About the Foundation

Trustees Terry Crabb | Sandra Williams | Graeme Rodda | John Roger 
Appointer Dr Philip Henschke

The Brian & Maxine Newell Prostate Cancer Research Foundation ABN 51 635 003 200 is a charitable trust and has ATO endorsement as a Prescribed Private Fund.  

The Foundation was formed on the 25th June 2001 to help support Brian Newell in his quest to raise money for prostate cancer research. Brian was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in 1995.  By July 2000, he had achieved his goal to publish a photographic essay of the Old Ghan Railway. To help him achieve his ambition to raise money for prostate cancer research, the Foundation was formed to market the Old Ghan book as well as supporting him in his efforts to publish more books. The Foundation also has a mission to raise awareness of prostate cancer. 

Terry Crabb, a friend of Brian’s was the driving force behind the Foundation. In August 2000, Terry contacted a fellow Rotarian, John Roger, about the legal possibilities of setting up a Foundation. Sandra Wiliams (nee Marinelli) was recruited as the representative of the Brighton Rotary Club and later Graeme Rodda was invited to join through the Coromandel Valley Rotary Club. To complete the Foundation, Dr Philip Henschke, Brian’s brother in law, took up the position of the appointer. Together these trustees form a very well balanced team of professional people. 

Since its formation, the members of the Foundation has continued to sell and promote the Old Ghan book, raising much-needed funds which are then donated to the Hanson Centre and the Flinders Medical Centre Foundation to buy new research equipment. They have also maintained a public profile to promote awareness of prostate cancer within the community. 

The Foundation also works to gain the support of the public in accepting donations and bequests. In this way, people can be assured that their donations will be used for further research into prostate cancer.

The founding and current trustees are:

Terry Crabb (chairperson)

Terry, now retired, was the managing Director of Aldinga Turkeys for over 25 years. He is a past president of the Rotary Club of McLaren Vale and a past president of the Australian Turkey Federation Inc. Terry was  honoured in 2004 when he was named Entrepreneur of the Year for South Australia.

Sandra Williams
Sandra Williams has always had a keen interest in community service. Sandra has been a trusteee with the Newell Foundation since its inception. She has been on many committees and is currently in her second term as President of the Rotary Club of Brighton. In 2007, Sandra was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by her fellow Rotarians for her work in Rotary in the community. Sandra was the Group Leader of the Somerton Park Sea Scout Group for 10 years and is a mentor for the Anglicare Star Bear camps for bereaved children. Sandra has been in business for most of her working life but now works for Anglicare SA.

Graeme Rodda BEc, FCA

Graeme is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia Board, Audit Advisory Committee. Graeme is a member of the Coromandel Valley Rotary Club.

John Roger LLB BA

Canadian by birth, John came to Australia in 1977. John is a senior partner in the Southern Vales Legal firm. John is an active member of the Rotary Club of McLaren Vale, the Festivals Association and other associations supporting the local McLaren Vale region.

Dr Philip Henschke (Appointer) MBBS (Adelaide University 1969), Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians 1973, Fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Physicians 1980, Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine 1993.

Philip is currently Head of the Division of Rehabilitation, Aged Care and Allied Health at the Repatriation General Hospital Daw Park SA, Senior Visiting Physician at the Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park SA. and Senior Clinical Lecturer at the Flinders University School of Medicine.

Philip is also a past Chairman Board of Directors Julia Farr Services Fullarton (Board member 20 years, Chairman 5 years). Specialised care of those with brain injury and progressive neurological disorder, a past Board member Southern Domiciliary Care and Rehabilitation Service (3 years) and currently a member of the Commonwealth Nursing Homes Standards Appeal Board (SA). Philip is married to Brian Newell’s sister Laurena.

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