Adelaide Botanic Gardens Foundation Committee

With a passion for entrepreneurism and a background in agribusiness, James has focused his career on supporting the growth and development of Australian enterprises. An energetic leader of business advisory firm Bentleys SA, James takes a practical approach to supporting business owners as they set up and grow their operations.

James’ expertise includes all manner of business advisory and taxation services, including not for profit organisations, start-up enterprises, international taxation and business structuring and succession.

James is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and is the National Chairman of Bentleys’ Agribusiness Pillar.

Sam Abbott QC

Sam is a barrister and Queens Counsel, practising from Bar Chambers in Adelaide. He is also a legal officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, holding the rank of Wing Commander.He has had a life-long passion for trees and gardens in Australia and overseas and joined the Botanic Gardens Foundation Committee in late 2020.

Bill Fowler

Bill is an insurance professional with 15 years experience with Origin Energy. He has served on the Boards of the Wyatt Benevolent Trust, Novita Children’s Services, and the Gas Industry Superannuation Fund.

Ed McAlister AO

Ed’s history with the Adelaide Botanic Gardens dates back to 1979 as Horticultural Botanist and later as Assistant Director, overseeing the reconstruction of Mount Lofty Botanic Garden after the devastating fires of 1983 and as the Gardens’ representative on the team building the Bicentennial Conservatory.

As Chief Executive for the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia, he was responsible for the greening of Adelaide Zoo, and opening Monarto Zoological Park to the public. In 2003 Ed was made an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) for services to conservation. Ed has an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Adelaide and is a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of New England.

He was President of the Australian Institute of Horticulture and has been involved with the Friends of the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide for almost 43 years. In November 2021 Ed was appointed to the role of President of the Friends of the Botanic Gardens.

Lowen Partridge

Lowen held senior roles in communication consultancies and in-house marketing for a number of professional service organisations before establishing her own consultancy, Peartree Brand Strategy. She has worked across most sectors including construction, finance, food and wine, health, retail, local government, manufacturing, tourism and professional services (legal, accounting, architecture and engineering).

Lowen holds a Degree in Education from Flinders University, an MBA from the University of South Australia and a Graduate Diploma Wine Marketing from the same university. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, is an Accredited Family Business Adviser and a Certified Practising Marketer.

Elizabeth (Libby) Raupach OAM has more than 30 years’ experience in areas of performing arts, arts training, community engagement and fundraising.

Libby has previously worked as the Executive Director of the Helpmann Academy and General Manager of Common Ground, and currently manages a 90-acre rural and vineyard property.

In 2008, Libby was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for “service to the visual and performing arts, particularly in the areas of education, administration and training”.

Libby has served on various boards including as Chair of the State Theatre Company of SA and State Opera SA, Deputy Chair of the Jam Factory and Windmill Performing Arts Company and member of the National Council for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. She is also a member on the Board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium.