Louise Sylvan appointed President of Bush Heritage Australia’s Board
FORMER consumer protection advocate Louise Sylvan has been appointed President of the Bush
Heritage Australia Board, with Andrew Myer as Vice President.
Ms Sylvan said, ‘Bush Heritage has a striking vision for long-term land conservation and protection –
own it or partner with landowners to protect it in perpetuity.’
‘The unique plant and animal heritage and landscapes that so define Australia deserve the preservation
and management expertise that Bush Heritage can provide. Bush Heritage is already supported by
thousands of Australians. We are seeking to grow that support and are confidently building towards
achieving our goal of protecting 1 per cent of Australia by 2025.’
Louise, formerly head of CHOICE and currently a Commissioner on the Productivity Commission, is a
member of several NGO boards including the board of the Diplomacy Training Program at the University
of NSW.
Louise Sylvan has been an active financial supporter of Bush Heritage Australia for more than a decade.
In addition, in 1999 a property which was part of the estate of her late husband was donated to Bush
Heritage, and in 2007 Louise herself donated a property in NSW. Both properties form part of the Bush
Heritage reserve portfolio.
Louise is joined by Andrew Myer as Vice-President. Andrew has also been a long-term supporter of
Bush Heritage. Among many achievements in a range of sectors Andrew has had a long involvement
with the philanthropic community and for five years held the position of Director and Co-Vice President
of The Myer Foundation.
Phillip Toyne has retired after completing a nine-year term as Bush Heritage President.
Ms Sylvan said, ‘When Phillip joined the Board, there were twelve reserves, totalling 61,786
hectares. Bush Heritage now owns 31 reserves, covering 946 000 hectares and is strategically
developing numerous partnerships with Indigenous Australians and other landowners across
Australia. Phillip has led extraordinary growth building Bush Heritage into a leading national
organisation widely respected for its work.
ENDS
The BHA AGM was held on Saturday 14 November 2009 in Melbourne.
Media interviews are available with:
Louise Sylvan, President Bush Heritage Australia Ph: 0410 610 326
Andy Myer, 03 8825 7000
Phillip Toyne, 0409 368 437
Media enquiries: Annette Ruzicka Bush Heritage Australia 0428 393 704
Notes to editors
High resolution photos are available, please contact Annette Ruzicka, Bush Heritage Australia Ph: 0428
393 704 or 03 8610 9140
About Louise Sylvan
An advocate in consumer protection nationally and internationally for over 15 years, Ms Sylvan is well
known for her work in enhancing consumer rights in a range of areas such as health, food safety issues,
financial services, as well as in competition and consumer policy.
Ms Sylvan is currently a Commissioner with the Productivity Commission and has previously been the
Deputy Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Before that Ms Sylvan
was the Chief Executive of the Australian Consumers' Association (ACA) and President of Consumers
International.
In 1999 Burrin Burrin, a property which was part of the estate of her late husband was donated to Bush
Heritage, and in 2007 Louise herself donated a 55-ha property in NSW. Both properties are in NSW and
form part of the Bush Heritage reserve portfolio located in its South-East Grassy Box Woodland priority
conservation action region. This year the 411-ha Burrin Burrin property was found to contain a rare and
extensive stand of bimble box woodlands.
Andy Myer, Vice-President
Andrew has a long involvement with investment, film and philanthropy. He is the founder and Managing
Director of Sestriere Investments Pty Ltd, a private investment vehicle established in 1985, with
interests in equities, property development and management and is a director of numerous private
companies. He has produced and executive produced Australian feature films and is a board member of
the Melbourne International Film Festival. Andrew is a Trustee of The Sidney Myer Fund and for five
years held the position of Director and Co-Vice President of The Myer Foundation. Andrew joined the
Bush Heritage Board in 2007.
About Bush Heritage Australia
Bush Heritage is a national non-profit organisation that protects Australia’s unique animals, plants and
their habitats. Bush Heritage achieves this by acquiring and managing land of outstanding conservation
value, or by working in partnership with other landowners. By 2025, Bush Heritage Australia aims to
own, protect or manage 1 per cent of Australian land.
NEWS 
