Leadership Changes at Prostate Cancer Foundation

A founding member of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), Graeme Johnson has retired as National Chairman after six years.

Johnson has been a Director of PCFA since 2001 and National Chairman since October 2006, where he has helped establish PCFA as the peak national body for prostate cancer. He was the inaugural Chairman of the Victorian Board from 2001 to 2005 and Deputy National Chairman from 2004 to October 2006.

Established in 1996, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PFCA) as it is known today, is one of the largest organisations in Australia dedicated to:

• Helping men deal with the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer;
• Funding research into prostate cancer;
• Raising awareness about prostate cancer in the general community.

Following Graeme Johnson’s resignation, PCFA has appointed David Sandoe OAM as National Chairman, and Jim Hughes AM as Deputy Chairman.

Chief Executive, Dr Anthony Lowe said: “PCFA would like to extend a sincere thank you to our outgoing National Chairman, Graeme Johnson, for his dedication and commitment over the last 11 years. His exceptional contribution as a Director of PCFA has made a tremendous contribution to our organisation, and we wish him all the best for his retirement.”

“We are very fortunate to have David Sandoe and Jim Hughes step into these key roles. Their leadership and extensive management experience will help PCFA continue its work across the country.”

In 1996, David Sandoe OAM was diagnosed with prostate cancer and became involved with PCFA in 2000, particularly in support and advocacy areas. He went on to be the Chair of the NSW Support and Advocacy Committee (SAC), Co-Chair of the National SAC, a National Director, Inaugural Chair of the NSW Board, Chair of the Public Awareness and Education Committee and National Deputy Chairman. He has also held executive positions with various cancer organisations including Cancer Voices NSW and Cancer Voices Australia.

With his wife, Pamela, David also leads the Prostate Cancer Support Group at the Sydney Adventist Hospital.

Sandoe has extensive general management experience in the global financial services industry, spanning 43 years in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Ireland. He is currently a Principal and General Manager of Finity Consulting Pty Limited, an independently owned Australian firm of actuaries and insurance consultants. David is also a Director of the ACT Insurance Authority Advisory Board and Chairman of Foundation Diane. Some of David’s other roles have included Chairman of Insurance Statistics Australia, Director of Associated Marine Insurers Agents Pty Limited and Director of the Australian Nuclear Insurance Pool.

He is a Life Member of the Australian & New Zealand Institute of Insurance & Finance and the Swiss Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

PCFA says it receives limited government funding and relies on the highly successful Movember community campaign, to provide project funds.

The PCFA’s 2009/10 Annual Reports shows that it received $9million from the Movember campaign that year.

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in Australia and around the world to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men.