The St Peter’s College Foundation was established in 1985 and has since played a vital role in ensuring the best educational outcomes for our students. The Foundation has supported key facility projects across the School, contributed to resourcing as well as adding to the diversity of our student body through the provision of needs-based scholarships.
School fees and government grants alone do not provide for the advancement of the School and thus the work of the Foundation is vital in supporting the School’s vision to build an exceptional community of learning.
Foundation Membership
Foundation membership is open to all donors with cumulative giving of $5,000 or more. Foundation members enjoy a number of benefits including invitations to special events and opportunities to engage with the wider School community.
Member | $5,000 |
Fellow | $25,000 |
Senior Fellow | $50,000 |
Benefactor | $100,000 |
Senior Benefactor | $250,000 |
Vice Patron | $500,000 |
Patron | $1,000,000 |
For more information about becoming a Foundation member, please contact the Development Manager for a confidential discussion on +61 8 8404 0528 or email foundation@stpeters.sa.edu.au.
Foundation Board
The St Peter’s College Foundation Board brings together the skills, knowledge and expertise of old scholars, current parents and past parents to help develop and maintain excellence in education, facilities and community service at the School. Working closely with the Development Office, the Foundation Board provides strategic oversight and support of activities that encourage community engagement and philanthropic support.
- Dr Richard Sawers AM (ATH 1966)President and Council of Governors Nominee
Richard joined the Board in 2017 and was elected President in 2020. He is a current parent, old scholar and is also the Foundation nominee on the Council of Governors.
Richard graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. He is a clinical lecturer in restorative dentistry and mentors Indigenous health science students.
He serves on the Oral Health Foundation Board of the Pierre Fauchard Academy based in Virginia, USA of which he is a Fellow and past International President. He is the Australasian President of the International College of Dentists and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is a member of the Governance and Philanthropy Committee of Anglicare and also a member of the Australian Dental Association, American Dental Association, Academy of Dentistry International, American Academy of Dentistry and the Securities Institute of Australia.
Richard is a member of the St Peter’s Cathedral Music Foundation.
- Don DonlanVice President
Don joined the Board in November 2008 and was appointed Vice President in 2017. He is a current parent.
Don has a BA in political science from Villanova University, USA. He is a lieutenant in the US Naval Reserve, having served in Vietnam. After almost 40 years in the finance industry, he retired in 2006.
He is a founder and past president of Villanova University Financial Club of Wall Street and an former member of the Neurosurgical Research Foundation Board and Executive Committee and Chair of the Investment Committee. He is also member of the Fundraising Task Force for the St Peter's Cathedral.
- Timothy Neill (YNG 1983)Treasurer
Tim joined the Board in 2020 and was appointed Treasurer in May 2021. He is an old scholar and past parent.
Tim (B Economics) is a Chartered Accountant and Principal of T C Neill CA. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Board member of Co-Opera Inc, Honorary Treasurer of the Neurosurgical Research Foundation Inc and Treasurer of the St Peter’s Cathedral Music Foundation.
- Tim BrowningExecutive Officer
In February 2018, Tim Browning was commissioned as the 15th Headmaster of St Peter's College. He has a distinguished career in both coeducational and boys’ education settings and was formerly Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School at Cranbrook School in Sydney.
In May 2019, Tim was elected as the Executive Officer of the St Peter's College Foundation.
- Don Sarah AM (DAC 1954)
Don is an Old Scholar (DAC ‘54), a past parent and current grandparent.
Don became involved with the Foundation as a trustee in the 1980s and in October 1994 he was appointed Chairman of the Foundation’s Annual Giving, Major Gifts and Bequests Standing Committee. He was President of the Foundation from 2007-2017. He is a founding member and Patron of the Founders' Circle and a member of the Blackmore Rowing Club.
Don has had a very successful career in the construction industry and held positions of General Manager, Managing Director and Chairman of Directors (until retiring in 2001) of his family building company which comprises Sarah Constructions, Sarah Homes and Hindmarsh Plumbing. Don is past National President and an Honorary Life Member, Australian Institute Building; past President, Master Builders Association SA; and past President, Institute Arbitrators and Mediators Australia.
- Tony Keynes OAM (SCH 1970)
Tony joined the Board in 1985. He is an old scholar and former member of the Council of Governors. He is a member of the SPOC Executive Committee, and President and Head of Coaching of the SPCA Athletics Club.
Tony completed a four-year machinist apprenticeship and an Associate Diploma in business administration. He is a retired business owner, now managing investment properties.
Tony is also an Australian track and field coach, life member and former president of Athletics South Australia and current member of its track and field advisory committee as well as member of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air-conditioning and Heating.
Tony was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his services to athletics in the 2019 Queens Birthday Honour list.
- James Sarah (DAC 1982)
James joined the Board in 2020. He is an old scholar and past parent.
James is the Joint Managing Director of the Sarah Group and oversees the strategic direction and performance of the businesses in the group. James is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is an Honorary Life Member of the Property Council of Australia South Australian Division.
He was a Director of the RAA of SA Inc for 14 years and Director of Masonic Homes Ltd for 5 years. James has also been President of the Australian Institute of Building and Property Council of Australia South Australian divisions respectively and sat on the National Boards of both organisations.
- Andrew Thomas (WDK 1959)
Andrew joined the Board in 2020. He is an old scholar, past parent, served as a Council of Governor from 2005 to 2016 and is a former President of the SPOC Football Club.
Andrew is the former CEO and Board Member of Michell (Aust) Pty Ltd. He has held the roles of Federal President of the Australian Wool Processors Council, Deputy Chairman of the Australian Council of Woolbuyers, Deputy Chairman of SA Water and Chairman of both the South Australian Research and Development Institute and the South Australian Wool Industry Development Board.
On retirement from his business activities, Andrew and his family owned and ran an Angus breeding property at Ashbourne on the Fleurieu Peninsula for 18 years.
- Oren Klemich (DAC 1978)
- Mellissa Larkin
- Nick Harley (DAC 1999)
Nick Harley joined the Board in 2022 and is an old scholar and future parent.
Nick holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons, Mechatronic) and a Bachelor of Economics from Adelaide University as well as an MBA from Judge Business School (University of Cambridge).
Nick has 15 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry, with experience spanning project development, strategy, business transformations, and exploration. The majority of his career has been at Santos but he has also spent time with McKinsey & Company in their London office, working with businesses across geographies including Africa, UK, Europe and South East Asia.
- Jock Gilbert (W&A 1970)
Jock Gilbert joined the Board in 2022 and is an old scholar and past parent.
Jock Gilbert is the principal and director of Jock Gilbert Real Estate. Jock has carved a successful career in real estate and is recognised as a leading auctioneer. He is a Member of the Real Estate Institute of Australia, Society of Auctioneers and Appraisers and a Life Member of the National Trust of Australia.
Previous Foundation Annual Reports
2021 Foundation Annual Report
2020 Foundation Annual Report
2019 Foundation Annual Report