Catalysing a collective contribution, the Foundation’s contribution 

The antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi was a stark reminder that social cohesion is not abstract. It is reflected in how people relate to one another, how institutions respond under pressure, and how confident communities feel participating in public life.  

Moments like this call for leadership, not only from governments and public institutions, but from organisations and individuals across society. They ask us to consider our responsibility to one another, and how we uphold a shared sense of humanity and the greater good. 

With support from the Scanlon Foundation, the Menzies Leadership Foundation convened a diverse group of organisations to explore a collective contribution. The organisations share a conviction that the rise of antisemitism is not a challenge confined to the Jewish community; it is a national problem that calls on all Australians to uphold the integrity of our institutions, strengthen our social cohesion and protect the principle of a fair go for every Australian. 

Through workshops ably facilitated by Tanck Consulting, the collective was first grounded in the Jewish Community Council of Victoria’s experience of antisemitism and social cohesion. Each participant then brought their own perspectives, priorities and areas of expertise to bear. The process prioritised constructive engagement across difference, clarity over forced consensus and respect for the independence of each organisation. The resulting joint submission demonstrates that more considered contributions can emerge when different perspectives are engaged directly rather than developed in isolation. 

Extending the collective contribution: the Foundation’s submission 

The Menzies Leadership Foundation has also released its own individual submission. This endorses and extends the joint contribution with emerging insights from its broader civility work. 

Conditions for Civility: An Architecture for Repairing Australian Social Cohesion at Scale argues that addressing antisemitism must become a responsibility carried by every Australian, supported by credible ways to act within their communities and everyday lives. 

The Foundation’s submission introduces a Civility Conditions Framework and proposes action across personal, interpersonal, community and systemic levels. 

Its recommendations include strengthening civic literacy and the capacity for brave conversations, activating ordinary Australians, supporting place-based civility infrastructure, improving collaboration between community institutions and law enforcement, and exploring a National Civility Endowment to help sustain the work at scale. 

These proposals are offered as an extension of the collective contribution, not as a substitute for it. 

Read the Menzies Leadership Foundation individual submission here 

At the Menzies Leadership Foundation, we believe leadership is a shared responsibility, and that social cohesion is something all of us build, protect and repair together. Our mission is to strengthen the conditions for civility across Australian life: activating ordinary Australians, supporting brave conversations, and helping communities and institutions work better together.

This submission is one part of that ongoing work. There is much more to come, and we’d love for you to be part of it.

Follow and engage with the Foundation to stay up to date with our civility work, future contributions and opportunities to get involved.

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Natasha Eskinja

Digital Communications Coordinator

Natasha is driven by a profound passion for both creativity and analytics, a synergy that fosters authentic storytelling in the digital realm with both innovation and integrity. 

Throughout her career, she has consistently integrated the overarching marketing and communications narrative with the emotional connections of audiences. She is currently pursuing a Certificate in Society and the Individual from Flinders University, furthering her exploration of human behaviour and the critical importance of connectedness between organisations, individuals, and communities.

LinkedIn | natasha.eskinja@menziesfoundation.org.au

Sarah Jenkins

Strategic Communications Manager

Sarah has more than 18 years’ experience in communications and marketing leadership across a range of sectors.

Communications strategy and organisational growth is a continuing theme in Sarah’s career. Most recently, she leads the development of a Leadership Movement, evaluated by Menzies Viral Co-efficient Model; a contribution to the NFP. 

Sarah’s early career centred around best practice in marketing and communications which later culminated into the establishment of her very own agency. This work extensively spanned across PR, traditional media, event management, strategy, digital marketing, graphic design and business development consultancy. 

In 2019, Sarah joined the lean and robust team at the Menzies Foundation. She has since crafted the Foundation’s narrative and communication strategy. The development of this strategic communications platform is essential for ‘movement building’ and requires a strong strategic, management and communication skills set. Sarah has brought so much to this important work, which sits at the forefront of communication practice. 

Sarah continues to contribute to the NFP sector through her commitment to Purpose; as she reflects on her own leadership, builds her own leadership capability and contributes to the greater good. 

LinkedIn | sarah.jenkins@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0401 880 071

Rohan Martyres

Director, Strategy and Partnerships

Rohan has 15 years’ experience in facilitating cross-sector collaborations to address complex social and health challenges.  He has worked with the World Economic Forum in Australia, led an international conflict resolution field team in Nepal, and directed a 10-year £40m initiative to reduce health inequity in London.

Most recently, Rohan was Major Grants Development Manager at the Ian Potter Foundation.  He refined the foundation’s major grants strategy, and co-developed a series of large scale initiatives, including joint philanthropic-government funding for a new national organization to support place-based approaches across Australia.

Rohan has held several non-executive roles, including with an international NGO and with London Funders, the peak body of independent foundations in London.  He holds several qualifications including a graduate degree in innovation and strategy from the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

When Rohan isn’t exploring Melbourne’s creeks with his partner and 6yo daughter, he’s working on his currently weak Australian accent (after 15 years in the UK).

LinkedIn | rohan.martyres@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0404 505 954

Trudy Morrison

Operations Manager

A marketing and communications specialist with over 20 years experience in government, corporate and consumer marketing, Trudy brings her adaptive and organisational project management skills to the Menzies Foundation team. 

With a BA degree in Public Relations, Trudy began her career with the City of Melbourne and in magazine publishing, before moving into marketing communications consulting. She has worked in strategic marketing leadership roles with retail brands and enjoys juggling many projects and tasks simultaneously. Her skills were further enhanced when managing her own communications business representing industries across private education, financial services, aviation, government and the health industry. 

Trudy is passionate about leadership and all people being encouraged to reach their full potential through research and educational initiatives and opportunities throughout Australia. A skilled and accomplished writer and editor Trudy is enthusiastic about bringing her variety of skills to the Menzies Foundation team. 

LinkedIn | trudy.morrison@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0402 361 878

Liz Gillies

Chief Executive Officer

Liz Gillies has had over 25 years experience in a range of fields focused on initiatives for social impact. She has held roles in multiple sectors and academia.

In 2018, Liz was appointed CEO of the Menzies Foundation which aspires to build a leadership movement that supports Australians to pivot to purpose, build their leadership capability and contribute to the ‘greater good’.

Liz joined the Melbourne Business School in 2009 and was instrumental in establishing the Asia Pacific Social Impact Centre (APSIC) and The Centre for Ethical Leadership. In November 2011 she was appointed as research fellow to lead a partnership focused on strategic philanthropy which culminated in the release of the reports: Philanthropy: Towards a Better Practice Model (2018) and the Philanthropy: The Continued Journey to Real Impact and better Practice (2021).

Liz has extensive governance experience, having served on the Board of the Publish Galleries Association of Victoria, Social Firms Australia, Uniting Care Community Options, United Way Australia and the Development Committee of the Towards a Just Society Foundation. She is currently on the Philanthropy Reference Group of Barmal Bijiril and a Director of Philanthropy Australia.

LinkedIn | liz.gillies@menziesfoundation.org.au | 0416 112 703

Natasha Eskinja

Digital Communications Coordinator

Natasha is driven by a profound passion for both creativity and analytics, a synergy that fosters authentic storytelling in the digital realm with both innovation and integrity. 

Throughout her career, she has consistently integrated the overarching marketing and communications narrative with the emotional connections of audiences. She is currently pursuing a Certificate in Society and the Individual from Flinders University, furthering her exploration of human behaviour and the critical importance of connectedness between organisations, individuals, and communities.

natasha.eskinja@menziesfoundation.org.au