Di Gillies
Vice President

Di served as a Ward Councillor with the City of Boroondara from 2020 to 2024. Having lived, worked and raised her family in the local area for more than 38 years, she has developed a deep commitment to the Boroondara community and has held numerous leadership and volunteer roles.

Her community involvement includes serving as Vice-President of the Camberwell Traders’ Association, Chair of the Camberwell Community Centre, a member of the National Council of Women (Victoria), and a community representative on a local secondary school council. Di is also an active Justice of the Peace.

Originally trained as a nurse, Di’s passion for serving the community has continued throughout her career. She has completed a Diploma of Governance, is an alumna of the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership, and is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences.

Alan Chuck
Secretary

Alan has served on the Friends of the Auburn Tower committee since its establishment in 2004 and currently holds the roles of Secretary and Public Officer.

A civil engineer by profession, Alan developed a passion for heritage churches while attending St Andrew’s Box Hill. His connection with Auburn dates back to 1978 when he first lived in Hawthorn.

Alan is committed to ensuring the Auburn precinct is carefully conserved while remaining relevant and adaptable for future generations. During restoration works on the tower in 2003, he invited Ted Baillieu, then Member for Hawthorn, to climb the scaffolding and view the project. That visit ultimately led to the formation of Friends of the Auburn Tower in 2004.

Shane McKenna
Treasurer

A Chartered Accountant with more than 30 years of experience advising businesses, families and not-for-profit organisations, Shane is the Managing Director of Aintree Group.

Throughout his career, he has been committed to helping businesses and community organisations build strong foundations and make decisions that support long-term sustainability.

As Treasurer, Shane brings extensive financial and governance expertise to Friends of the Auburn Tower, supporting the organisation’s mission to preserve one of Hawthorn’s most significant heritage landmarks.

As a local resident, Shane is passionate about protecting the area’s rich history and ensuring Auburn Tower and the wider precinct continue to be preserved, maintained and appreciated by future generations.

Avril McHugh
Member

Avril is a member of the Auburn Uniting Church congregation and enjoys worshipping within the beautiful heritage church and attending the many musical performances held throughout the year.

Together with her husband, Ian, she lovingly maintains the gardens surrounding the church and its historic buildings. Their time in the gardens often provides opportunities to meet local residents and visitors who stop to learn more about the history of the precinct.

Avril believes preserving Auburn Tower and the wider church complex is essential to ensuring future generations remain connected to the rich history of Hawthorn and its community.

Daphne Arthur
Member

Daphne has served on the Friends of the Auburn Tower committee since its inception in 2004.

A long-standing member of Auburn Uniting Church, she has a deep appreciation for both the church’s remarkable architecture and its magnificent pipe organ. Having lived in Hawthorn for many years and operated a bed and breakfast within one of the suburb’s historic precincts, Daphne has developed a lifelong interest in heritage buildings and their conservation.

She believes that preserving places such as Auburn Tower provides an important sense of continuity and identity within an ever-changing urban landscape.

Cheryl Pisterman
Executive Officer

Cheryl is the proprietor of In-(my)-House Publishing, a desktop publishing and administrative services business based in Hawthorn, just a short distance from Auburn Tower.

As Executive Officer for Friends of the Auburn Tower, Cheryl provides invaluable administrative support, including committee administration, minute-taking, membership management, production of promotional material and coordination of the Friends newsletter.

Living in the historic Auburn area herself, Cheryl is passionate about protecting the Auburn Uniting Church precinct and hopes its remarkable buildings and iconic tower will continue to be restored, celebrated and preserved for generations to come.