William (Bill) Anderson PSM

William (Bill) Anderson PSM, is a passionate advocate of creating innovative opportunities, particularly for young people, in the areas of arts, sports and education.

Bill has a unique background, having been an educator as well as a professional rugby league and cricket coach. He is believed to be the only person ever to have coached both NSW Cricket and First Grade Rugby League.

Bill was also a television and radio sports broadcaster and journalist. In his former role as a Director in the NSW Department of Education, Bill had responsibility for leading the large team responsible for the delivery of visual and performing arts, sports and conservatoriums of music as well as sponsorship and promotional activities.

Bill strategically aligned departmental arts and sports programs to corporate imperatives, raising many millions of dollars in support. As a result, significant outcomes have emerged including the NSW Premier’s Sporting Challenge and associated professional learning programs to enhance the level of sporting skills and physical activity in schools.

Bill was also instrumental in the establishment of the Public Education Foundation as well as the Arts Education Foundation, programs that help deserving students to achieve their potential through life changing scholarships.

In 2008 Bill took on the role of Executive Producer of the Schools Spectacular. His drive, innovative and creative leadership, as well as his relentless pursuit of excellence, took the show in new and exciting directions and enhanced the levels of production and performance. Bill’s negotiations with commercial television led to a live TV broadcast of the Spectacular, taking it to millions of viewers nationally.

In 2014, in recognition of his outstanding service to education, youth, sport and the arts, Bill was awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM).

Rod Hulls

ROD HULLS was born in England but migrated to Australia in 1965. He had his own band, ‘Townsound’, for 14 years which performed at major venues such as the Melbourne Town Hall and the Melbourne Exhibition Building, as well as having residencies at a number of hotels plus 5 years at the Carlton Football Club. In 1980 he turned solo and over the next 10 years worked as resident entertainer at the Beaumaris Hotel, the Jean Cocteau Restaurant in Beaumaris and the Tudor Inn in Cheltenham. 

In October 1990 he partnered with Jenny Blake to form the "Harmony Plus" piano/vocal duo and initially they worked in hotels around Melbourne. In 1992 they appeared on New Faces where they won the producer’s award and performed on the Bert Newton ‘Today Show’.

Also in 1992 they successfully auditioned to perform in Cyprus where they worked at the Rembrandt’s Restaurant in Nicosia for 9 months followed by a 3 month season at the Amathus Beach Hotel in Paphos, Cyprus.

From there, Rod and Jenny travelled through Europe, performing along the way, finally arriving in England where they acquired an agent who booked them into the Hilton Hotel circuit with residencies in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, at the Izmir and Ankara Hiltons in Turkey,  the Tokyo Bay Hilton in Japan, and the Hotel Nikko in Fukuoka, Japan.

They returned to Melbourne in 1996 and had residencies at the Melbourne Hilton, the Rialto Hotel, the Templestowe Hotel and the Excelsior Hotel, as well as performing at many other venues.

Rod and Jenny have for more than 15 years performed with the group “Athol Guy and Friends” which has performed not only in Victoria, but has also taken a mini-musical —“The Seekers Story” — around Australia.

Away from music, Rod has taught computer courses at Victoria University as well as for many other education providers. He has also produced videos for a number of organizations and thus brings his expertise and knowledge to KUBE.

Shane Jacobson

Shane Jacobson is one of Australia’s most loved actors and presenters. Best known for his work in film, television and theatre, he's also a song and dance man, author, screen writer, creative director, producer, executive producer, plus an ambassador for many worthy charities and organisations.

The Aussie blockbuster Kenny brought Shane world-wide recognition, as well as an AFI Award for Best Lead Actor. He has gone on to feature in other popular films including Charlie & Boots, The Bourne Legacy, Oddball, The Dressmaker, The BBQ and Ladies in Black. 

Shane’s television career has showcased his broad range as a presenter and actor – from hosting Little Big Shots, The Real Full Monty, Top Gear Australia and The Great Australian Bake Off to roles in Beaconsfield, Jack Irish and more.

On stage, Shane received a Helpmann Award for his role in the 2008 revival of Guys and Dolls. While an author, Shane has also found success penning his best-selling bio The Long Road to Overnight Success and most recently his exploration of his life as a motoring tragic in his second book, Rev Head.

View full bio >

Les Taylor AM

Les Taylor is the former Chief Solicitor and General Counsel for the Commonwealth Bank Group. He is currently the longest serving employee of the Bank, having worked in Legal Department for 36 years, and as General Counsel heading the Legal Department for 14 years. He has made an outstanding contribution to corporate governance and risk management, and is widely regarded as one of the best General Counsels in Australia.

In 1989 he headed the Legal team for the purchase by the Commonwealth Bank of the ASB Bank in Auckland, New Zealand, and in 1991 handled the legal work for the conversion of the Commonwealth Bank from a statutory authority to a public company. He subsequently headed the Bank's legal team for the acquisition of the State Bank of Victoria, and in the drafting of the prospectus for the partial privatisation of the Commonwealth Bank, and the subsequent finalisation of the sale of the Government's remaining shareholdings in the Bank in later years. Les is the Chairman of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, a consultant to the National Executive of PPB, and a director of Arab Bank Australia, and Chairman of Whitehouse design. 

He was made Corporate Lawyer of the Year in Australia in 2001. To mark Les' contribution to banking and the law, the Commonwealth Bank and Clayton Utz have joined together to establish the "Les Taylor Medal" which will be awarded, along with a prize of $20,000, each year on the basis of an assignment in a particular subject covering banking or law.

Tony Skinner

“The only source of knowledge is experience” _{Albert Einstein}

Experience over several decades in media, across numerous countries, cultures and languages with the ability to remain relevant through a time of dynamic technological and social change has provided Tony with a level of knowledge and connectivity in the industry few people achieve.

Creativity has been a cornerstone to his career however Tony’s greatest achievements have been through collaboration, management and partnerships with people he has worked alongside or related to as clients.

Management of people and the achievement of agreed goals can only be reached when your core management style is built around respect and trust, allowing an individual the independence to strive for and attain success.

Over the years Tony has had the good fortune to work in a variety of positions in small as well as large production companies…Grundy Productions, Fremantle Media, Southern Star, WTFN Entertainment among others. This journey has provided exposure in Europe, UK, US, Asia, New Zealand alongside his home country Australia, and given him a level of connectivity in the media industry, particularly in Asia, that is both unique and far-reaching.

Milestones reached and goals achieved have been through possessing an ability to engage with people at all levels. Mentoring those who are new, inspiring and supporting those of experience and collaborating with those in positions of influence.

Sustainability in the ever-changing media industry for such a long time can only be achieved if you are adaptable, inspired by change, and willing to learn every day. Tony possess these qualities.