Australia, co-hosted radio shows with Mike Carlton and Doug Mulray, interviewed famous people around the globe from George Bush to Diego Maradona and written eighteen best-selling books. He is the biographer not only of World Cup winning Wallaby captains, Nick Farr-Jones and John Eales, but also former Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, war heroine Nancy Wake and magazine Queen, Nene King. In 2001 he was Australia's biggest selling non-fiction author, and duplicated that feat in 2004, with his book on Kokoda. 
One of the ten most popular after-dinner speakers in Australia, he is married to Today Show co-host Lisa Wilkinson and they have three children.

The Honourable Jeff Kennett AC

The Hon Jeffrey Kennett AC was an Officer in the Royal Australian Regiment, serving at home and overseas. He was a Member of the Victorian Parliament for 23 years, and was Premier of the State from 1992 to 1999.

Mr Kennett is currently Chairman of the Board of Management of PFD Food Services Pty Ltd., Chairman of Open Windows Australia Proprietary Limited and Chairman of CT Management Group Pty Ltd.

He is a Director of Equity Trustees Limited and Jumbuck Entertainment Limited. Mr Kennett is Chairman of beyondblue: the national depression initiative. Mr Kennett is Patron of a number of community organisations. In 2005 Mr Kennett was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia.

Noela MacLeod

Mrs Noela MacLeod has been a Member of The Country Women's Association of Victoria Inc for 41 years.  She joined The Country Women's Association at Chiltern in the North Eastern Group in 1972 and served that Branch as Secretary and Treasurer.  In 1992 the family relocated to Melbourne where she transferred to Essendon Branch, Mitchell Group. 

Noela has represented the Country Women’s Association of Victoria on many outside organisations.  She is a former Board Member of the Victorian Arts Council, Vic Relief and Foodbank and Keep Australia Beautiful. 

Noela produced a book to celebrate the 70^th Anniversary of the Victorian Country Woman Magazine, and has produced the A to Z of Cooked and Uncooked Slices, The Feel Good Cook Book, Our Favourite Recipes, Mince Matters, The Perfect Sandwich and other books.

Noela was elected to the position of National President of the Country Women’s Association of Australia in August 2012.