Qantas Foundation Memorial Ltd (QFM) is a Trustee Company responsible for the administration of the Qantas Foundation Memorial Trust. QFM is a not-for-profit registered charity comprised of an unlimited number of limited liability members (refer to “Become a Member” below). QFM was incorporated on 20 February, 1990, with the goal:
“To preserve the history and innovatively present the story of Qantas and its Founders.”
It operates the “Qantas Founders Museum”. While Museums preserve past heritage for the historical, educational and entertainment benefit of the community, within this Museum, displaying people, places and aeroplanes, and the re-creation of flight in this pioneer era of aviation, there is a theme for the present generations of Australians:
“To enthral and inspire all with the vision, determination and deeds of the Qantas Founders and those who have followed.”
Qantas Founders Museum is the initiative of people of Western Queensland.
We are a separate and distinct entity from, and not owned or operated by, Qantas Airways Ltd but proudly independent having been initiated by the people of the region and receiving their ongoing support. We enjoy an excellent and close working relationship with Qantas and have an Intellectual Property Licensing Agreement and currently receive an annual donation from them. Qantas employees, past and present, continue to support us in a range of ways including through donations and substantial volunteer labour, information and advice. To read the Qantas Foundation Memorial Limited Constitution click Here.
Become a Member
As a Qantas Foundation Memorial Member you will receive free entry into the Qantas Founders Museum for the duration of the membership, invitations to special events and 10% discount on gift purchases (Excludes food / refreshments and consignment lines). If you would like to become a member, please click the button below to download the membership form
For more information you can call Qantas Founders Museum on 07 4658 3737 or email info@qfom.com.au.
Help Us Save Australia’s Aviation History
If you would like to help us save our aviation history you can donate online by clicking the Donate button below. Every dollar helps and donations over $2.00 are tax deductible. Thank you for supporting our museum!
Donate ONLINEBoard of Directors
ALASTAIR FYSH
BOARD CHAIR
Alastair has a background in media and film production. He has worked at leading creative and media agencies in both London and Sydney. He was previously Head of Media & Sponsorship for McDonalds Australia.
Alastair then became General Manager of Sales at oOh Media, Australia’s leading outdoor media advertising company, and oversaw an Australia wide team which delivered significant and sustainable revenue growth.
More recently Alastair started his own video production business producing TV commercials for companies such as CommBank, Glenfiddich, Bayer and New Holland Tractors.
Alastair’s experience and expertise will assist QFM with advice on marketing & media, including digital video production, and with corporate fund raising.Alastair is passionate about Qantas and its history.
Qantas has always been part of his life. His Grandfather was Sir Hudson Fysh, one of the founders, Managing Director and finally Chairman until his retirement in 1966 (46 years). Alastair’s father John Fysh was born in Longreach and was also with Qantas as a senior Executive for 33 years.Alastair lives in Sydney with his wife Pippa and has 3 adult children.
DAVID THIESS
QANTAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR
David’s family have been associated with outback QLD since the 1930’s and David has been with Qantas since the age of 16. Employed initially as an Aircraft Engineer Apprentice (Mechanical).
After attaining his pilot licence in his mid-20s, he started his flying career with Qantas. David has flown 747-2/300/SP, B737-3/4/800, B767, A380 and just recently gained his command on the A330.Interesting fact: David actually flew VH-EBQ with its brand new paint job from New Iberia Louisiana USA to Australia. It makes him very proud to see it at Longreach today.
David gained his LAME licence and owns a CASA approved workshop where he restores and maintains many vintage aircraft from the 1920s to 1940’s. He regularly flies a DH82 Tigermoth and DH83 Foxmoth. David is a committee member of the Antique Aircraft Association of Australia. David helped organise a successful aircraft pilgrimage for the RFDS to celebrate their 90th Birthday. Where they flew 30 aircraft on the very first flight route 90 years to the day Cloncurry to Julia Creek.
David has a passion for aviation history including QANTAS history. David is excited to be associated with QFM and continue the great legacy that Qantas and the museum have become world renowned for.
PETER O'REGAN
TREASURER
Peter is the senior partner in O’Regan & Partners, a Chartered Accountancy Practice providing professional services to regional and remote Queensland.
He commenced his career with Deloitte in Brisbane and later established O’Regan & Partners in Longreach in 1992, with the firm expanding in subsequent years to now have offices in Mount Isa, Winton, Emerald, Townsville, St George, and Brisbane, as well as a visiting office in Cloncurry.
Peter is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in the beef production sector, having been raised on a cattle property in the Marlborough district of Central Queensland, and worked on the family properties for a number of years before moving to Longreach.
In addition he also owned, operated, and developed two cattle and sheep properties South West of Longreach for a period of 12 years.
The agricultural sector is a significant part of the firm’s client base, ranging from large pastoral operations in Western Queensland to irrigated cropping operations in the Queensland Central Highlands.
With over 25 years experience in advising businesses, Peter offers expertise in business structures and taxation strategies, business growth and succession, as well as finance and restructuring.
In addition, Peter has significant expertise in Local Government, having for many years been a contract auditor with the Queensland Audit Office, with the firm now providing consulting and internal audit services to many local authorities in Western and South Western Queensland.
ANTHONY PENNEY
QANTAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR
Anthony is the Qantas Regional Manager for Queensland, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, responsible for commercial activity in the state, as well as, government, industry and tourism relations. He has considerable commercial experience, having led sales teams across the airline and has held management roles in customer experience, operational and learning and development areas.
Prior to Qantas, Anthony was the Executive Director, Industry & Government Engagement at Business SA, South Australia’s chamber of commerce.
Sitting on the leadership team he led Business SA’s policy and advocacy efforts lobbying state and federal politicians regarding key issues facing South Australian businesses. He was also the media spokesperson conducting over 1000 interviews with local, national and international media outlets over a 4-year period.
Anthony has a Bachelor of Sports Science and a Masters of International Business and has lectured in Management, Organisational Behaviour and Business Communication at universities in Perth and Sydney.Originally from Canada, he has lived and worked in Europe, Asia and Australia.
JOANNE KHOO
DIRECTOR
Joanne Khoo GAICD, GIA (Affliate) BA//LLB and Masters of Law, is an experienced C-Suite legal, risk and governance executive and NED with 18+ years of combined professional experience working at former ASX listed Sydney Airport (Australia’s busiest gateway) and regional Cairns Airport and Mackay Airport, where she was the immediate past, General Counsel and Company Secretary and played a key role in helping to drive the success of the airport business and contributing to the broader socio-economic prosperity of the local economy.
Joanne also brings diverse industry experience from her time working in the professional services/consulting sector as senior legal advisor at the leading design/engineering firm, Arup Pty Ltd and as a senior lawyer at Australia’s top national law firms, in Sydney.
Joanne is a current NED on the board of the Ngak Min Health (since 2022- present) which is part of the Cape York Partnership entity group. Ngak Min Health strives to provide holistic and preventative health care services to first nations students and their families at Djarragun College in Gordonvale, Cairns.
DON HILL
VICE CHAIR
Don has spent his entire working career in the aviation industry.
Joining TAA in 1981 as a First Officer, he went on to work for Compass Airlines in 1991, and in 2024 retired as a Boeing 787 Captain after 29 years of service with Qantas.
He has flown most Boeing and Airbus aircraft and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation. In 2009 Don led a team to re-construct the drive undertaken by Hudson Fysh and Paul McGinness from Longreach to Darwin in a Model T Ford. Authentically following the original route in QFOM’s own Model T, ‘Molly’, the team documented the trip with a television documentary that aired on ABC in Australia and overseas.
Nine years later, he again led a team, this time to repatriate parts from the only remaining Qantas Super Constellation left in the world, ‘Southern Horizon’ – a bombed out wreck in the Kuwaiti desert. Both projects being delivered on time and under budget.
Don has assisted on the Board of Qantas Foundation Memorial in different roles since 2015, including as a Director for8 years and as Deputy Chairperson for 3 years. Recently retired, Don still has a passion for aviation history and continues to pursue aviation heritage projects.
Currently he is working in partnership with QFM Director David Thiess, to return to running condition, the Sunbeam Dyak engine that once powered Qantas’ first aircraft, the AVRO 504K – G AUBG. He is supported by his wife Gaye, their 3children and 5 grandchildren and their exuberant chocolate Border Collie, Boots.
Tracey Cuttriss-Smith
DIRECTOR
Tracey is a seasoned professional with a rich career spanning over three decades. Her journey began in Central Queensland in the field of education and training with the Queensland Department of Education, where she dedicated 20 years to shaping young minds.
Transitioning into executive management, Tracey has since 2012 been at the helm of C-Res, serving as the CEO and leading four national Local Buying Foundations and their Advisory Committees. Her leadership at C-Res is marked by her ability to steer the organisation towards growth and success, always leading with a clear purpose.
Tracey is a proud Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of The CEO Institute. Her tertiary education background spans Education, Business, and Project Management, equipping her with a diverse skill set that she brings to her leadership roles.
Now residing in Emerald, Tracey has spent most of her life in Central Queensland. She is deeply committed to working in regional communities across Australia, forging strong connections and partnerships. Her goal is to enhance the resilience and sustainability of these communities by fostering robust regional businesses and
organisations.
Tracey’s unique capabilities extend to managing multi-million-dollar portfolios and collaborating with a range of entities across small businesses, large global corporates, Trusts, not-for-profits, and charities. Her expertise lies in governance, compliance, strategy, finance, people and culture, as well as risk management.
jane dionysius
DIRECTOR
Jane Dionysius is the Executive General Manager, People Culture & Governance at Brisbane Airport Corporation. She leads a multi-disciplinary team across Health, Safety and Environment, Legal Services, Company Secretariat, and Human Resources.
Jane joined BAC in January 2011 and has held various management roles within the organisation. Prior to joining BAC, Jane worked in multiple industries including professional services, retail, and transportation, in both the public and private sector.
In addition to her professional career, Jane is an active community member, with experience working on charity Boards.
Jane holds a Bachelor of Business Management from the University of Queensland and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Peter jacobs
DIRECTOR
Peter is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Taxation Law with approximately 30 years’ experience in the accounting industry. In his time as an accountant, he worked in a number of small firms before moving to the “Big6”. His areas of specialisation included taxation, superannuation and he worked with predominately small to medium business and high net worth individuals.
In 2008, he pursued a career change to the aviation industry which required him to become a commercial pilot. He was then successful in securing a position with Airlines PNG as a First Officer on the Twin Otter. He then progressed to the Dash 8 and then returned to the Twin Otter as a Captain. While at Airlines PNG, he also held a management position which utilised his accounting knowledge.
In 2012 he was successful in gaining a position as a First Office with QantasLink (QL) initially based in Mildura and subsequently Sydney. He remained with QL until Covid and resigned midway through the epidemic.
In 2016, he began consulting to the family which established a number of well know hospitality brands including the Bavarian Bier Cafes, The Cut & Sake.The role evolved into a CFO role which continues today. He also holds an honorary position as Advisor to the Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders(Core-Ed) which is a registered charity formed to advance research into eating disorders.
Peter’s hobbies include flying and fishing.
matthew Smith
DIRECTOR
Matthew Smith is a Queensland‑based senior executive with over 24 years’ experience working in public sector and government‑owned organisations. His background is in governance, financial stewardship, major infrastructure and asset portfolios, and supporting organisations to deliver long‑term value for their communities.
Matthew currently supports the Audit and Risk Committee in his current role, working closely with the Chair and other Senior Executives to ensure strong governance, clear oversight and sound decision‑making. He brings a disciplined, thoughtful approach to risk,compliance and financial management, developed through many years working in highly accountable public environments.
Previously, Matthew held senior leadership roles with Energy Queensland and Energex, where he provided strategic oversight of large‑scale infrastructure programs and public assets.He played a key role in the post‑merger integration of the organisation,applying robust governance to unite a large workforce and improve efficiency while maintaining community trust and organisational culture.
Matthew is motivated to support the Qantas Founders Museum because of its role in preserving and sharing Australia’s aviation heritage. He brings a calm,collaborative and purpose‑led approach to board service, with a strong focus on stewardship, sustainability and community trust, to support the Museum’s long‑term future for members, visitors and the broader community.
He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a Master of Business Administration, an Advanced Diploma in the Neuroscience of Leadership and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance. He approaches board service with a collaborative, calm and purpose‑led mindset.