2012/2013 Annual Report

Our Patron
His Excellency Malcolm McCusker, AC CVO QC
Governor of Western Australia
The Asthma Foundation WA is very grateful for the support of our Patron, His
Excellency Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC, Governor of Western Australia.
Through the McCusker Charitable Foundation, a significant financial contribution
to fund vital asthma research was received.
Malcolm James McCusker AC CVO QC became the 31 st Governor of Western Australia on July 1, 2011.
He has a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Australia and is a Queen’s Counsel.
Mr McCusker is well known for his successful representation of wrongfully convicted persons, in a
number of high profile cases.
Mr McCusker was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his services to law and the community
(2005) and a Companion of the Order of Australia for service to the people of Western Australia
particularly providing access to legal support, for sustainable development and education, philanthropy
for a range of medical research, youth and arts organisations (2012); WA Citizen of the Year for the
Professions (2005); Civil Justice Award from the Australian Lawyer’s Alliance (2007); Honorary Degree of
Doctor of Laws from the University of Western Australia (2008); Honorary Doctorate of the University,
Edith Cowan University (2009); WA Citizen of the Year for Community Service (2010); WA Australian of
the Year (2011) and Honorary Doctorate of the University, Murdoch University (2011). Her Majesty The
Queen appointed the Governor as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in October 2011.
He is Patron of more than 100 community organisations including the McCusker Foundation for
Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Landcare and is Chairman of the McCusker Charitable Foundation, his
family foundation, which distributes substantial funds each year to worthy charities.
He has been involved in the surf lifesaving movement since 1955, and was awarded a Surf Lifesaving
Bravery Award for the rescue of two people attacked by a shark.
Mr McCusker is married to Tonya. They have an young daughter, Mary, and she and his stepsons,
Nikolas and James live with them. His interests include the law, farming, surf ski paddling, rugby,
reading, chess and football.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE
PERTH
Asthma Foundation WA Annual Report 2012-2013 3