Ambassadors
Jamie Durie
Jamie Durie is an international television identity and highly acclaimed horticulturalist and landscape designer.
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.
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 one of Australia’s leading chefs and restaurateurs.
Having trained under Herman Schneider of ‘Two Faces’ fame, and Michael Roux of the ‘Waterside Inn’ in London, Luke now owns and operates seven busy restaurants – glass brasserie at the Hilton Sydney; The Palace by Luke Mangan, South Melbourne; Salt & the adjoining World Wine Bar, Tokyo; Salt grill, Singapore; and Salt grill onboard three P&O luxury cruise liners. He is also the consulting chef for Virgin Australia.
Luke has also written four best-selling cookbooks, an autobiography and launched his own range of gourmet products. He also makes regular appearances on a number of TV shows, both in Australia and internationally.
He is the co-founder of the Appetite for Excellence hospitality awards program which promotes the development of young chefs, waiters and restaurateurs in Australia.
Luke regularly donates his culinary skills to raise money for charity. He supports Camp Quality, Starlight Foundation, Royal Hospital for Children and FSHD Global Research Foundation, among numerous others.