Shrine trustees

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the care, management, maintenance and preservation of the Shrine monument and the Shrine Reserve. Meet the team.

Captain Stephen Bowater OAM RAN
Chair

Stephen Bowater was appointed Chair of the Shrine of Remembrance Trustees in February 2021. A proud Victorian inspired by the military service of three generations of his family, Stephen entered the Royal Australian Navy as a 15-year-old Junior Recruit in 1976.

Participating in operations and peace enforcement deployments around the world, highlights of Stephen’s Navy career include commanding the frigate HMAS Arunta and Victorian naval base HMAS Cerberus.

Most recently, Stephen served as Commander Shore Force holding responsibility for 14 Naval Bases and 3,200 people. He led Navy’s efforts in support of Operation Bushfire Assist 19 and the deployment of over 1,500 personnel nationally to support Australia’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

With a sound knowledge of military history and commemorations in Victoria, Stephen leads the Shrine’s board of directors in fulfilling their responsibilities for the care, management, maintenance and preservation of the Shrine monument and the Shrine Reserve.

Nikki Deighton 

Nikki Deighton is the daughter and granddaughter of Army veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Borneo and the First World War. She has worked in education for over 30 years and is Director and Principal Consultant at dk2 where she develops programs that support the design of learning experiences that effectively engage students and the wider community.  

Nikki prides herself in her ability to explore ways of engaging diverse audiences and targeting practical strategies to support social wellbeing.  

Colonel Michelle McCormack GAICD FIEAUST

Michelle McCormack is a seasoned Australian Army veteran with over 30 years of service. She blends her military and civilian careers with a passion for aiding others, having engaged in humanitarian engineering both locally and abroad. Her diverse experience spans education, youth development, veteran support, HR, and community safety. Currently serving as Director of Force Modernisation in the Australian Defence Force, Michelle also sits on various boards, including the Royal Australian Engineers Foundation. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fellow of Engineers Australia, she is dedicated to preserving the Shrine monument and honouring veterans.

Graeme Plumridge OAM 

Graeme Plumridge is the nominated Melbourne Legacy representative to the board of the Shrine of Remembrance Trustees. He is a Past President of Melbourne Legacy and currently chairs their Finance Audit and Risk Management Committee. Graeme has previously served as a director and treasurer of Legacy’s National Body, Legacy Australia Incorporated. 

In his business life, Graeme was Director and Chief Financial Officer of a private company with two other proprietors. The company operated successfully in the construction industry and employed 250 staff. Graeme served two years in the Australian Army as a National Serviceman and is a Vietnam veteran. 

Dr Robert (Rob) Webster OAM FCPA 

Rob Webster was a National Serviceman in the Australian Army and served in Vietnam 1970–71. He is the State President of the Returned & Services League of Australia (Victorian Branch) Inc, being awarded Life Membership with Gold Badge in 2002. 

During his working career, Rob was an accountant, land valuer and university lecturer in property and finance. He was appointed as a trustee of the Shrine of Remembrance Trustees in 2017 — the same year received a Medal in the Order of Australia. 

Rob is Chairman of the Victorian Veterans’ Children’s Education Board (DVA) and a Director of the Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree. 

Committees

The following committees assist the Trustees in the performance of their duties:

Audit and Risk Management Committee

The Audit and Risk Management Committee considers matters including:

• corporate governance and compliance
• risk management
• operating and capital budgets
• oversight of financial management practices
• statutory compliance.

Ceremonial Committee

The Ceremonial Committee considers matters including:

• ceremonial protocols and policy
• the conduct of commemorative service
• applications to conduct services and place memorial plaques.

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee considers remuneration related matters.