AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick today announced the appointments of Justice Linda Dessau and Christopher Lynch to the AFL Commission.

Justice Dessau is President of the Essendon Women’s Network.
 
They will join the AFL Commission at the AFL's AGM in March 2008, and were announced to the meeting of the 16 club presidents in Melbourne today, after an extensive search process through much of this year. They will fill the vacancies left by the impending retirement of Colin Carter and the passing of former Chairman Ron Evans.

""It is with great pleasure that I announce today that Justice Linda Dessau and Christopher Lynch have been nominated as AFL Commissioners-elect, to be confirmed formally at the AGM next year,"" Mr Fitzpatrick said.

""Justice Dessau has wide experience in the law, as a barrister and prosecutor before working as a magistrate and judge. Christopher has worked extensively in a number of senior positions in the business world, since his time as a player at Geelong in the 1970s, and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Transurban earlier this year.

""Their skills and experience will complement our current Commission and will ensure that we are able to continue to meet the challenges in front of us,"" he said.

The appointments were recommended to the AFL Commission by a sub-committee consisting of Mr Fitzpatrick (chairman, AFL Commission Chairman), Bill Sanders (Adelaide FC Chairman),
Frank Costa (Geelong FC President) and Graeme John (AFL Commissioner).
 

“It is an honour to be able to contribute to a game that is so central to the Australian community,” Ms Dessau said. 

“I have loved the game since I was a kid and I have been integrally involved at Club level, having started the Essendon Women's Network more than 10 years ago, continue as President of the network today, and have worked with other Clubs to promote their own women supporter groups.
 
""And, I have watched my own kids and participated through Auskick, school football and amateur football.”

 

“The role of AFL Commissioner gives me the opportunity to bring together my professional involvement with the Australian community and my long and varied experiences with football to work with the Commissioners and the staff of the AFL to guide the future growth of the sport on behalf of the many millions of fans who are the foundation of our great game”

 
CV details for both new commissioners:

JUSTICE LINDA DESSAU

1995 – current - Appointed as a Justice of the Family Court of Australia.

1987-1995 – Children’s Court Magistrate, Coroner and Magistrate

1975-1987 – Barrister/Prosecutor.

Non-executive directorships:

· Vice-President, Wesley College from 1997 - 2007

1 Selection panel member Churchill Fellowship since 2000. Ms. Dessau received a Churchill Fellowship about 10 years ago when she considered ways of reducing costs and delays in the Criminal Court system.

2 Patron One Umbrella since 2000.

3 Epilepsy Foundation since 2000

4 Essendon F.C. Women’s Network since 1998.

Football involvement.

Initiated the concept of the Essendon Women’s Network after making contact with CEO Peter Jackson, and continues today as the inaugural President. Network now has more than 700 members. Has also assisted other clubs to establish women’s networks.

CHRISTOPHER LYNCH

Transurban

2007 – appointedChief Executive Officer elect.

BHP Billiton

2006-2007 – Group President & Executive Director, Carbon Steel Materials.

2001-2006 – Chief Financial Officer & Executive Director.

2000-2001 – Chief Financial Officer, BHP Mineral Holdings

Alcoa Inc.

1999-2000 – Vice-President & Chief Information Officer, USA.

1997-1999 – Chief Financial Officer, Europe & Switzerland.

1996-1997 – Managing Director, Kaal Australia.

1994-1996 – General Manager, Alcoa Rolled Products of Australia.

1992-1994 – Financial Risk & Treasury Operations Manager, USA.

1988-1991 – Corporate Accounting Manager/Controller.

Universal Waldeck

1987 – General Manager, Finance & Administration.

Alcoa World Alumina Australia

1979-1986 – various management roles.

Accountant 1975-1979.

Football involvement:

Played five senior games for Geelong between 1972-74.

Played two years with Broken Hill before moving to Victoria.

Two years with Werribee in VFA Division 2 after Geelong F.C.

Two years with St. Mary’s F.C. in Geelong District Football League after Werribee.