Hughes Society
When you leave a philanthropic gift to the University of Adelaide in your Will, you are investing in the future success of our students, research and community.
After notifying the University that you have included a gift in your Will, you will be invited to join the Hughes Society which acknowledges and thanks legacy donors for their foresight and generosity.
Hughes Society members are invited to attend the annual Hughes Society Luncheon and special events, and a complimentary Gold Pass to the Elder Conservatorium Lunchtime Concert Series. Members have the opportunity to meet academics, researchers and students who benefit from gifts in Wills.
The Society’s activities are supported by the Hughes Society Advisory Committee, which comprises eight dedicated legacy donors who actively support the Hughes Society’s growth and promote gifts in Wills to the University of Adelaide.
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Dr Michael John Llewellyn-Smith AM KStJ JP, Chair
Michael holds an MA and Ph.D. from the University of Adelaide and is also a graduate of Cambridge and Sydney Universities. He has served as Chair of the former Alumni Association and on the University Council. Michael has been a member of the Hughes Society since 2019 and supports the Augustus Short Scholarship. He is also a Board of Benefactors member. Michael became an Alumni Fellow in 2012, was awarded an AM in the 2013 New Year’s Honours, and received the Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2019. Michael has had a career in Architecture, Town Planning and City Management. He has worked in both the private and public sectors in the UK, Canada, Poland, Sri Lanka and South Africa, as well as throughout Australia.
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Mrs Stella Braund, Deputy Chair
Stella attended the University of Adelaide, studying at the Elder Conservatorium of Music. Following a scholarship offer to study in Europe and living overseas for several years, Stella returned to Sydney and pursued a career in psychology and social services, aiding the Federal Government to establish the 1800 Respect Helpline. Stella is as a mental health advocate and holds positions on an array of committees and boards for SA Health at several Local Health Networks in South Australia.
Stella has been a Hughes Committee member since 2021 and strongly believes education is the key to success. Knowledge unlocks opportunities and narrows inequalities, allowing individuals to achieve better possibilities in career advancement and personal growth. The benefits of education are many. Not only in terms of the personal benefits individuals receive at the University of Adelaide, including career progression, skill development and employment opportunities, but the contribution and benefits to society and the community, are invaluable. The students of today are the future leaders of tomorrow. -
Dr Sindy Millington
Sindy has over 30 years cardiovascular and critical care nursing experience. Her previous clinical experience included working as an associate clinical service coordinator and clinical nurse at the RAH Cardiothoracic intensive care unit, where she coordinated staff development programs. As a longstanding Clinical Title Holder at the University of Adelaide, Sindy also provided lectures and tutorials in both the Cardiac and ICU post graduate courses on the topics "Cardiac surgery" and "IABP therapy" for several years.
Sindy was later employed as an Academic lecturer at the University of Adelaide, teaching in both the Intensive Care and Acute Care Master of Nursing Science programs until 2018.
Sindy is an alum of the University having completed a Bachelor of Arts, Social Science and Humanities in 1996 and Master of Nursing Science: Cardiac Nursing, with a thesis entitled "A Mini-Ethnography of Cardio-Thoracic Nurses in The Cardio-Thoracic Recovery Unit", in 2003. More recently she acquired her PhD with a thesis entitled "A mothers heart beats for two: to explore the current provision of evidenced based practice, outcomes, and clinical outcomes for women with cardiovascular disease during pregnancy", conferred in 2022.
Sindy was the National President of the Australian Cardiac Rehabilitation Association (ACRA) 2012-2014 and served as state Secretary for ACRA-SA/NT from 2014-2017. She is currently an affiliate member of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) (2010-2023) and ordinary member of ACRA-SA/NT.
Together with her husband Ashley, Sindy committed to leaving a bequest to the University in 2018. She is appreciative of wonderful education received at the University over the years and therefore would like to contribute to its future success. Sindy became a committee member of the Hughes society in 2023.
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Mr Peter Braund
Peter is a retired Chartered Accountant, having spent his career at KPMG, Deloitte and HP as an Auditor, Computer Auditor and Strategic Technology consultant to business and governments across four continents. Peter holds a Degree and Graduate Diploma in Accountancy from the University of South Australia and while not a graduate of the University of Adelaide itself, had the opportunity to access its resources while completing his courses. Peter and his wife Stella recognise the opportunities they have accessed as a result of their education. They have a passion for ensuring education is accessible to all as a primary lever to improve the quality of life across society. To that end they are proud sponsors of scholarships and are thrilled to be able to share and leverage their experience through involvement on the Hughes Society Committee.
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Dr Peter Brooker
Dr Peter Brooker has a strong commitment to philanthropy and education. Following a PhD in Mathematical Physics at the University of Adelaide, Peter pursued an academic career with appointments in the universities of Cape Town, Utah and Adelaide. Peter has been a Hughes Society Member for a decade and is a member of the University of Adelaide Board of Benefactors, with endowed support of annual prizes for excellence in Geophysics, Physics and Music. Peter is a patron of the STEM Centre at his former high school and funds the annual STEM prize.
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Dr Rod Hill
Rod holds DSc and PhD degrees in mineralogy and crystallography from the University of Adelaide and has been a member of the Hughes Society Committee since 2020. He is a retired Chief Research Scientist and Group Executive in CSIRO, and a former Pro Vice Chancellor for Industry Engagement and Commercialisation at Monash University. He is most appreciative of the wonderful education he received at the University of Adelaide and for opening his horizons to what life had to offer. He is committed to supporting its future success.
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Dr Pauline Payne
Dr Pauline Payne graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts, before undertaking a Postgraduate Diploma in Public and Social Administration at the University of Oxford. She completed her Diploma of Social Studies at the University of Adelaide in 1966, working in social work and community organisation, with teaching, research and administrative responsibilities in the UK, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide before returning to Adelaide University to undertake a PhD in History. Pauline has taught part-time at several universities including the University of Adelaide, and has also undertaken numerous contracts in the history and heritage fields. She is convenor of the German Heritage Research Group (SA), President of the History of Science, Ideas and Technology Group (SA), and President of the Professional Historians Association (SA branch). Previous work in community and health has contributed to her concern to support teaching and research at the University of Adelaide.
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Mr Peter Routley AM, Otunba Sayedero of Ila-Orangun
Peter completed his teacher training at Adelaide Teachers’ College, with appointments at Woomera, Orroroo, Brighton High School, Pulteney Grammar, and Peckham Manor Secondary Modern School in England. Peter was the Headmaster of Ila Grammar School in the Western Region of Nigeria, the founding Headmaster of Kimbe High School in West New Britain, Papua New Guinea, and Principal of Kerevat Senior High School in East New Britain, PNG.
Peter retired from teaching in 1977, accepting appointments with NGOs including World Vision, Catholic Relief Services and the Anglican Board of Mission, coordinating projects that delivered health-services and food-aid in remote areas. In Vientiane Peter established the Anglican Relief and Development Agency (ARDA), which now functions in three main centres of population in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
The University of Adelaide prepared Peter for this varied career. Peter now offers an annual award to students of the School of Education, and his testamentary trust will ensure a substantial annual gift to the University “in perpetuity.”