About the Foundation

Our mission

The McCusker Charitable Foundation was established for charitable purposes with a specific focus on improving health and supporting medical research in Western Australia.

Objectives

The McCusker Charitable Foundation’s primary objective is to support Medical Research and the Advancement of Science.

Secondary objectives include:

  • Youth development and assistance.
  • Support for the aged and infirm.
  • Agricultural research.
  • Support for the arts.

Board of Directors

Malcolm McCusker
AC CVO KC
Director and Chairman

Tonya McCusker AM
Director and Administrator

James Tonnison
Director

Judge Denis Reynolds AM
Director

Mark Bellini
Director

Malcolm McCusker
AC CVO KC
Director and Chairman

Malcolm was educated at Perth Modern School, graduated from the University of Western Australia Law School and was appointed King’s Counsel in 1982. He was Chairman of the Legal Aid Commission of WA (1983-2011), Chairman of the Advisory Board WA Constitutional Centre (1997-2011) and was the inaugural Parliamentary Inspector, Corruption and Crime Commission (2004-2008). He was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia (2012), WA Citizen of the Year (2005 and 2012) and Australian of the Year – WA (2010). He has received Honorary Doctorates from UWA, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University and Zhejiang University. Malcolm has been patron of many organisations, was Chairman of WA Health Translation Network and Law Access and a director of the Minderoo Foundation and Australian Wildlife Conservancy. Malcolm was Governor of Western Australia from 2011 to 2014 and still practises as a lawyer.

Tonya McCusker AM
Director and Administrator

Tonya, Malcolm’s wife, was educated at Applecross SHS, the School of Isolated and Distance Education, and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (UWA) and from Henley Management College (UK) with a Graduate Diploma in Management. Tonya was a classical ballerina dancing in Monte Carlo, Hong Kong and with the Australian Ballet Company. She was also Business Development Manager with the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation and Fremantle Chamber of Commerce. She has been patron of many charities and a director of the Minderoo Foundation, Celebrate WA, the Australian Ballet Foundation and Channel 7 Telethon Trust. She is an Ambassador for Children (WA Office for Children and Young People) and is the Administrator of the McCusker Charitable Foundation.

James Tonnison
Director

James was educated at Christ Church Grammar School. He graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mathematics and a Masters of Engineering with Distinction. He joined Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN) in 2020, progressing from project engineering roles across major lithium processing operations to his current position as Senior Analyst in Corporate Development, where he works on transactions, joint ventures and strategic investments in the resources sector. He has achieved his CFA Level I qualification. James is a committed community volunteer with engagement spanning Ronald McDonald House Charities WA, Foodbank Western Australia, Lifeline, Uni Camp for Kids, as well as overseas experience with UNICEF in Kenya, Tanzania and Timor-Leste.

Judge Denis Reynolds AM
Director

Denis graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Law. He practised in the Legal Profession in Perth before being appointed a Magistrate (1984), Commissioner of the District Court (1997) and was President of the Children’s Court of WA and a Senior Judge of the District Court of WA (2004-2018).

Denis was awarded Western Australian Citizen of the Year (2012) and is an Ambassador for Children and Young People (WA Office for Children and Young People). Denis is active in the areas of addressing youth injustice and related social issues.

Mark Bellini
Director

Mark was educated at Hale School and graduated from Curtin University (Economics and Finance) with a Certificate IV in Accounting. He worked in the finance industry with JBWere (2011) and Blackswan Equities (2012-2015) before accepting the position of Investment Manager with McCusker Holdings Pty Ltd. Mark was a state representative in AFL and Athletics and coaches Wembley Football Club.