As part of the 2015 celebrations of Melbourne and Boston's 30 year sister cities relationship, the MBSCA has named a number of leaders connected with both cities as Melbourne Boston 30 Year Ambassadors.
This page features profiles the Melbourne Boston 30 Year Ambassadors and their connections with the two cities.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bob Anderson2010 Hugh Rogers Fellow,ImmusanT |
Lauren Ayton2013 Hugh Rogers Fellow,Centre for Eye Research Australia |
Amanda CaplesVictorian Government |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Sue Dahn Pitcher Partners |
Susan de Weger2014 Hugh Rogers Fellow,French Horn Player |
John W.H. Denton AOCorrs Chambers Westgarth |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Sara James NBC Universal |
Xenia Hanusiak2011 Hugh Rogers Fellow,Visiting Scholar, Columbia University |
Christine Healey2013 Hugh Rogers Fellow,Shrine of Remembrance |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Andrea Hull AO VCA and MCM |
Nerida Mellerick 2013 Hugh Rogers Fellow, Clifton Hill Primary School |
Emily Rochette 2014 Hugh Rogers Fellow, Melbourne Girls' College |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Peter Rogers International Consultants Centre |
Michael Rowland ABC News |
Helen Steel Co-Chair, MBSCA |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Natalie Thorne 2014 Hugh Rogers Fellow, Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance |
Robert Trenberth AM Co-Chair, MBSCA |
Gemma Turvey 2014 Hugh Rogers Fellow, New Palm Court Orchestra |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Leonie Walsh Lead Scientist of Victoria |
Peter Yates AM Myer Family Investments |
Lauren Ayton
Centre for Eye Research Australia
My time as a Hugh Rogers Fellow in Boston in 2014 was one of the most rewarding in my career – I was able to spend two months working with my collaborator Professor Joseph Rizzo at Harvard on our work, and formed new collaborations and friendships. Boston is one of my favourite places in the world, and reminded me of Melbourne in so many ways. It is clear why they are sister cities, and I believe the strong relationship between them will continue to flourish over the years.
Sue Dahn
Pitcher Partners
The strong connection between Melbourne and Boston is felt in the shape and feel of the cities and, in particular, their educational institutions. My time at Harvard University rivals my time at Melbourne University for inspirational teaching and learning.
Nerida Mellerick was awarded the 2012 Hugh Rogers Fellowship for her interest in pursuing research in the field of Gifted and Talented education. She holds a Bachelor of Education from The University of Melbourne and works at Clifton Hill Primary School. Nerida’s time in Cambridge at Harvard University led her to a greater understanding of how to provide Gifted and Talented students with the complexity and challenge that they require. Nerida has since pursued her interest in a 21st century ‘understanding based’ curriculum, allowing her students to grapple with complexity whilst sustaining engagement.
As Nerida visited Boston shortly after the Boston bombing terrorist attack in 2013, she witnessed an entire city in a time of change, resolve and incredible strength – the motto of ‘Boston strong’ truly captured the feeling of the time. She remembers Boston as being “a city steeped in history but very much living in the present”. Nerida was particularly impressed by Boston’s architecture and the complementary nature of the old and new. Whilst in Boston Nerida applied her learning at Harvard to her own travel experience – she consciously focused on slow looking and observation to learn deeply.