Allan Pidgeon AM – President
Current Professional Occupation
Engaged in family property business
Last two Professional Occupations
Stockbroker
Family Details
Married with three children
Non-Professional Interests and Involvements
Australian national flag association
Mater hospital foundation
Why I am involved in ICCI (Qld) and willing to be a member of the ICCI (Qld) board
Have been attending ICCI functions for many years, so happy to be involved at a deeper level.
Comm Hon Santo Santoro – Vice President
Current Professional Occupation
Commendatore the Honourable Santo Santoro is recognised as a leading source of counsel on Australian and international politics, policy and regulatory affairs.
Last two Professional Occupations
One of a handful of Australians to have served as a Minister in the Executive of both State and Federal Parliaments, Santo’s background includes time as a member of the Queensland Cabinet as Minister for Training and Industrial Relations, and as an Australian Senator and Minister for Ageing in the Howard Government. Santo acts in a range of roles, including that of analyst, adviser, or formal advocate and representative, in both business-to-government and business-to-business formats.
Family Details
Married with two children
Non-Professional Interests and Involvements
Santo has been heavily involved in the Italian community for over 40 years. Santo has served as Vice-President of Com.it.es Queensland and Northern Territory and President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Queensland) between 2011 and 2020. Santo is very heavily involved in many other organisations and activities within the Italian community of Queensland and Australia. Currently, Santo serves as President of the Brisbane Chapter of the Accademia Italiana della Cucina, President of the Organising Committee of Festitalia and is also a proud member of the Sicilian Association of Queensland.
Why I am involved in ICCI (Qld) and willing to be a member of the ICCI (Qld) board
Santo’s commitment to ICCI (Qld) has seen his return into the service of the Chamber as Vice President of ICCI (Qld).
Dom Cacciola – Treasurer
Current Professional Occupation
Last two Professional Occupations
Most of the last thirty years I have worked in Education teaching across most subjects in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Colleges. I have been a Senior Teacher, Dean, Deputy Principal and Principal
Family Details
Married with 2 children
Non-Professional Interests and Involvements
I have served on many boards and committees as a member, holding positions including President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. I have always been committed to serving the community through active participation and involvement.
Cav. Giovanni Antonaglia OAM
Current Professional Occupation
Director / Self-Employed – Jewellery Industry, Retail and Wholesale
Last two Professional Occupations
As above
Family Details
Married with 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren
Non-Professional Interests and Involvements
Reading, Writing, Bible studies
Why I am involved in ICCI (Qld) and willing to be a member of the ICCI (Qld) board
To support and to offer my professional guidance in order to develop and strengthen the organisation together with my fellow board member – to continue the traditions of Italy in Australia and the relationship between our countries.
Antonio Bosso
Current Professional Occupation
Tony is a prominent member of the Queensland business community.
Tony is a Director of a number of companies operating throughout Australia, in civil engineering construction, mining construction, transport industry and commercial property development. From its birth in Mt Isa in the early 1970’s, the group has expanded to the point where it now has a presence Australia-wide and internationally. Tony is highly respected in industry circles.
Family Details
Antonio (Tony) Bosso arrived in Australia as a young child with his immigrant Italian parents. Tony grew up in Perth and has maintained a close connection with his Italian heritage and culture. Tony has 6 children and 5 grandchildren and enjoys being involved with them in a close family relationship.
Non-Professional Interests and Involvements
Tony has a long history as a benefactor of charitable causes, such as Marist Mission Centre in Australia, Fiji, Brazil and New Zealand and San Isidro Care Centre, Aruligo in Solomon Islands. He is also a very strong supporter of Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital Research Foundation (RBWH). Tony also started a foundation through the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute for research into blood cancer treatment. Tony has supported the promotion of international ballet in Queensland and has always supported organisations involved in mental health care and children with disabilities.
Why I am involved in ICCI (Qld) and willing to be a member of the ICCI (Qld) board
Tony is keen to promote the Italian culture in Queensland and to foster and promote closer relationships and business opportunities between local and Italian businesses. An excellent way of networking and meeting various business group and people.
Mark Hoogsteyns
Current Professional Occupation
Mark is Managing Director of Strenuis Consulting Group, a boutique consulting practice specialising in transformation, leadership development, as well as organisational culture and systems improvement. Mark, together with his network, works in the mining, construction, government and health sectors across APAC. He specialises in solving problems for business.
Last two Professional Occupations
Vice President, DEKRA Insight APAC
General Manager, FKG Construction
Family Details
Mark migrated from Belgium with his parents and brother in 1964, and has lived in Melbourne, Townsville, Toowoomba and Brisbane. Mark is married to Leanne, and they have 6 children and 3 grandchildren (so far) between them.
Non-Professional Interests and Involvements
Mark is on the board of Connect2Group, a bayside disability services and disability employment group. He also has a passion for economic development, having worked at the Qld Chamber of Commerce & Industry, served on economic development boards and boards of chambers of commerce.
Cav. John Kotzas AM
Current Professional Occupation
Chief Executive, QPAC
Last two Professional Occupations
Managing Director of Brisbane Festival, Teacher at Brisbane State High School
Family Details
Married with 3 kids
Non-Professional Interests and Involvements
Sport, community development, passion for multiculturalism.
Hugh Ritchie
Hugh is Co-founder and Chairman of Union Institute of Language (UIL) operating in the international education sector and Co-founder and Director of Inclusive Solutions Australia Group (ISA) with businesses in the disability care, training, and accommodation sectors.
Last two Professional Occupations
With over 30 years’ experience in senior management and board positions for Australian and multinational companies, Hugh is committed to strengthening trade, investment and cultural understanding between Australia and all overseas destinations with a particular focus on Italy and Indonesia due to their unique cultures and strong ties into the broader Australian community.
Non-Professional Interests and Involvements
Hugh is a past Director of Italian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI QLD), in addition to being past-Chairman and current Committee Member of the Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC QLD).
Gregory Skyring
Current Professional Occupation
Director and Chair, Powering Skills Organisation Ltd; Energy, Gas and Renewables JSC.
Director CIRT (Construction Industry Redundancy Trust)
Last two Professional Occupations
Commissioner for Electrical Safety Queensland
National Manager – Lend Lease | Services | Power Infrastructure
Family Details
Married with two children
Non-Professional Interests and Involvements
Member and past Board Member, ICCI Qld
Past Member Rotary Club of South Brisbane
Sports, Fishing, Travel, Family, Droughtmaster Hobby Farm
Why I am involved in ICCI (Qld) and willing to be a member of the ICCI (Qld) board
Enjoy the business, trade, social networking and relationship opportunities for Australia and Italy
Luca Tortora
Current Professional Occupation
Valle Fine Foods srl CEO
Family Details
Married with two children
Non-Professional Interests and Involvements
Soccer, fitness
Why I am involved in ICCI (Qld) and willing to be a member of the ICCI (Qld) board
I would like to support the trade relation between Italy and Australia
Rosie Vecchio
Current Professional Occupation
Property Consultant
Last two Professional Occupations
Hospitality business owner
Fashion wholesaler
Family Details
Born in Brisbane, three children
Non-Professional Interests and Involvements
President – Com.It.Es. QLD & NT, President – Sicilian Association of QLD Inc., Treasurer – Accademia Italiana Della Cucina – Brisbane Chapter, Secretary – Casa Italia Community Centre Inc.
Why I am involved in ICCI (Qld) and willing to be a member of the ICCI (Qld) board
With my dedication to the promotion of the Italian culture, I would like to support the Chamber in its continued growth & success, both financial & social. In this way, see the strengthening of the commercial links between Italy & Australia.
Carmela Yarnold
Current Professional Occupation
Owner/Director of Precision Building Products
Last two Professional Occupations
Hotel/restaurant manager in Russia
Restaurant supervisor in England
Family Details
Born in Italy (Naples), moved to Australia in 2014. She lives with her daughter on the Gold Coast
Non-Professional Interests and Involvements
Soccer, travelling and love spending time with her daughter and the family dog
Currently helping and funding Burleigh Heads State School
Why I am involved in ICCI (Qld) and willing to be a member of the ICCI (Qld) board
I would like to support and promote the Italian culture in Australia and pass it on to the future italian generations