Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation will farewell long-serving Director and Newcastle community devotee Julie Ainsworth after seven years of service, as it welcomes to the Board fellow Hunter news leader, Chad Watson.
Julie was a senior newspaper industry leader throughout her professional career, holding senior management positions at the Newcastle Herald and taking a keen interest in community support initiatives, which led her to join the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Board in 2012.
Chair Phil Neat thanked Julie for her support and passion.
“The charitable foundation and our grant recipients have gained so much from Julie’s knowledge and involvement in our work, and on behalf of the Board I thank her wholeheartedly for bringing endless enthusiasm, passion and heart to everything she does. Julie is a very special member of the Hunter community, and we’re so much better off for having her as a part of our foundation,” Phil said.
“At the same time, we’re fortunate and excited to welcome to the Board Chad Watson who, like Julie, is an established news leader as well as an active community supporter. His extensive experience and passion for community service will positively contribute to the Board’s selection of projects and initiatives for funding to help improve life for disadvantaged and marginalised members of our community.”
Chad, who started his media career with the Newcastle Herald 30 years ago, was formally appointed as a board member in late January. Julie will officially step down from her board responsibilities on 1 March 2019.
Julie said she is proud to have seen the charitable foundation achieve so much during her time on the Board.
“The charitable foundation has been a big part of my life for the better part of the past decade, and I’m extremely proud of the difference its funded projects have made to people in our communities,” Julie said.
“I feel so privileged to have been part of the charitable foundation and I’m confident the Board’s decisions will continue to help make life easier for people who need a little extra help.”
Chad said his familiarity with the charitable foundation’s work made it an easy decision to join the Board as a Director.
“Through the years I’ve read numerous stories of lives changed by Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation funded projects, and I’m excited to become a part of the organisation bringing those community projects to fruition,” Chad said.
“I’m also proud to work alongside such experienced and committed directors on the Board, and look forward to contributing my own insight and experience to the charitable foundation’s efforts in creating such positive endeavours.”
IMAGE | Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has welcomed Chad Watson as a Director on its Board.