Jamila is author of the best-selling Not Just Lucky, a career manifesto for millennial women and The Motherhood, an anthology of letters about life with a newborn, both published by Penguin. She is currently working on her third book, with author Rosie Waterland, about the intersections of physical and mental health.
Jamila is Editor-at-Large of the Nine Network’s Future Women, host of their weekly podcast and a columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. She is also a regular commentator on The Project, Today, The Drum, Q and A, an occasional host on ABC Radio Melbourne.
Jamila is author of the best-selling Not Just Lucky, a career manifesto for millennial women and The Motherhood, an anthology of letters about life with a newborn, both published by Penguin. She is currently working on her third book, with author Rosie Waterland, about the intersections of physical and mental health.
Jamila is Editor-at-Large of the Nine Network’s Future Women, host of their weekly podcast and a columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. She is also a regular commentator on The Project, Today, The Drum, Q and A, an occasional host on ABC Radio Melbourne.
Jamila is the co-founder of the popular event series Tea with Jam and Clare, which attracts an audience of thousands each year. She previously worked in politics for the Rudd and Gillard Governments, advising on issues including media, women, child care, and employment.
Jamila is an Ambassador for CARE Australia and board member of the Melbourne Writers’ Festival. She has been named as one of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review.
Jamila shared her story at The Royal Melbourne Hospital Neuroscience Foundation 26th Annual Gala Ball & Auction 2019, and now supports the Foundation as the newest Ambassador.
Mr Anthony Howard AM KC is married to the Governor of Victoria, the Hon. Linda Dessau AC. He was born in Melbourne and educated at Xavier College. He graduated with Bachelors of Laws and Jurisprudence from Monash University, and a Diploma of Criminology from the University of Melbourne.
In 1973, Mr Howard was articled to Frank Galbally CBE in the firm of Galbally and O’Bryan where he then worked as a solicitor before signing the Victorian Bar Roll in 1975. At the Bar he read with John Walker KC, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1992.
Other than almost three years in Hong Kong where, with the Governor, Mr Howard was prosecuting criminal trials in
the Attorney-General’s Chambers from 1982 to 1985, he remained at the Victorian Bar, specialising in criminal law, until his appointment as a Judge of the County Court of Victoria in October 2006.
Mr Howard was actively involved in the life of the Victorian Bar. He was Chair of his list of barristers, and was a member of the Bar Council from 2001 to 2004. He chaired the Legal Assistance Committee (the Bar’s pro bono legal service), contributed to the development of the Equal Opportunity Briefing Policy to promote the advancement of women advocates, and chaired a committee to create a dining and networking space for members of the Bar and a committee to assist new barristers as they started out in their careers.
As a Judge of the County Court, Mr Howard was, at different times, a member of the Court’s Executive and Management Committees and chaired the Media and Communication Committee. He was also a member of the Bar’s Indigenous Lawyers’ Mentoring Program. Mr Howard retired as a Judge of the County Court in late 2016.
Mr Howard has also been involved in various community and not-for-profit organisations, including as a Trustee of the Royal Melbourne Hospital Neuroscience Foundation for 10 years, founding Chair of the Essendon Football Club Lawdons coterie and as a Board member of the youth mentoring organisation Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Mr Howard was made a Member of the Order of Australia on 26 January 2019 for significant service to the law, to the judiciary, to professional standards, and to the community of Victoria.
The Governor and Mr Howard married in 1982 and have two sons, both of whom graduated from Monash University with Bachelors of Law and Art.
The Royal Melbourne Hospital Neuroscience Foundation welcomes two new Ambassadors
The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) Neuroscience Foundation is excited to announce two new Ambassadors to support the vital work of the Foundation.
These are the well-known author, presenter and brain tumour survivor, Jamila Rizvi, and performer, presenter, and veteran MC, Denis Walter OAM.
Denis has hosted The RMH Neuroscience Foundation Annual Gala Ball & Auction since 1996, and continues to donate his time voluntarily each year.
Jamila, a first-time guest speaker at the 26th Annual Gala Ball & Auction in 2019 - which raised over $298,000 - will continue to support The RMH Neuroscience Foundation with an ongoing role.
“A brain tumour diagnosis is an indescribable shock but truly, it’s only the beginning of a long and difficult shift emotionally, physically and mentally. Medical research holds the key to a better life and better survival outcomes for people like me and it’s an honour to take on this ambassadorial role.”
The RMH Neuroscience Foundation raises funds for vital research into the prevention and treatment of brain tumour, spinal cord and neuromuscular diseases, conducted at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The University of Melbourne.
“We are excited and thankful to have both Jamila and Denis as official Ambassadors of the Foundation,” Foundation Chair, Mr Jonathan Tribe, said. “The research we are able to fund thanks to the generosity of our supporters and our ambassadors, gives us a great opportunity to make a strong positive impact on life threatening neurological diseases and conditions.”
Further information on Jamila and Denis can be found under Ambassadors.
The 27th Annual Gala Ball & Auction is unable to proceed in 2020, due to the response required to slow the progression of COVID-19, which was due to be hosted by Ambassador and MC Denis Walter, with Ambassador Jamila Rizvi in attendance, as well as regular guests HE the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria, and Foundation Patron, Mr Anthony Howard AM KC.
Neuroscience research and clinical work continues at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and the Foundation, more than ever, needs support from its donors and sponsors to continue this vital work.
To make a donation in lieu of the Ball, please CLICK HERE.
The Royal Melbourne Hospital Neuroscience Foundation
RMH Neuroscience Foundation
PO Box 2116
Royal Melbourne Hospital VIC 3050
In the spirit of reconciliation, the Royal Melbourne Hospital Neuroscience Foundation acknowledges the Kulin nations as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our services are located. We are committed to improving the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as with all Australians.