A Collective for Change

Keon grew up in coastal East Gippsland with a love of the outdoors, sport and adventure. After studying science and IT, he spent 14 years with the Bureau of Meteorology, leading operations across remote Australia and managing graduate training programs. Since then, he has worked across a diverse range of industries, from charter fishing to disability support.

Diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer in 2020, Keon has shown remarkable resilience, continuing to defy expectations six years on. Drawing on his lived experience, he is a passionate Par 5 Business Ambassador who helps raise awareness, advocate for greater research investment and support others affected by pancreatic cancer. Outside of his advocacy work, Keon enjoys scuba diving, golf, fishing, boating, surfing, travel and live music.

Michael Roberts has been a Par 5 Business Ambassador since 2021. A former AFL player with St Kilda, Richmond and Fitzroy, Michael has built a highly respected career in sports media as a journalist, commentator and presenter with the Nine Network, Channel 7 and Triple M. His decades of experience across elite sport, television and broadcasting have made him a familiar and trusted voice in the Australian sporting landscape.

Passionate about giving back to the community, Michael is committed to using his profile and extensive network to support causes that make a meaningful difference. Through his role as a Par 5 Business Ambassador, he helps raise awareness of upper GI cancers, champion the importance of research funding and support individuals and families impacted by these diseases. His ongoing involvement reflects a genuine commitment to helping create better outcomes for future generations.

Dr Mark Buzza is Head of Research, Innovation and Advocacy at Pancare Foundation, a Par 5 Business Ambassador and Advisor to the program. He works closely with researchers, clinicians, industry leaders and advocacy organisations to drive greater investment in upper GI cancer research, influence system-wide change and improve outcomes for patients and families affected by these diseases.

With more than two decades of experience across cancer research, drug development, healthcare and the not-for-profit sector, Mark has led complex research programs and global portfolios spanning both pre-clinical and clinical development. Before joining Pancare, he served as Head of Research at the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) Alliance and previously held the role of Global Director of Research at Movember, helping shape impactful research initiatives on an international scale.

Mark's career has included leadership roles across biotechnology, pharmaceutical and health organisations, where he has guided multidisciplinary teams and championed innovation across a range of therapeutic areas. His unique combination of scientific expertise, strategic leadership and collaborative approach enables him to connect researchers, healthcare providers, industry and the community to maximise impact.

As both a Par 5 Business Ambassador and Advisor, Mark is passionate about ensuring research discoveries translate into meaningful improvements for patients. He is a strong advocate for sustainable research funding and collaborative approaches that accelerate progress in the fight against upper gastrointestinal cancers.

Associate Professor Dr Kara Vine-Perrow is a leading pancreatic cancer researcher at the University of Wollongong, a Par 5 Business Ambassador, and the first researcher funded by Par 5 Business when the program was established. As Head of the Targeted Cancer Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Kara has dedicated her career to advancing innovative treatment approaches that address the urgent challenges facing people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Her research focuses on developing new therapies and drug delivery technologies designed to improve treatment effectiveness, reduce side effects and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Through the support of Par 5 Business and Pancare Foundation, Kara and her team have progressed groundbreaking research from concept through to patented technology, bringing promising new treatment options closer to clinical trials.

As both a researcher and ambassador, Kara is passionate about helping bridge the gap between scientific discovery and community impact. She is a strong advocate for increased investment in pancreatic cancer research and regularly shares the importance of sustainable funding in accelerating new treatments and improving outcomes for patients and families. Her work continues to drive innovation and progress in a field where new treatment options are urgently needed.

Dr Christine De Nardo is the Chief Operating Officer of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and a passionate advocate for advancements in cancer diagnosis and treatment. With more than 15 years of experience across medical research, biotechnology and leadership, she has built a strong track record in supporting innovative research programs, fostering strategic partnerships and helping organisations translate research into meaningful patient outcomes.

In her role at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Christine leads the teams and operations that enable world-class cancer research, helping create the environment required for scientific discovery, collaboration and innovation to thrive. Her experience spans research, operational management and the biotechnology sector, providing a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities involved in bringing new treatments closer to patients.

Through her work, Christine is dedicated to accelerating breakthroughs that improve outcomes for people affected by cancer. She is a strong believer in the power of collaboration between researchers, clinicians, industry and the community, recognising that meaningful progress is achieved when diverse expertise comes together to tackle some of the biggest challenges in cancer care.
In her role at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Christine leads the teams and operations that enable world-class cancer research, helping create the environment required for scientific discovery, collaboration and innovation to thrive. Her experience spans research, operational management and the biotechnology sector, providing a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities involved in bringing new treatments closer to patients.

Through her work, Christine is dedicated to accelerating breakthroughs that improve outcomes for people affected by cancer. She is a strong believer in the power of collaboration between researchers, clinicians, industry and the community, recognising that meaningful progress is achieved when diverse expertise comes together to tackle some of the biggest challenges in cancer care.

Mike Rolls has been an Ambassador and member of Par 5 Business since 2024. He’s a resilience speaker, author and coach who knows a fair bit about life not going to plan. At 18, Mike’s life changed his life forever after becoming a double amputee after contracting a rare disease. It’s an experience that has shaped the way he thinks about adversity, resilience and what it takes to move forward when Plan A is no longer an option.

Mike works with organisations, leaders and teams to help them navigate pressure, uncertainty and change. His message isn’t about avoiding the tough moments, or ‘soldiering on’ when they arrive. It’s about getting better at choosing how we respond when life doesn’t go to plan.

Through his keynotes, workshops and writing, Mike combines powerful storytelling, humour and practical frameworks to challenge the way we think about resilience. He helps people move from feeling stuck towards growth by trading in reactive thinking and default responses for more focused, intentional action - in work and in life.

Mike believes resilience is won and lost in the space between what happens to us and the way we choose to respond.

As a Par 5 Business Ambassador, Mike is proud to use his platform to support vital research, raise awareness of upper GI cancers and help contribute to better outcomes for people and families affected by them.

Nic is an injury management professional, Exercise Physiologist, law student and Par 5 Business Ambassador who brings a unique perspective to cancer advocacy through both his clinical background and lived experience. Diagnosed with stage III gastro-oesophageal cancer at the age of 34, Nick underwent intensive treatment and a complex surgical recovery before channelling his experience into supporting others affected by upper GI cancers.

Following treatment, Nick became actively involved with Pancare Foundation's peer support programs, where he combined his professional knowledge with personal experience to encourage patients to safely incorporate movement and exercise into their treatment and recovery journeys. His passion for improving patient experiences has since expanded into broader advocacy focused on survivorship, early diagnosis and health system improvement.

Today, Nick serves as a consumer advocate and advisor across a range of cancer and health initiatives, helping ensure the patient voice is represented in research, policy and service development. As a Par 5 Business Ambassador, he is committed to raising awareness of upper GI cancers and connecting with business leaders to help generate sustainable funding for the research, support services and innovations that can improve outcomes for future patients and families.

Allie Jefferis became connected with Pancare Foundation following her husband Jules' stage IV pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2017, when he was just 33 years old. Throughout Jules' cancer journey, Pancare provided information, support and access to a network of specialists that helped their family navigate one of life's most challenging experiences.

Despite being told that surgery was not an option due to the spread of the cancer, Jules underwent pioneering treatment and surgery that enabled him to live years beyond his initial prognosis. That additional time allowed him to continue advocating for greater awareness, support and research for pancreatic cancer, causes that became deeply important to both Jules and Allie.

Following Jules' passing in 2020, just days after the birth of their first child, Allie has continued the advocacy work they began together. Through the How Good Is Jules fundraising team, community events and awareness campaigns, she helps raise vital funds for Pancare while encouraging greater awareness and earlier diagnosis of upper GI cancers.

As a Par 5 Business Ambassador, Allie is passionate about ensuring that more families have access to the support, treatment options and research advancements that gave her family precious additional time together. Through her advocacy, she continues to honour Jules' legacy while helping drive better outcomes for future patients and their loved ones.