Michael Smith is the Chairman of the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund, having succeeded the inaugural President, Major General Arthur Fittock AO (Retd) in 2016. He is a non-Executive Director of the Institute for Economics and Peace, Past National President of the United Nations Association of Australia and a former Visiting Fellow at the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy at the Australian National University. From 2008-2011, Michael was the founding Executive Director of the Australian Civil-Military Centre, a multi-agency organisation established by the Australian Government to support the development of national civil-military capabilities to prevent, prepare for, and respond more effectively to conflicts and disasters overseas.
From 2002-2008, Michael was CEO of Austcare (now Action Aid Australia), an international humanitarian and development agency committed to supporting under-privileged communities.
Major General Smith served for 34 years as an Army Officer in the Australian Defence Force, graduating with the ‘sword of honour’ from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1971, and had a distinguished military career as an infantry officer, commanding at all levels from Platoon to Brigade Commander. He was a member of the Defence Organisation’s Strategic Review writing team in 1993, served as Australia’s Defence Adviser to the Kingdom of Cambodia in 1994, and throughout 1999 was Director-General for East Timor. He was appointed as the first Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) in 2000-2001, in recognition for which he was promoted from a Member to an Officer in the Order of Australia.
Michael holds a Masters degree in International Relations from the Australian National University, a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of New South Wales, and is a Fellow of the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies. He is a graduate of the Cranlana leadership program and the Company Directors Course at the University of New England.
Email Michael on chairman@gallipolischolarship.com.au
Kate Tollenaar is an ICT and future technology specialist. She has a passion for grassroots innovation to solve organisational and social challenges. Kate served in the Australian Army for over 20 years in a range of roles including telecommunications, personnel management, training design and artificial intelligence. She currently works for Leidos Australia as the Trusted Data and Artificial Intelligence Lead.
Kate is a recipient of an Army Research Grant with a University of Melbourne team, researching the application of Robotics and Autonomous Systems for military operations, and is a lecturer at the Graduate School of Business at Queensland University of Technology.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of New South Wales, a Masters of Military and Strategy and a Masters of Applied Cybernetics from the Australian National University. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.
Denise Feeney joined the Management Committee in October 2020 and was previously a business owner for 20 years, operating a Video Ezy franchise, and later as a Mobile Mortgage Specialist at Australian Military Bank. She is active in the Not-for-Profit arena as Treasurer and charter member of Wattle Grove Lions Club and Lions District Global Causes Team – Hunger as Chairperson.
Max McFarlane is studying a Bachelor of Commerce and Advanced Studies at the University of Sydney. He is a Gallipoli Scholarship Fund alumnus and recipient of the EY Internship Bursary. Max has developed experience across digital marketing, data governance, and corporate research through his academic studies and professional opportunities.
In 2025, he was elected to the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund Management Committee as Assistant Treasurer, contributing to the ongoing work of supporting scholarship recipients and alumni. As the great-grandson of servicemen on both sides of his family, Max is deeply committed to honouring their service and contributing to the ongoing recognition of Australia’s servicemen.
Matthew Newman was appointed Chair of the Selection Committee in 2024. He is an international relations and public policy professional, and has served as a Maritime Warfare Officer in the Royal Australian Navy since 2013.
Having studied at the London School of Economics and University of Oxford as a John Monash Scholar, Matthew is passionate about education as a tool for social improvement. He has experience in a variety of not-for-profit organisations and was named as one of Australia’s 30UnderThirty LGBTQ+ Leaders in 2021.
Email Matthew on applications@gallipolischolarship.com.au
Currently the Chief Executive Officer of RSL & Services Clubs Association, Margot has worked in member bodies for almost fifteen years. She has enjoyed a long history of giving back to professions at Chartered Accountants, Law Society of England and Wales, Finsia, Governance Institute and the Institute of Managers and Leaders (formerly the Australian Institute of Management). Interspersed throughout her roles in associations, Margot has also worked at Optus, Scholastic, Ausgrid and LexisNexis in a range of events, marketing and community engagement roles.
Margot has extensive volunteer, fundraising and mentoring experience, and has a real passion for giving back. Margot holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology & Education), a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (Management), an Advanced Diploma in Events, Certified Chief Happiness Officer certification, a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, a Certificate in Governance and has undertaken the Company Directors Course.
Ömer Incekara was elected to the Management Committee at the 2022 AGM, following three years of pro bono contribution to reinvigorating the Scholarship’s communications and marketing activities.
He is the CEO of Xavier Advertising and brings over four decades of experience in brand and communication strategy, developed across Australia and the Asia Pacific. His expertise centres on understanding consumer behaviour, market dynamics, and building effective brand and communication frameworks.
Ömer holds a number of board and advisory roles, including Chair of the Atatürk Scholarship, Advisory Board Member of Multicultural NSW, Advisory Board Member of The Salvation Army, Director of ATMA (Australian Turkish Mutual Alliance), and Board Member of the Australia Day Council of NSW. He also chairs two Regional Community Networks, covering New England and Northwest NSW, as well as the Murray and Lower Darling region.
Through these roles, he brings substantial experience in governance, stakeholder engagement, and advisory leadership. His work involves guiding strategic direction, contributing to policy discussions, and ensuring community perspectives are effectively represented in decision-making processes across government and non-government organisations.
He also served with NATO’s Comstrike Force in LSE, Izmir, Turkey during his compulsory national service.
Ömer is a hands-on professional who leads with clarity and accountability, and is known for his practical approach to delivering outcomes.
Geoff Evans served for nineteen years in the Australian Army’s Special Operations Command as both a commissioned and non-commissioned officer. During this time Geoff served on four operational deployments before being wounded in action in Afghanistan in December 2010.
In 2013, Geoff founded Homes for Heroes, a national charity supporting homeless veterans and their families. In 2014, Geoff was appointed to the Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Veterans Mental Health where he served two terms.
In January of 2016, Geoff was appointed as the CEO of Disaster Relief Australia, a 3000 strong international disaster relief organisation. Geoff consults to business and industry on leadership, operational design & delivery and workplace culture. Geoff holds an international relations degree from Deakin University and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
The daughter of a US Veteran and now married to an Australian serviceman, Adriana is passionate about assisting the direct descendants of our Veterans to achieve their tertiary goals. Adriana has worked extensively with non-profits to build sustainable donor support. Her development path has included donor relations, campaigns, events, and managing alumni, particularly focused on university scholarships.
Adriana has a passion for working with benevolent organisations. She has volunteered internationally promoting safe havens for orphans and abused teens in Costa Rica. She’s also interned for the United Nations Refugee Agency in Geneva, Switzerland, raising awareness and soliciting funds for displaced persons.
In addition to her donor management skills, Adriana has a Master of Arts in International Relations and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. She moved to Sydney from the United States in August of 2021, and is an avid traveler and self-proclaimed hunter of adventure. Adriana is also a mental health practitioner, assisting her clients with stress and anxiety reduction.
Patrick McCormack has just completed a Bachelor of Paramedicine at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a Gallipoli Scholarship Fund alumnus and proud recipient of the Veterans Benevolent Fund Bursary. Patrick is deeply passionate about fostering meaningful connections and uniting people through a vibrant, engaged alumni community focused on a shared mission through honouring the legacy of those who served.
As Vice President of the Sunshine Coast University Paramedic Association (SCUPA), Patrick developed valuable skills in community engagement bringing people together, fostering collaboration, maintaining strong relationships, and understanding the importance of giving back.
In 2025, he was elected to the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund Management Committee as Alumni Coordinator. Patrick draws inspiration from his Pa’s courage as a Vietnam War conscript, as well as the service of his two maternal great-grandfathers in World War II. Their legacy fuels his commitment to upholding the values of mateship, courage, resilience, and self-sacrifice, The core values of the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund, ensuring they are upheld and persevered for future generations.
