Ambassadors

Ambassadors

Jamie Durie

Jamie Durie is an international television identity and highly acclaimed horticulturalist and landscape designer.Courtesy of globalspeakers.com.au

In 2007 Jamie began hosting the US television series The Victory Garden which runs on PBS. He also appears regularly on The Oprah Winfrey Show where he provides landscape and horticulture advice to Oprah's millions of viewers around the world.

In his native Australia, Jamie has starred in such shows as The Outdoor Room, BackYard Blitz and Dancing with the Stars - winning many accolades for his work.

Passionate about the environment, Jamie was trained to be a Climate Change Ambassador by former US Vice President Al Gore.

Jamie is an ambassador for PLAN International, Children's Cancer Institute, Planet Ark, National Tree Day - and now the FSHD Global Research Foundation.

 

Monica Ellis

Monica is an accomplished Australian artist and sufferer of FSHD.

She lives independently despite having a severe form of FSHD that now requires her to spend her time lying on her stomach.Monica and Molly

Before FSHD took its toll, Monica completed a visual arts degree at the University of Western Sydney. While studying stage design she also wrote a play. Her professors were so impressed that they encouraged her to apply to the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA).

Monica was accepted into NIDA which boasts such alumni as Mel Gibson, Cate Blanchett and Baz Luhrmann.

Monica's work at NIDA received excellent critical reviews but "sadly" and Monica wouldn't use that word, she developed pneumonia, spending the next four months in hospital. During that time she was told by physicians that the FSHD had progressed too far and that she would no longer be able to eat. This would mean sealing her throat and feeding her through a tube.

"Having a disability only throws a spotlight on other choices," says Monica and so she turned to other things.

She could no longer paint on a large canvas or participate in theatre groups so instead she began creating small etchings, pen and ink drawings and cartoons.

Out of this process Silly was born, a wonderful character who sums up Monica's indomitable spirit and sense of humour. Silly is a romantic character who attempts projects sometimes a little bit beyond her reach.

Silly loves fashion, falls in love and has her heart broken - but always bounces back.

The FSHD Global Research Foundation is proud to have Monica Ellis as an ambassador.

 

Luke Mangan

Luke Mangan is recognized world-wide as a leading Australian chef and restaurateur.  Luke Mangan

Luke has launched award winning restaurants both at home and abroad.  His most notable recent ventures include Glass Brasserie in Sydney's Hilton Hotel, Salt Tokyo and World Wine Bar in Japan and South Food and Wine Bar in San Francisco. 

Luke has authored three cookbooks and was Food Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald and the Melbourne Age from 2002 to 2004.  Luke is also a well-known television identity and regularly cooks from exotic locations as the Today Show's roving food reporter.

Luke is a passionate advocate for Australian produce and has used invitations from international figures, including Sir Richard Branson and the Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark, to showcase such Australian cuisine. 

Luke supports a number of Australian awards and charities, including his own Lexus Young Chef Award, the Starlight Foundation, Camp Quality and the George Gregan Foundation.  Luke is also one of the Australian Government's 12 Healthy Active Ambassadors.  

The FSHD Global Research Foundation welcomes Luke Mangan as an ambassador.