ABAW Business Excellence Award Panellists
Adjunct Professor David Plunkett, Chief Executive, Eastern Health
David Plunkett brings extensive executive and senior management experience spanning both the Public and Private Health Sectors. Starting his career as a Registered Nurse, he joined Eastern Health in 2002. Throughout his tenure, David has held pivotal roles, including Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer and Executive Director Acute Health. Since September 2016, he has served as Chief Executive of Eastern Health, a prominent public healthcare service in Melbourne's Eastern suburbs, employing over 11,000 staff across multiple sites.
David holds a Master of Business Administration and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Previously, he served as a surveyor with the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. Additionally, David is actively involved in the Eastern Metropolitan Partnership and the Lilydale Revitalisation Board. He holds prestigious roles as a Fellow, President, and Board Director of the Australian College of Nursing.
Mr. Grant Radford, Chief Executive, Box Hill Institute (BHI)
Grant Radford started as Chief Executive Officer at Box Hill Institute (BHI) in mid 2022. Bringing with him over a decade of people-focused leadership experience across the TAFE sector.
Mr Radford has spent more than 25 years in the public sector including executive and management roles at the Department of Defence, Department of Education, and the Department of Treasury and Finance. His experience in the vocational education sector includes appointments at Chisholm Institute as Chief Operating Officer and as the Chief Executive Officer at TAFE Gippsland for four years.
Mr Radford is a passionate believer in the transformative power of secondary, vocational and higher education; particularly the role organisations like BHI play in enriching the life and career prospects of learners and building closer ties with industry and the communities we serve.
Ms. Michelle Stanic, Director of Music (Retired), Trinity Grammar School
Michelle Stanic is a highly respected music educator with over 40 years of experience. Having taught all levels of classroom music since 1981, Michelle recently retired after 35 years at Trinity Grammar School, Kew, where she served as Director of Music. Throughout her career, she has played a variety of instruments and performed with numerous orchestras and societies, including the Melbourne and Monash University Engineering Orchestras, Pro Musica, Stagestruck Productions, and the Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
In 2019, Michelle was honored with a Lyrebird Award for Best Musical Director for the Trinity/Ruyton production of Les Miserables. A passionate advocate for diverse musical styles, she enjoys classical, jazz, country, film, stage musicals, and world music. Since retiring from full-time teaching, Michelle has been sought after as an adjudicator for many school and community competitions, festivals, and special events.
Councillor Andrew Davenport, Mayor, City of Whitehorse
Andrew Davenport is an experienced executive leader with a strong background in business-shared services, delivering strategic and commercial outcomes across complex organisational environments. His leadership spans key areas including Commercial & Contract Management, Human Resources, Safety, Procurement, Legal, Risk, IT Security, and Facilities Management.
Over his career, Andrew has held a diverse range of governance and leadership roles, including Company Secretary, Non-Executive Board Member, Local Government Councillor, Mayor, Committee Chair, and General Manager. He is widely recognised for his commitment to building high-performing teams, driving operational efficiency, and delivering value to both internal and external stakeholders.
A long-standing resident of the City of Whitehorse for over 19 years, Andrew is deeply engaged in community service and civic leadership. He has been a strong advocate for local business support, sustainability, community safety, and infrastructure development. He is an active member of several local organisations, including the Box Hill Hawks Football Club, Freemasons Victoria, Bennettswood Bowling Club, Lions Club of Box Hill Silk Road, and Box Hill United Soccer Club.
Ms. Debbie Dunwoody, Principal, Camberwell Girls Grammar School
Debbie has over 35 years of experience in educational leadership, passionate about developing curious, courageous learners who value excellence and innovation. She is committed to holistic education that prepares students for the future and fosters system change. Debbie also prioritizes creating a workplace culture that supports staff growth, particularly emerging leaders.
Debbie has served as Principal at Methodist Ladies College (MLC) and Camberwell Girls Grammar School. She is President of Anglican Schools Australia, on the Board of Independent Schools Victoria, and a former Vice President of Girls Sport Victoria. She is also a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group for the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne.
Throughout her career, Debbie has held various leadership roles, including Head of Science at Wesley College, where she launched a Scientist-In-Residence program. As Director of MLC Marshmead, she was the first female appointed to a leadership role in a remote location and developed programs with a remote Indigenous community.
Debbie considers it a privilege to serve students, staff, and families.
Associate Professor Dixon Woon, President, Australian Chinese Medical Association of Victoria (ACMAV)
Associate Professor Dixon Woon is a consultant urologist at Eastern Health, Austin Health, and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Victoria, Australia. He holds an academic appointment as Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at Monash University.
Dixon is the Deputy Leader of the USANZ Genitourinary Oncology Special Advisory Group and the Urology Lead for the Victoria Complex Onco-Vascular Group (VCOG) at Austin Health.He completed his Doctor of Medical Science at the University of Melbourne in 2018, focusing on prostate cancer immunology, and subsequently undertook a prestigious Society of Urologic Oncology Fellowship at the University of Toronto and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in 2019. Dixon's clinical and academic interests include robotic surgery, complex uro-oncology, prostate cancer biomarkers, and surgical equity. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles, secured more than $300,000 in research funding, and presented at major national and international conferences. He currently supervises four higher-degree research students and leads or collaborates on multiple clinical trials.
He also serves as President of the Australian Chinese Medical Association Victoria (ACMAV), where he advocates for cultural inclusion, education, and health equity
Ms. Linda Black, School Manager, Deakin Law School
Ms. Linda Black is an experienced higher education professional with a strong track record in law school operations and academic administration. As School Manager at Deakin Law School, she leads strategic planning, resource management, and stakeholder engagement, supporting the delivery of high-quality legal education and research.
With a background in educational leadership and governance, she has played a key role in expanding Deakin’s international mooting programs, including the Alfred Deakin International Commercial Arbitration Moot, which offers students valuable global advocacy experience. Her efforts have enhanced the school’s national and international profile.
She received the Deakin Faculty of Business and Law Professional Staff Award for Innovation for developing a compliance tool that enabled community organisations to retain tax-free status—demonstrating her impact beyond academia.
Linda also supports curriculum development and strategic initiatives as a member of the Deakin Law School Advisory Board. Her leadership helps align the school’s programs with evolving industry needs and global standards.