Farewell and thanks 2026!
Our branch committees recently said goodbye to a number of departing committee members – people who had volunteered their time, energy and commitment to lead strong advocacy, build resources and share knowledge. We thank each and every committee member for all their hard work and dedication in building a better future for their colleagues in the industry.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Mario Dreosti
SA Branch President Mario Dreosti is stepping down after taking on the President’s role two years ago on the retirement of longstanding president John Held. Over the past two years, Mario has been a valuable member of the National Executive Committee, including as National Treasurer, and a committed contributor to the SA Committee over many years. We are appreciative of his hard work and commitment, and wish him well.
Mario’s colleagues had this to say:
‘As Mario Dreosti bids farewell to the ACA committee, I want to say a huge thank you for everything he has contributed as both SA President and National Treasurer.
Mario has been a terrific leader for our SA branch – so deeply engaged, always willing to get behind the important issues and a strong advocate to ensure alignment with the rest of the ACA efforts nationally. As National Treasurer, he brought a careful eye to our finances and has been an important part of the ACA’s growth. I’ve particularly valued his ability to balance our financial operations with a genuine understanding of what we are trying to achieve as a not-for-profit industry association.
And then there is Mario’s responsiveness. He is quite possibly the fastest responder to an email in ACA history. Whether I’ve asked for feedback, advice, a quick sense-check or something at ridiculously short notice, Mario always comes back to me, often before I’ve realised I sent the email!
I’ve really valued his support, his good humour, his sage advice and his willingness to get involved. To contribute so much at both a state and national level takes a considerable commitment, and we have been very fortunate to have him as part of our world.
Mario, thank you for the time, energy and dedication. You’ll be very much missed around the table (and I suspect my inbox is about to become a little quieter).’— Angelina Pillai, ACA Chief Executive Officer
‘I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mario through the ACA SA committee and then more recently nationally. I’ve always appreciated his guidance, encouragement and support. I will especially miss his quick email responses and our friendly banter.’ — Sascha Byrne, former SA Executive Officer
‘Mario’s commitment to the ACA Committee and the architectural profession over many years has left an enduring legacy. Through his passion, leadership and unwavering dedication, he has made a significant contribution to the success of the committee and the advancement of its members. His involvement across a wide range of initiatives has strengthened both the profession and the ACA’s role as a respected and influential voice for architects and architectural practices.
While Mario’s contributions have always been highly valued, his tenure as President came at a particularly significant time. He led the committee through a period of change with professionalism, integrity, and a clear sense of purpose. His steady and considered leadership provided stability, continuity, and a sustainable foundation for the future, while consistently placing the interests of members and the long-term success of the profession at the forefront of decision-making.
A defining feature of Mario’s contribution has been his commitment to improving contractual arrangements and advocating for more balanced and effective industry practices. He has been a passionate voice for contractual frameworks that support fair, efficient, and equitable outcomes for all parties, recognising that stronger collaboration and clearer risk allocation ultimately lead to better project and business outcomes.
While Mario’s presence will be missed around the committee table, we know his advocacy for architects, architectural practices, and better industry outcomes will continue well beyond his time on the committee.’ —Catherine Startari, ACA SA President
NEW SOUTH WALES
Agi Sterling
Agi has been a whirlwind of ideas, advocacy and energy over many years at the ACA. She was the first female Vice-President of the National Executive Committee and President of the ACA NSW/ACT branch. She is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects and founder of the Sydney East Architects group. We are grateful for the time and commitment Agi has given to the ACA, and wish her the very best as she retires from the ACA Committee.
Agi’s colleagues share some reflections:
‘It is hard to know where to start with Agi Sterling!
As NSW/ACT President and National Vice-President, Agi has been a tireless advocate for the profession and for the people within it. She has been instrumental in building the ACA’s presence and community in NSW and the ACT (those Christmas in July Canberra dos were a hit!), while also making an enormous contribution nationally, including helping to establish our national webinar program and always pushing us to think about what more we could be doing for members.
Anyone who knows Agi knows that she doesn’t really do things by halves! If she believes something is important, she will champion it, talk about it, talk about it even more, connect people around it – and keep going until something happens. She is a straight-shooter with no nonsense. That energy has been behind so much of her work around professional development, mentoring younger practitioners, gender equity and creating a stronger sense of community within architecture.
On a personal level, I have loved working with Agi – one of the first people I met when I started at the ACA. Her enthusiasm is infectious and her generosity is enormous. She deeply she cares about the profession and the people in it.
Agi, you have given an extraordinary amount to the ACA. Thank you for your friendship, support, ideas (some a bit far-fetched!), your persistence and, most of all, your heart.’—Angelina Pillai, ACA CEO
‘Agi served as President of the ACA NSW/ACT for a number of years and was the ACA’s first female Vice President of the National Executive Committee. A champion of small practice, she was a fearless advocate for the profession, always ready for a robust debate, whether at the committee table, in a public forum or with a parliamentarian. Under her leadership, the branch moved beyond meetings to a regular program of face-to-face events, extended its reach into Canberra, and built a strong working relationship with the Australian Institute of Architects. Above all, she built the branch into a community where members could connect and support one another. It was Agi who brought me in to the ACA Committee and I owe her a great deal for her encouragement and example.’—Ivana Simkovic, ACA NSW/ACT President
Justine Money
Justine Money has been a committed member of the ACA/NSW Committee over many years. For International Women’s Day this year, Justine generously shared her story with us in an Inside Practice profile. She wrote: ‘I believe we have a collective responsibility to share our experiences for success. Organising and hosting CPD webinars for the NSW/ACT committee is my way of ensuring we stay technically sharp and socially relevant. In a housing crisis, the ACA provides the unified voice we need to ensure architects remain at the heart of the solution, driving real systemic change for the profession.’
Ivana Simkovic is appreciative of Justine’s generous contribution to the ACA over many years:
‘Justine has been the driving force behind our webinar program, bringing members CPD that was relevant, timely and useful to architecture practice. She shaped the program around the issues members were facing, reaching members across NSW and the ACT, many of whom might never have made it to an event in person, and given practitioners a flexible way to keep learning around work and family. As a practising architect with expertise in sustainable design, Justine brought real insight to the program, and the committee has benefited from her thoughtful contribution. Thank you, Justine, for so generously giving your time to our members.’ — Ivana Simkovic, ACA NSW/ACT President
Marie Frost
Marie has been a stalwart of the ACA in Sydney for over a decade, an enthusiastic contributor to national discussions and friendly voice on the other end of the line for ACA members in NSW and the ACT. Marie has a particular talent for member engagement, and she built strong relationships with our members over her years with the ACA.
‘For 14 years, Marie has been at the helm of the NSW/ACT branch committee, guiding it through significant changes to the ACA’s governance structure and the establishment of defined roles within our Committee. Over that time, our membership has grown, the committee has grown with it, and the branch has broadened its reach. Marie also steered us through COVID, keeping the committee connected and the branch running at a time when so much else came to a standstill. We are deeply grateful for her steady support, and glad she will continue with the ACA in a bookkeeping role, so we don’t need to say goodbye to her just yet.’—Ivana Simkovic, ACA NSW/ACT President
QUEENSLAND/NORTHERN TERRITORY
The QLD/NT Committee will be sad to see four members of the team retire from the Committee this year – Denis Waring, Gilda Donegan, Mark Kennedy and Ben Madden.
Gilda Donegan
Gilda Donegan is a Studio Director of Architecture for GHD Design’s Brisbane studio and the Immediate Past President of the QLD/NT Committee.
‘Gilda served two terms as President, and her leadership through the pandemic was invaluable. When practices needed more support than ever, she kept a close eye on how members were coping, moved our engagement online, and oversaw a period of strong membership growth. She also strengthened our advocacy, working with the Office of the Queensland Government Architect and other organisations to cement the collaborative work the ACA had begun before COVID. That collaboration is an enduring legacy, and the branch is stronger for her contribution.’—Brett Hudson, QLD/NT President
Denis Waring
Denis is the Principal of PW Architecture, based in Brisbane and Hervey Bay. He has been an ACA Committee member since 2008, Secretary of the QLD/NT branch for many years, and an Education Committee member.
‘A lot of what keeps the branch running happens behind the scenes, and much of it has been Denis’s work. He has always valued the generosity of the committee, with members from practices large and small sharing advice, supporting one another and forming lasting professional friendships. Denis has also been a strong supporter of keeping a mix of small, medium and large practices around the table. Thank you, Denis, for everything you have given the branch.’— Brett Hudson, QLD/NT President
‘I had the pleasure of working closely with Denis Waring on the Committee where he served as Secretary, and also the Education Committee where we developed constructive dialogue with the local universities on improving student access to practical experience during their university studies.
Denis and I were involved in concurrent projects for the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA). Denis was a member of the Expert Reference Group involved in developing the AACA Pathway to Registration Project over several years. His involvement on the Expert Reference Group aligns closely with the ACA’s advocacy in supporting the education of architectural students and graduates.
Always a gentleman, Denis was thoughtful, articulate and unfailingly positive. He had a knack for drawing out the key issues in a discussion and steering the group towards a sensible outcome, always with good humour and respect for everyone’s views.
Denis’s knowledge of the profession and the Association, along with his wisdom and calm, reassuring manner, will be greatly missed around the committee table. He leaves behind a lasting contribution to the ACA and to the many members who have benefitted from his work.
Denis is now looking forward to semi-retirement, with plenty of travel, delicious food and fine wine on the agenda. We wish him every happiness in this next chapter, and we hope to see him at future branch events, when he’s not jetsetting around the world.
Thank you, Denis, for your service and your friendship (and your excellent restaurant tips).’— Charmaine Kai, former ACA QLD/NT Committee member
Mark Kennedy
Mark Kennedy is a Director of Townsville-based Counterpoint Architecture, which has been a member of the ACA for approximately eight years. Mark has been a valuable QLD/NT Committee member and generous contributor to the national ACA Regional Working Group. We are very grateful for the ideas, time and energy he has given the ACA over the last few years and wish him well as he retires from the Committee.
‘Mark brought a vital regional perspective to the committee, reflecting the diverse geographies of practice across Queensland and the Northern Territory. Based in Townsville as co-director of Counterpoint, Mark understands both the strengths and the challenges of running an architecture business in regional Australia and has been a strong advocate for those practices. Through his leadership of our RAP work, he also showed a genuine commitment to reconciliation.’ —Brett Hudson, QLD/NT President
Ben Madden
Ben is a Principal at Cottee Parker and has been a member of the ACA QLD/NT Committee for several years. Ben also took on the role of Queensland representative on the national Industrial Relations Working Group.
‘As a Principal at Cottee Parker, Ben Madden led Queensland’s industrial relations work with expertise and practical insight. He was the Queensland representative on the national Industrial Relations Working Group through a period of major change, from the Fair Work Commission’s review of the Architects Award to new rules on casual work and the right to disconnect.’ — Brett Hudson, QLD/NT President
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The WA Committee is grateful for the ideas, time and commitment given by five wonderful volunteers, who will be leaving the Committee this year.
Emily van Eyk
Emily was a longstanding WA Committee member and has led the committee’s work on the National Registration Framework, advocating to preserve the integrity and standards of architectural registration.
Emily was highly active supporting our local WA advocacy, also taking up the role of Chair of the national ACA University Engagement Working Group, which helped strengthen the links between architectural practice and tertiary education.
Emily’s contributions and experience in the tertiary education sector were instrumental, as was Emily’s support to the VP. We wish Emily every success in the future.
Kali Passmore
Kali will be missed. She has served on the ACA WA Committee as Secretary for a number of years and developed member-focused initiatives for the WA branch, including the online Practice Managers Forum, a safe space where Practice Managers can meet and share ideas and ways of working.
Kali has been active in advocacy and in supporting the VP. Kali was exceptional at analysing membership data to better understand growth trends and inform the development of events and resources for WA members. We wish Kali all the very best in her future ventures and look forward to catching up at future events.
Fred Chaney
TRCB Director Fred Chaney joined the ACA WA Committee in 2024 and brought new perspectives and more than 30 years of expertise in architecture, urban design and sustainability to the branch’s advocacy and member engagement activities.
Fred’s support and participation on the Reconciliation Action Plan working group were instrumental to the development of the ACA’s first Reconciliation Action Plan.
The ACA wishes Fred every success in his new role as WA Chapter President of the Australian Institute of Architects.
Michel Greenhalgh
Michel avidly represented regional practice on the ACA WA Committee and has played a leading role in advocacy relating to procurement and regional practice.
Michel chaired the ACA’s national Regional Practice Working Group, and was key to introducing online support to regional architectural practices.
Michel went above and beyond, and generously hosted the entire ACA WA Committee for its first strategy weekend, which was pivotal to our increased engagement with our members and Government.
Fernando Faugno
Fernando joined the ACA WA Committee in 2024 and was part of the committee’s work to strengthen advocacy, professional connections, and support for architectural practices across Western Australia. Fernando was also WA Sponsorship Manager for a portion of his tenure, bringing new sponsorship revenue to the WA branch.