Robert Rose Foundation Directors
Kevin Rose, OAM, Patron
Kevin was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2015 in recognition for his services to the community and to Australian Rules Football.
Patron of the Robert Rose Foundation and uncle to Robert Rose, Kevin is one of four brothers to play senior football for the Collingwood Football Club.
His brother Bob, formed the foundation soon after Robert’s passing in 1999 to assist those with spinal injuries and their families. On Bob’s passing in 2003, Kevin stepped in to continue his brother’s wonderful work. He participated in a Wall Walk event in 2013 raising much needed funds for the Robert Rose Foundation, walking 135km from one side of England to another.
Kevin played in 159 games for the Magpies between 1958 and 1967, which included four grand finals and the 1958 Premiership as a 19 year old. He went on as playing and non-playing coach for Prahran Football Club from 1968 to 1973. Kevin then coached Fitzroy for three years before returning to Collingwood as President from 1996 to 1998. Kevin remained on the board for a further ten years. During this time Kevin ran his own very successful family business and since retirement has held many significant voluntary positions including Presidency of the Heritage Golf and Country Club and Chairman of Country Wide Australia, a group of 96 independent food service distributors.
Kevin is still involved with the Collingwood Football club in an honorary capacity with Life Members, Hall of Fame and Special Services awards. Kevin was also awarded AFL Life Membership in 2013, is a Life Member of Collingwood Football Club, a Hall of Fame inductee at Collingwood in 1997 and is a Life Member of Prahran Football Club and Donvale Tennis Club.
Natalie Rose - Chairperson
Natalie is the cousin of the late Robert Rose and daughter of Kevin, the Patron of the Foundation. Natalie has a strong financial management background with both SME's and large corporations. A highly successful business owner and semi retiree, she joined the Board in 2011 to assist with her family's foundation. In 2018, Natalie played an integral part in the collaboration with AFL Victoria to form the very first Wheelchair AFL competition, now aptly named The Robert Rose Foundation Victorian Wheelchair Football League (RRFVWFL).
Natalie holds her responsibility very dear to her heart, knowing her cousin Robert would have wanted his legacy to live on by helping those who endured the daily life challenges he faced, but not so fortunate to receive the support he did from his parents Bob and Elsie..
Recently appointed the Chair of the Foundation, Natalie hopes to bring her passion to helping those and their families with Spinal Cord Injuries, to not only assist with their daily challenges but to lead a pathway to fulfil their life long dreams in education, work, sports and leisure.
Salli Caruana
Salli is married with three sons (Robert’s grandsons- Lachlan, Andrew & Flynn)
She worked in the Marketing Department at Collingwood Football Club for almost 10 years in the 1990s. Salli then co-owned and managed the Kangaroo Ground General Store with her husband Mark for a few years.
Salli has and continues to be the Venue/Office Manager at Skaterz Roller Skate & Blade Rink in Eltham.
Salli has been a trustee of the foundation since its inception and enjoys contributing to the continuation of the legacy of her father through helping the SCI community.
David Poulton
David has been a partner at MinterEllison since 1989. His practice focuses on insurance, corporate risk, and media litigation. David’s significant sports law experience includes acting in disciplinary and commercial matters on behalf of various sporting bodies. He is also experienced in media litigation, including defamation and contempt cases, and in providing pre-publication advice to various publishers.
David is currently the Treasurer of the Melbourne Press Club and has been a Committee member since 2000.
Sue Albert
Sue is a passionate, experienced and successful senior executive currently working within the aged care sector but having originated in the corporate sector with BP Oil.
Sue has held senior executive responsibility for stakeholder engagement programs to support a range of mergers, acquisitions and major strategic projects, nationally and internationally. She has been the senior business development advisor to the CEO, Board and Executive and currently the General Manager for products and services at Baptcare.
Sue is also a Committee Member for the Residential Aged Care Research Network (RACReN) working with Monash University and Peninsula Health
Robyn Hamilton
Robyn has practiced law since 1999 with a commitment to social justice and equality. She was Victoria Legal Aid’s Senior Inhouse Counsel for Family and Children’s Law for many years prior to taking up her current Judicial Appointment.
Robyn has a lifelong family connection to the Collingwood Football club and to Australian Rules Football. Her father, the late Jack Hamilton AM played 156 games with Collingwood from 1948 to 1958 alongside Bob Rose. Jack was Chief Commissioner of the Victorian Football League designing and transitioning the VFL into the national Australian Football League.