Friends of UniSA
UniSA is proud of its strong relationships with sponsors and supporters and appreciates the commitment and leadership generously provided by these organisations and individuals.
Eric
Granger
Eric is currently the State Manager of Mutual Community. Previously he held extensive sales, marketing and administrative skills in senior corporate positions such as: Commercial Sales Manager with Mutual Community, Operations, Marketing and Sales Manager with Medibank Private and Marketing and Sales Manager with Ansett Airlines. In addition, Eric has over 30 years of business experience as a small business owner in the clothing industry.
His strong social conscience and belief in putting something back into the community has led to the formation of MC˛ or the Mutual Community - Community Relations Team. MC˛ = energy, which the group of high profile South Australian sportspeople channel into their cooperative effort with Mutual Community, and community and charitable groups such as the Pickard Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association and Youth for Life.
Eric has an active interest in sport which is demonstrated by both playing and coaching lacrosse at the highest level, in addition he Manager of the South Australian Lacrosse Association and General Manager of the SA Volleyball Association.
He is a Vietnam veteran and his diverse interests are verified by his Professional Memberships: Chairman of The Smith Family (SA), Board Member of the Games Appeal Committee and a member of the Institute of Company Directors, Australian Institute of Management and the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals.
Eric enjoys fishing and relaxing on Kangaroo Island.
Patrick
Jonker
Patrick describes himself in one word-hardworking. He says 'cycling is a sport that is 24 hours a day, seven days a week and it's a job like no other'. This philosophy has resulted in his outstanding success as a professional cyclist and a dual Olympian at Barcelona and Atlanta, where he finished 8th in the road race.
He was thrilled to take out the Tour Down Under in front of the Adelaide home crowd, on what was to be his last professional race in January 2004. Patrick began his professional career in 1993, followed by his first Tour de France in 1994, and in 1997 he finished 12th overall.
Since being a member of the pro peloton, Jonker has ridden with the Dutch Histor, Rabobank and Hermert Groep teams, Bigmat in France, the Spanish ONCE and the American based US Postal team together with Lance Armstrong.
Patrick is fluent in five languages as a result of living and working in Europe, making him an apt ambassador for the South Australian Tourist Commission. His key mission in the future is to work within cycling to inspire young riders, and to spend time surfing and relaxing on the beach with his two young children.
Hon Trish
White
Elected to Parliament in 1994, Trish White works tirelessly in the Electorate of Taylor, advocating for her constituents, and providing support and advice on government issues and policies.
Trish served for three years as a Minister in the Rann Government (in the portfolios of Education, Transport, Urban Development and Planning, Science and Information Economy). She has been the ALP spokesperson for Higher Education and has assisted in the portfolios of Regional Development and Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs.
In addition, Trish has served on the Parliamentary Public Works Committee 1994-1997, the Parliamentary Economics and Finance Committee 1997-2002, Industries Development Committee 1997-2002 and the Parliamentary Select Committee on DETE Funded Schools 2000-2002.
Trish was born in Queensland and educated at the University of Queensland and University of South Australia. She holds degrees in Arts and Engineering. She initially pursued a career as an electronics engineer working for 9 years at the Defence Science and Technology Organisation where she was a specialist in communication networks.
Minister White enjoys family life and is married with two sons.