Our people

Jill Garner LFRAIA, Victorian Government Architect

Jill is an architect with over 30 years experience. In 2015 she was appointed as Victorian Government Architect. In this role she advocates for the value and legacy of good design. She leads an expert team to provide strategic advice to the government about architecture, landscape and urban design.

Jill’s practice, Garner Davis Architects, has received numerous industry awards for delivering sensitively crafted public and private work. She has taught at both RMIT and Melbourne University in architectural design, theory and contemporary history. Jill is a regular national design critic and juror for design competitions, the universities and industry awards.

Jill is one of the first graduates of the innovative, practice-based Masters by Design at RMIT. She is a past Board Member and Examiner in Architectural Practice for the Architects Registration Board Victoria.

She is a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.

Her current and recent involvements include:

• Chair, Victorian Design Review Panel
• Member, Urban Design Advisory Panel and Arts Advisory Panel, Melbourne Metro Rail Project
• Chair, Design Quality Team, Melbourne Olympic Park sports precinct
• Lead, Federation Square Public Purpose and Built Form Review
• Government Architects Network Australia
• Chair, National Committee for the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale

Jill is passionate about promoting the value of contextual and integrated design thinking. She promotes collaboration across the various design disciplines.

Stefan Preuss, Associate Victorian Government Architect

Stefan is an architect with international experience and a sustainability expert. He was appointed as the Associate Victorian Government Architect in 2016. He helps lead an expert team to provide strategic advice to the government about architecture, landscape and urban design. Stefan advocates for sustainability in design.

He holds Masters degrees in architecture and environmental design. Stefan is an Australian Institute of Company Directors Graduate and Green Star Professional.

Stefan has led and participated in:

• award winning architectural projects
• design quality teams
• competition juries and selection panels
• national and international conferences
• innovation programs
• developed sustainability rating tools
• teaching Masters students

Appointments include:

• NABERS National Steering Committee
• Green Star Technical Advisory Group
• IBA Melbourne Advisory Board
• Green Star Assessor, Chair and Faculty Member
• IEA Executive Committee, Energy in Buildings and Communities Program

Stefan has a special interest in sustainability, health and well-being through design.

Anabel Adler, Coordinator Victorian Design Review Panel

Anabel supports the delivery of an efficient, high-quality design review process.

Anabel is an urban designer with over 15 years experience in the public and private sectors. Her experience includes:

• urban design advice and review
• input on city shaping projects for local government
• capital works and urban design strategies
• advocacy work for the value of design review
• design-led thinking in strategic planning and inclusive urban design

She has been part of a:

• working group for Geelong Urban Design Guidelines
• Urban Design Advisory Panel (UDAP) for Moonee Valley Council
• design critique for the University of Melbourne

Anabel is passionate about achieving high-quality design outcomes and urbanism. She believes in the importance of a contextual design response.

Anne Barlow, Adviser Victorian Design Review Panel

Anne is a strong advocate for high-quality design. She works with the Victorian Design Review Panel to deliver independent, constructive advice.

Anne is an urban designer involved in shaping the urban environment across Victoria. Her experience includes:

• urban design roles in state and local government
• urban planning, metropolitan research and environmental science
• teaching roles in urban design at the University of Melbourne

She is currently studying for a Master of Architecture at Monash University.

Anne is passionate about the legacy of good contemporary design. She is interested in elevating the role of the Indigenous voice in design and the respectful protection of heritage.

Mark Bol, Principal Adviser Urban Design & Architecture, Infrastructure

Mark advocates and advises on good design with a focus on transport infrastructure and precincts.

Mark graduated in architecture. He has more than 15 years architecture and urban design industry experience, including:

• senior design positions at several national and international award-winning architecture firms
• large-scale transport infrastructure and associated urban design projects. This included architectural design for many different uses
• researching and communicating propositions for the future of mobility

He is an advocate for the public benefit of good design. Mark is passionate about creating a sustainable future legacy.

Matthew Borg, Senior Adviser

Matthew advocates and advises on good design with a focus on housing.

He is an architect with more than 20 years experience. His experience includes:

• several years in international award-winning practices
• medium and high-density housing
• road infrastructure design
• education projects
• teaching and architectural critique roles at universities

Matthew’s memberships include:

• Architects Registration Board of Victoria
• Australian Institute of Architects

Matthew is passionate about inclusivity and user engagement. He is dedicated to realising each project’s core design values and aspirations.

Damian Collopy, Principal Adviser Landscape Architecture & Urban Design, Level Crossing Removal Project

Damian is a landscape architect with more than 20 years experience. He provides advice across on good design processes and outcomes for transport projects.

He has participated in:

• the delivery of complex transport projects with multidisciplinary design teams
• urban design competitions and selection panels
• urban design advisory panels for major freeways, pedestrian bridges and Level Crossing Removal projects
• projects as a technical advisor on a range of landscape and urban design elements

Damian liaises with delivery agencies, industry and external stakeholders. He aims to achieve high-quality design outcomes and improve the transport experience for all users.

He is passionate about educating decision makers about the importance of context sensitive design.

Jack Davies, Adviser Design and Architecture

Jack advocates and advises on architecture and design with a focus on housing. He is a registered architect - with a decade of experience operating in award winning local and international practice.

His experience includes:

• design architect on major cultural projects in Australia and overseas
• project architect on housing schemes, focusing on quality and affordability
• teaching design studios at the University of Melbourne
• award winning competition entries

Jack believes in advancing the agenda of architecture in both urban and rural contexts, and developing awareness around affordability and quality in design.

Clara Friedhoff, Adviser Victorian Design Review Panel

Clara advocates and advises across government and industry on good design. She works with the Victorian Design Review Panel to promote high-quality outcomes in Victoria.

Clara is an architect with over 10 years in architectural practice. Her experience includes:

• project architect for many projects, including Surf Life Saving Clubs
• projects of different sizes in the public and private sector
• architectural critique sessions at Universities

Clara’s memberships and awards include:

• registered architect, Architects Registration Board of Victoria
• member of the Australian Institute of Architects
• volunteer and member of the Robin Boyd Foundation
• Global Mobility Scholarship, University of Melbourne (2012)

Clara has an interest in the positive impact good design has on our day to day life. She advocates for environmentally sensitive design and social inclusion in the built environment.

Susan Galbraith, Office Manager and Senior Executive Assistant

Susan is the senior executive assistant to the Victorian Government Architect and office manager. She wears many hats in her role including:

• coordinating calendars
• driving office initiatives in best practice
• reporting
• governance
• smooth running of the office

She has a Bachelors in Business Management (Hons) from Kingston University, London.

Susan has more than 15 years experience in:

• state government
• local councils
• public housing
• the energy and health sectors

She is passionate about motivating others to reach positive outcomes and best practices in a timely manner.

Bronwen Hamilton, Manager Victorian Design Review Panel

Bronwen manages the Victorian Design Review Panel. She provides urban design advice on significant projects.

Her experience includes:

• urban design and strategic planning
• design review in VIC and ACT
• project lead on city shaping projects
• urban design roles with commonwealth, state and private practice
• award and competition juries

Bronwen is a member of the:

• Australian Institute Landscape Architecture (AILA) Competition Jury (2018) and Chair (2020)
• Victorian Design Review Panel (2016 - present)

She has participated in:

• Williamson Community Leadership Program (2018)
• Gender Equity Working Group AILA (2019)
• PIA and AILA award winning projects

Bronwen is passionate about good places and the role of good contextual design in urban regeneration and regional growth cities.

David Islip FRAIA, Principal Adviser, Urban Design and Architecture

David is an architect with over 25 years experience in the public and private sector advocating the benefits of good design.

David has led and participated in:

• architectural competition juries
• design review panels
• award juries
• design quality teams
• architect selection panels
• university architectural critique sessions
• Robin Boyd Design Studios

David is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Melbourne Business School Leadership Program.

His appointments and memberships include:

• Architectural Program Advisory Board, University of Melbourne
• Chair of the Architects Registration Board of Victoria
• Deputy Chair of the Architects Registration Board of Victoria
• Chair of National Forum of Architects Registration Boards
• Architects Accreditation Council of Australia

David has a special interest in improving the procurement of architectural services and buildings.

Brendan Louey, Business Support Officer

Brendan holds a vital role within the office, assisting with administration and ensuring the smooth operating of the office.

He has more than 10 years of experience in administration roles. Brendan has worked in:

• state government
• the finance sector
• private investigations

Brendan studied Computer Engineering at RMIT University bringing an understanding of system design to his role at the OVGA.

He believes in inspiring others to be their best self and encourages innovation and new ideas in the pursuit of best practice.

Sarah Oberklaid, Senior Adviser

Sarah advocates and advises on good design with a focus on housing and education.

She is an urban planner and is currently studying a Master of Architecture at the University of Melbourne. Her experience includes:

• leading research into evidence of the impact of good design
• conducting urban design advice and review
• leading the development of urban renewal and housing strategies for local government
• writing on urban design for publications in Australia and the USA

Sarah is passionate about sharing evidence of the impact of good design and advocating for the design of inclusive places.

Sophie Patitsas, Principal Adviser, Urban Design and Architecture

Sophie advocates and advises on good design and how to improve design outcomes.

Before joining the public sector, Sophie started out in architectural practice. She is a respected collaborator, advocate and adviser on architecture and urban design. Her involvements include:

• selection and evaluation panels
• competition juries
• formal design review and urban design advisory panel processes
• architectural and urban design critiques at university level.

Sophie maintains close links with industry and universities. Roles and memberships include:

• RMIT Campus Design Development Committee (2014-present)
• RMIT Program Advisory Committee, Master of Urban Design (2016-2019)
• RMIT Program Advisory Committee, Master of Architecture (2016-2019)

Beyond her core role, Sophie's interest lies in building design knowledge and capability. Sophie promotes the value of good design for its ability to enhance people’s experience of place.

Lorrae Wild FAILA, Managing Lead, Urban Design & Architecture, Infrastructure

Lorrae leads the OVGA's transport team across urban design, architecture and landscape architecture.

She promotes the context-sensitive urban design of public infrastructure projects and places.

She is a strong advocate for integrated precinct and transport planning.

Lorrae has a background in landscape architecture and urban design. She has 30 years experience in the planning, design and delivery of public infrastructure including:

• leading the planning and delivery of the initial suite of level crossing removals across Melbourne
• participation on design review panels, national juries and planning and policy working groups
• consulting experience including a stint as regional landscape architect
• national and state awards for her role on high-profile urban design projects

Lorrae’s memberships and achievements include:

• registered landscape architect
• Fellow of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA)
• the AILA ‘National Award in Landscape Architecture’ for leadership in the planning, design and delivery of public infrastructure, VicRoads

Lorrae is passionate about the role of design collaboration in delivering context-sensitive, integrated design outcomes.

Cara Wiseman, Senior Adviser

Cara advocates and advises across government and industry on good design, with a focus on design competitions.

She graduated in architecture and is a member of the Australian Institute of Architects. Cara's experience includes:

• several years in award-winning architecture firms
• 6 years as a building estimator
• roles at the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) in the United Kingdom
• teaching roles at universities across Germany and Victoria

She has held the following roles and awards:

• Victorian Chapter Council of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA)
• National Vice President of the Student Organised Network for Architecture (SONA)
• National Public Affairs Committee (AIA)
• AIA Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture in 2002

Cara is a strong advocate for the role of design champions in government and Indigenous recognition in the built environment.