Board Members

Dr Bruce Foster
Chairman

Currently Deputy Director of Dept of Orthopaedic
Surgery at Women’s & Children’s Hospital, SA (appointed in 1983).

Clinical Associate Professor of Depts of Paediatrics and Orthopaedic Surgery at University of Adelaide.
Lecturer at Flinders University of SA.

Has over 50 articles published in peer reviewed journals/texts. His clinical interests include Limb lengthening, Physeal Surgery, Hip Surgery for DDH, Spinal Surgery for Scoliosis, Sport injuries in Children, Rural clinical outreach services.

Bruce is married to Penny, an Anaesthetic Pain Specialist and has two children, Anna and Lily.

Dr Liz Thompson

Liz qualified in medicine in Adelaide in 1977, then specialised in paediatrics in Adelaide and Perth, qualifying as a paediatrician in 1983. In 1983 Liz and her husband moved to London where she trained in medical genetics at Great Ormond Hospital for Sick Children.

Here she undertook a study of severe osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones) and saw more than 120 people with this condition all over England, Wales and Scotland. This work was the subject of her MD thesis.

In 1988 Liz became a consultant in clinical genetics, continuing to work in London until returning to Adelaide in 1993, now with two children. Liz currently works part time as a clinical geneticist, consulting with people who have a family history of an inherited condition and want to know if they or their children could develop it.

Dr Foster and Dr Thompson currently run the bone dysplasia clinic monthly, dealing particularly with children with short stature.

Ms Wendy Barry

After graduating in 1985 with a degree in Communications (Public Relations). Wendy worked for 10 years in public relations, marketing, event management and fundraising before studying
Law at Adelaide University.

She is currently a partner with law firm Nicholls Gervasi. Wendy joined the Bone Growth Foundation Board in January 2002, after successfully coordinating the 2000 and 2001 Celebrity Tennis Challenge.

Mr Geoff Bell
BA (Accting); Dip Business (Accting); FCA

Geoff operates his own specialist business advisory/accountancy practice, Bell & Associates.His business has been established for many years. Geoff has a sound background in accounting, taxation, banking and management. Qualifications Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia.

Mr Phil Calvert

Phil is Manager of Physiotherapy at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital as well having a project management role with the SA Burns Service. In addition, he consults at a private physiotherapy practice for children in North Adelaide. In these roles, Phil has worked closely with the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the WCH in the management of children with a variety of bone and joint conditions.

Phil has extensive experience in the charitable sector in Adelaide, and is excited about being a Board Member of the Bone Growth Foundation, which he commenced in late 2008.

Phil is married to Marni, and is a passionate supporter of the St Kilda footy club.

Ms Belinda Grant

Belinda is a solicitor and has been a partner at Kelly & Co Lawyers since 1993. She also is a graduate of the Company Directors Diploma and has extensive commercial experience as result of her work on a number of Boards and Panels.

Mr Robert Brigden

Bob has spent most of his working life in the motor vehicle industry. He has spent the last 32 years with Adtrans Group and after recently returning from 5 years in Sydney is the Manager of the Internal Audit team.

He is a member of the Rotary Club of Norwood as well as a Past President of the Club and is currently an Assistant Governor for the District.

Bob enjoys his sport and still plays Golf and Cricket. He is a board member of the International Fellowship of Cricketing Rotarians which allows him to still play cricket against players of his own age and ability. Bob is married to Sally and has 2 adult children with all members of the family having been involved with the Bone Growth Foundation in various capacities since 1998.

Mr Derek Butler

Derek has spent a good part of his working life communicating through visual means. After completing a degree in Graphic Design, Derek quickly established an impressive reputation for
designing creative and effective brand identities
and packaging.

Derek runs his own studio – Black Squid Design, and his philosophy in design is to come up with innovative ideas with the element of surprise – an approach which has underpinned Derek’s success as both graphic designer and Creative Director.

Derek is an active member of the Australian Graphic Design Association and has been on National and State Councils of the Association.

Mr Michael Murphy

Michael is the Principal of Murphy Financial Solutions Pty Ltd, a Financial Services Practice which has spanned the past 23 years. Prior to commencing that business, Michael was in various contract marketing development roles from around about 1974.

Michael has always had an interest in various aspects of community service.  

Since being involved in the financial services industry, Michael have served on national committees in various roles and assumed the role of National President of the Association of Financial Advisers in 2002. We have forged a very successful partnership with MS Research Australia and have recently established a Foundation to assist in funding research and other institutional causes.

Michael has recently divested part of his business and feels, although mostly spent; there is still a spark for some community service and the opportunity to assist in expanding the Bone Growth Foundation national appeals.

“I look forward to making a contribution”.