Long-standing Board Directors celebrated

Recently retired Clifford Craig Foundation Board Directors Mr Mark Baker, Associate Professor Don McTaggart AM, Dr John Wettenhall OAM and Dr Jim Markos.

October 14, 2022

This week the Clifford Craig Foundation celebrated the achievements of four long-standing Directors, who all recently retired from our Board: Associate Professor Don McTaggart AM, Dr John Wettenhall OAM, Dr Jim Markos and Mr Mark Baker.

The Foundation is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors who are charged with making policy and exercising fiduciary responsibility for the organisation.

It is their leadership, expertise and commitment to our mission that has made the Clifford Craig Foundation what it is today.

Acknowledging their efforts, newly elected Chairman Dr John Batten AM thanked Don, John, Jim and Mark for their very valued contribution and many years of service.

Don McTaggart AM

Don is a well-respected Cardiologist in Launceston, and a significant researcher in his own right particularly into Obstructive Cardiomyopathy and was instrumental in establishing the Tasmanian Genetic Heart Registry.

Don joined the Clifford Craig Board in July 2006, became Chairman at the AGM 2007 - a position he held for 15 years.

Don would have Chaired 150 Board Meetings, 60 Research meetings and 40 Executive meetings.

He was inspired to create the “Run and Walk for your Heart” fundraising event which continues today.

Don received an “Order of Australia” for Medicine and Community”

The Clifford Craig Foundation intends to honour that legacy through the establishment of the MacTaggart Society.

Thank you, Don

Jim Markos

Jim is a Respiratory Physician, with a special interest in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Jim joined the Board in August 2012 and has a passion for this organisation.

Jim has been a long-term member of the Research Committee where his passion is clearly evident.

Jim has organised the Guest speakers for the Dare Shott Public lectures, The Gollan Lecture and the David Huish Memorial lecture. Jim has organised many amazing lecturers including two Nobel Laureates, Prof Peter Doherty and Prof Fiona Wood and many other inspiring speakers.

Jim’s enthusiasm will be missed on the Board but the benefit of his passion will be continue to be harnessed on the Research committee.

Thank you, Jim.

John Wettenhall OAM

John was a Gastroenterologist at the Launceston General Hospital for many years.

John joined the CCF Board in 2016, and has served on the Research Committee and the Patient Care Funding Committee which he chaired.

John’s interest in Viticulture enabled the CCF to use Grape picking as a fundraising activity. It should have perhaps expanded to tasting.

John has been passionately involved in “Care for Africa” through Rotary, for many years and his contribution was recognised by an Order of Australia, For service to the international community through water, sanitation and medical programs in 2020.

Thank you, John and we wish you and Anita well in the future

Mark Baker

Mark joined the CCF Board in 2015 while Editor of the Examiner Newspaper. Mark served a a lay member on the Research Committee and a member of the Executive Committee.

Mark always gave wise considered council, his commerce network and contacts invaluable to the organisation. Mark’s career outside CCF rapidly evolved becoming the Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Tasmanian Development Corporation and more recently the Executive Director, Northern Cities, in the Office of the Coordinator-General in Tasmania.

In 2021 he received the AICD’s “Tasmanian Emerging Director award”.

His talent is a great loss to the CCF Board but we thank Mark and wish him well for the future and I am sure our relationship will continue.