Prince Philip Study Conference Alumni Panel Presentation

The Commonwealth Study Conference (CSC) was founded in 1956 by HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in the United Kingdom. It set out to provide an opportunity for people from all over the Commonwealth and all walks of life to leave behind their usual roles and take part in an “extraordinary experiment”. Several distinguished Western Australians have taken part in the CSC program and are joining Mannkal to share their experiences and provide insights for the next generation of leaders.

Mannkal welcomes Dr Vanessa Guthrie and Mr Dermot Ryan who will join Mr Ron Manners for a presentation on their participation in the CSC and how it helped shape their formidable careers. Mr Neil Smithson, also a CSC alumnus, will be the moderator. This is your chance to hear directly from four prominent figures in WA’s business sector!

“Without Prince Philip’s ‘short, sharp, learning experiences.’ there would be no Mannkal Foundation Outgoing Student Program” – Ron Manners

About the speakers:
Dr Vanessa Guthrie Hon DSc, PhD, BSc (Hons), Dip. Nat. Res., Dip. Bus. Mgt., Dip. Comm. Res. Law, MAICD FTSE
Dr Vanessa Guthrie is a highly accomplished Executive and Director with a career spanning 30 years in the resources sector, in diverse roles across gold, base metals, aluminium, oil and gas and uranium projects and operations. Vanessa has qualifications in geology, environment, law and business management including a PhD in Geology. She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science from Curtin University in 2017 for her contribution to sustainability, innovation and policy leadership in the resources industry. Vanessa was the MD & CEO of ASX-listed ToroEnergy, and is currently Chair of the Minerals Council of Australia, Deputy Chair of the WACA, a Non-Executive Director of Santos Ltd and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and Council Member of Curtin University. She is an active member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Chief Executive Women (CEW), and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE). In 2013, Vanessa was recognised by the mining industry as the Outstanding Professional Woman from the WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy and was one of the world’s Top 100 list of inspirational women in mining globally.

Mr Dermot Ryan B.Ap.Sc (Geol), FAusIMM, CP (Geo), FAIG, MAICD
Mr Dermot Ryan is a geologist and company director with over 40 years’ experience in the discovery and successful development of gold, base metals, iron ore, diamond and uranium deposits. He spent 20 years with the CRA (Rio Tinto) group of companies, including ten years as Chief Geologist for CRA Exploration in various parts of Australia and was then GM Exploration for Great Central Mines/Normandy Yandal Operations and three other ASX listed companies in the 5-year period up to 2001. From 2001 to 2008, Dermot was the principal geological consultant to Mr Mark Creasy, generating mineral exploration projects in Western Australia. In 2008, Dermot ASX listed his own mineral exploration company, Enterprise Metals Ltd, and subsequently in 2012 listed Enterprise Uranium Ltd. He is currently Managing Director of ASX listed Alto Metals Ltd and Enterprise Metals Ltd.

Mr Ron Manners FAusIMM, FAICD
Mr Ron Manners is the Managing Director of the Mannwest Group. He is also an Advisory Council Member of the Atlas Network, Washington DC. He is a Fellow of both the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His contributions to industry and Australia have been marked by several awards. Ron is the Founder and Chairman of the Mannkal Economic Education Foundation.

About the moderator:
Mr Neil Smithson (MA Urban Studies, Curtin) is the Managing Director of Smithson Planning based in Perth, and now focuses on regional economic development within Australia and internationally – basically making proposals work with people, politics, economy and the environment. Neil has previously undertaken work for the United Nations Development Program, with federal and state government agencies, and in local government as the Manager Business Development with Mildura Rural City, and City Development Planner at Melville City, and private consultancy as a project manager for two of Australia’s leading engineering groups. Neil attended the Sydney CSC Australia & New Zealand conference in 2003, and also attended as an alumnus the 50th Reunion CSC in London, and the New Delhi CSC India conference in 2007.