Governors

Life Governors and Governors assist the Trustees in the conduct of commemorative services. Meet the team:

Life Governors

Lieutenant Colonel Adrian J Lombardo

Adrian Lombardo was appointed as a trustee of the Shrine of Remembrance Trustees in 1987 and became a Life Governor in 2001. Conscripted into the Army in June 1965, he graduated from the Officer Training Unit, Scheyville NSW in December that year as an Infantry Second Lieutenant. Adrian served in South Vietnam with the 8th Battalion as a platoon commander and subsequently filled regimental, training and staff appointments in his 23-year Army career. Adrian retired in 1987 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He has been a member of Melbourne Legacy since 2011 and serves on its Investment Committee.

Mr Peter R Whitelaw

Peter Whitelaw was appointed as a trustee of the Shrine of Remembrance Trustees in 1995 and became a Life Governor in 2001. He graduated as a National Service Second Lieutenant (Army) in 1966 and has served the veteran community in many roles including President of Woodend RSL Sub-Branch, Chair of the Gallipoli Oaks project. Peter was recently awarded RSL Life Membership.

Watch: Reflections of the Life Governors

Recorded in 2021, the Shrine's Life Governors discuss their time in the defence forces and how they came to serve and support the Shrine of Remembrance.

Governors

Lieutenant Colonel David Blackwell OAM RFD (Retd)

David was appointed as a Shrine Governor in 2023. He enlisted in 1967, rising to Sergeant by 1970. Commissioned into the Australian Intelligence Corps in 1980, he later transferred to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. Notable roles include commanding the Monash University Regiment and instructing at the Army Command and Staff College. He served as Chief Marshal of the Anzac Day Commemoration Council from 2007 to 2017.

Commander Priya Chandra

Priya was appointed as a Shrine Governor in 2024. She began her naval career in 1991 as a Maritime Logistics Officer, graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1993. After various postings across Australia, including at HMAS Coonawarra and HMAS Stirling, she transitioned to the Naval Reserves in 1998 as a Lieutenant. Priya's service since 2002 includes deployments to the Middle East, leadership roles at Fleet HQ, and media positions in Navy Web Services. Now residing in Melbourne, she serves as an Assistant Inspector-General for the Office of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force.

Colonel Jason Cooke

Jason was appointed as a Shrine Governor in 2019. He has served over 35 years in the Australian Defence Force, currently at the rank of Colonel. Jason has deployed on several domestic operations including the 2009 and 2019 Bushfire Task Forces and the COVID-19 Task Force with the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre. Jason currently works for the Department of Defence as a Deputy Director within the Victorian Barracks Melbourne. He is also President of the Royal Australian Artillery Association of Victoria and is the RSL Anzac Day Chief Marshal.

Colonel John Coulson OAM RFD ED

John was appointed as a Shrine Governor in 2005. He was a member of the Army Reserve for 35 years, retiring as Colonel. John was attached to 5 RAR in South Vietnam in 1967 and the British Army in 1981. In civilian life, John was a teacher, school principal and education consultant. He continues to be active in several veteran and community organisations, in recognition of which he was awarded the OAM.

Lieutenant Commander Jan Gallagher

Jan was appointed as a Shrine Governor in 2019. She joined the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) in 1966 and the Royal Australian Navy Reserve (RANR) in 1980 and was awarded the Federation Star for 40 years’ service. Jan also serves the veteran community in many roles including Treasurer of Naval Commemoration Committee Victoria and Royal Australian Navy Communications Branch, as well as being a volunteer at the Museum at HMAS Cerberus. She is also a trainee Wellbeing Advocate.

Group Captain Annette Holian

Annette was appointed as a Shrine Governor in 2006. She received a commission in the RAAF Reserves as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon in June 2000. Annette has served in East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Indonesia and the Middle East Area of Operations in peacekeeping, warlike and non-warlike operations and in humanitarian disaster responses. Her current military role is as the Clinical Director for Surgical and Peri-operative Services, RAAF, and Patron of the Catalina association at RAAFA.

Squadron Leader Matthew Little (Retd)

Matthew was appointed as a Shrine Governor in 2022. He served in the Royal Air Force (UK) for 26 years receiving two Air Command commendations in the Queen's New Year's Honours List, before relocating to Australia in 2018. As a senior Director of Music and Commander HQ Music Services within the Royal Air Force, his career was deeply embedded in ceremonial activity, especially in conjunction with HQ London District and tri-service ceremonial command. He is also a highly recognised and experienced professional vocalist and compere, working on large-scale music tours, TV and film on the global stage.

Commander Terry Makings AM

Terry was appointed as a Shrine Governor in 2006. He served in the Royal Australian Navy, attaining the rank of Commander. Terry has actively supported veterans as: President, Naval Commemoration Committee of Victoria; President, Scrap Iron Flotilla Association; President, Melbourne Sub-section Naval Association; and past National President, Naval Association.

Squadron Leader (Retd) Peter Meehan

Peter was appointed as a Shrine Governor in 2022. He held the rank of Squadron Leader in the Royal Australian Air Force Specialist Reserve and deployed as media manager on numerous occasions to joint military operations. He served during the International Peacekeeping Force East Timor period as media manager for the Royal Australian Regiment in 1999. A radio host on GOLD FM and 3AW Melbourne ‘talk radio’ during the 1980s and 90s, Peter delivered the Anzac Day Dawn Service and Remembrance Day Service at the Shrine as MC for nearly 3 decades.

Mohammed Abdur Rahman

Rahman was appointed as a Shrine Governor in 2022. He deployed in East Timor in the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) in 2000. He survived a militia grenade attack in Aidabasalala in East Timor and his experience is archived at the Australian War Memorial. Rahman has a postgraduate degree. He worked at GM Holden for 20 years and currently works with Museums Victoria. He is also Victorian representative for the 6 RAR Association. He is a passionate volunteer, recognised for his 30 years of Community Service (ACVVS) in 2022 by the Australian Government Department of Health & Aged Care.