Our Story, Our People

Rosemary Vilgan was appointed as a Director of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation on 12 March 2020 and Chair from 2 December 2023.

Rosemary Vilgan is the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Bank Group Staff Superannuation Fund, a Member of the Cambooya Investment Committee, the Advisory Board for the Committee for Brisbane and a member of various Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Committees. In 2024, Rosemary was appointed as a Director of the Future Fund Board of Guardians.

Rosemary was the CEO of QSuper from 1998 until late 2015. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by QUT for her services to the University which included 12 years as a Councillor and was also granted Life Membership of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) for her services. Rosemary has held a variety of other business and not-for-profit positions over her business life and in recognition of her career, was named the 2013 Telstra Australian Businesswoman of the Year. Rosemary has qualifications in business and superannuation and is a Fellow of both the Australian Institute of Company Directors and ASFA and a Member of Chief Executive Women.

Ruth Armytage was appointed a Director of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation on 27 November 2014 and Deputy Chair from 7 March 2017. Ruth has been a Director of the Girls and Boys Brigade from 1990 and was formerly an early childhood educator and teacher. Ruth has been on other not-for-profit Boards which have focussed on early intervention, young children and youth.

Andy worked in the wholesale/distribution of manufactured goods for outdoor activities before embarking on a career in the banking sector at ANZ. Following this he gained a degree in Marine Biology from James Cook University in 2007 and an Honours degree in the same from the University of New South Wales in 2008.

Andy currently raises his five children whilst attempting to write the great Australian novel, as well as start and build a surf brand. He is particularly interested in equality for all and mental health issues, especially among youth and indigenous youth.

As well as VFFF, Andy sits on the Board of Directors for a variety of family investment companies, the JIBB Foundation and The Girls and Boys Brigade.

Annabel has extensive experience in the philanthropic and not for profit sectors in Australia and is a keen supporter of grassroots initiatives. Prior to her career in philanthropy, Annabel worked in publishing and the media.

Annabel was reappointed as a Director of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation in 2016, after previously completing an eight year term in 2013.

Annabel previously worked part-time at VFFF researching, analysing and assessing grants. She moved from the city to rural properties in Glen Innes and now the Southern Highlands and during this time worked for Landcare, Arts North West and the local council amongst other community volunteer roles, giving her a wide understanding of community and rural needs.

From 2015 to 2024, she served in the Board of the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), a not-for-profit organisation working in partnership with government, industry and philanthropy.

Annabel holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney, a Graduate Diploma of Editing and Publishing from Macquarie University and a Master of Business (Social Investment and Philanthropy) at Swinburne University. She has also completed the Australian Company Institute of Director’s course.

Annabel is passionate about philanthropy, particularly women’s empowerment, rural and regional renewal and the arts and continues to be involved on boards and committees in her interest areas.

Joseph has worked in the energy industry for nearly 20 years leading the establishment of a number of consulting and project-development businesses and providing significant advice in the electricity supply sector. Over this period, he has primarily worked as a CEO, Managing Director and advisor. Joseph’s practices have revolved around electricity supply, across both infrastructure and trading markets, with experience in executive management within multinational corporate environments including as part of the global finance committee of GHD Pty Ltd, a professional services firm with turnover exceeding US$1 billion. Over recent years Joseph’s focus has been on innovative, commercial and regulatory policy strategies to support energy infrastructure and energy-related project investment via Defiance Energy and VisIR, where Joseph is Executive Chairman.

Joseph is a Director of a number of private companies and is involved in a range of philanthropic activities including as a Director of the Mater Hospital Foundation in Brisbane, and Committee Member of the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation.

Joseph is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a bachelor's degree in business and has undertaken a range of executive training including training in ethics, governance and advanced financial modelling.