1. SA
2. About us
3. Ambassadors

Les Burdett

Ambassador

Les Burdett held the position of Curator at Adelaide Oval for 41 years, becoming an icon for Australian cricket and recently retiring in 2010.

In 2001, Les was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in recognition for Services to Cricket, followed in 2003 with the Australian Centenary Medal for service to the sport of Cricket and the turf industry. In 2008, he was awarded the medal of the Order of Australia for services to the turf management industry, charities and the community. His expertise is in demand at various venues around the world including India, South Africa and Kuala Lumpur.

Les continues to provide support to SACA as a consultant.

Les Burdett has been an avid Variety Basher for the past nine years. As a crew member of cars including Toro, Hay, CB1, CB3, LBW, KAOS. Les has contributed to raising over $187,000 for Variety SA.

Matthew Cowdrey

Paralympian (Swimmer)
Ambassador 

Born 22 December 1988, Matt is an Australian swimmer and holder of numerous world records. He lives in South Australia and swims for the Norwood Swimming Club. He has a congenital amputation of his left arm that stops at the elbow. Cowdrey competed at the 2004 Paralympic Games, 2006 Commonwealth Games, 2008 Paralympic Games, 2010 Commonwealth Games and the 2012 Paralympic Games. After the 2012 London Games, he is the most successful Australian Paralympian, having won thirteen Paralympic gold medals and twenty three Paralympic medals in total.

Liza Emanuele

Fashion Designer - Ambassador 

Liza Emanuele is a well-loved and established Australian fashion designer with a career spanning more than 20 years. Best known for her trademark sexy dresses and glamorous high-end styling that celebrates the feminine spirit, her must-have looks are always a “sure thing” and keep her admirers coming back for more and more.

Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald

Ex Aussie Rules Footballer & Radio Host
Ambassador 

Born 16 October 1976, Ryan is a former Australian rules footballer, Big Brother participant, and radio and television personality. He made his Australian Football League debut for Sydney in 2000, before being traded to Adelaide, where he played eight games in 2002. Fitzgerald later appeared in Big Brother Australia 2004, beginning a wider media career in television and is now part of the radio comedy duo Fitzy and Wippa on Nova with Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli.

Renae Hallinan

Australian & State Netballer
Ambassador 

Born 18 July 1986, Renae is an Australian International netballer. Primarily a wing-defence and centre player, Hallinan is a current member of the Australian Netball Diamonds and plays in the ANZ Championship (the world’s premier netball competition) for the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Darren Lehmann

Ambassador

Darren 'Boof' Lehmann is a former Australian cricketer, who made his ODI debut in 1996 and Test debut in 1998. He became a regular in the ODI team in 2001 and Test team in 2002-2005 and played in both Australia and the UK before retiring in 2007. Darren is a valued long time supporter of Variety SA.

Lisa McAskill

Ambassador

Lisa McAskill has a professional career spanning more than 30 years in the television, modelling, business and training and industries. She is best known for her role as a presenter on Channel 9’s Postcards program. She enjoyed the role for 14 years also appearing on Postcards Australia which aired nationally on the Win Network and internationally on the Discovery Channel.

Lisa is an accomplished MC for corporate, government, fashion, arts and fundraising events and a keynote speaker for the tourism and lifestyle sectors in South Australia. She has recently launched her new business, Lisa McAskill Presenting, offering presenting training programs and workshops

Having supported many charities over the years through my work at Channel 9, I wanted to hone my energies toward one in particular. Variety was so appealing because it helps such a broad range of children and families and it also in turn supports so many of these other charities when they are in need. After attending several Variety functions I am in awe at the incredibly positivity and generosity of your supporters.

Scott McBain

Media PersonalityAmbassador

Scott is one of Adelaide's real troopers when it comes to the entertainment industry.  His unmistakable voice has seen in him roles on most networks and radio stations.  Scott's unquestionable MC and hosting skills are a blessing to Variety and his enthusiasm and charm are simply a bonus! 

Cat Southern

Singer/Songwriter
YVariety Ambassador

Cat has a long line of achievements in the Music Industry including being a semi-finalist in both Australian Idol and Popstars, a finalist in the 2005 Australian Independent 

Country Music Awards, 2006 Toyota Starmaker at the Tamwoth Country Music Festival and performing in the Middle East for Australian and Coalition Troops. A Golden Guitar and multiple People’s Choice nominee, Cat also won the 2007 People’s Choice Award for Most Promising Rising Star plus the 2008 Best Song of the Year Award for ‘Little Miss Understood’. Cat released her highly-anticipated debut album in 2008.

Aside from her music, Cat is a former champion gymnast and diver, an accomplished horsewoman appearing in the lead role at RM Williams Outback Spectacular. She has also appeared on hit TV series McLeod’s Daughters is the Face of the DARE Styling Iron and since 2007, a proud ambassador for YVariety.

Jane Reilly

Weather Presenter - Network Ten
Ambassador

Jane is a familiar face with Channel Ten viewers since joining the Network in 1994 and was then appointed weekday weather presenter in July 1996.

There is no doubt that Jane is a favourite with the Adelaide community and corporate audiences alike. As well as having a wealth of experience in media and presenting, Jane also slips easily into the role of MC, having hosted a variety of events ranging from local community and charity events to corporate functions.