About

I am a non-profit, educational and government leader, with high-level expertise in communications, community engagement, business development, fundraising, media and writing, living in Sydney, Australia. In February 2024, I commenced as Philanthropy Manager of Next25, an independent “think and do” tank based in Sydney.

Until July 2023, I was the CEO of Community Colleges Australia (CCA), the national association of not-for-profit, community-managed adult and community education providers. Until 2020, I was the long-time (30+ years) film critic of the Australian Jewish News.

Prior to my role with CCA, I worked as the Deputy Team Leader of the Community Outreach Program of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) – Australia’s corporate regulator; as the Executive Officer of The Bright Alliance, Faculty of Medicine, University of NSW. At ASIC, I was the Project Manager for MoneySmart Rookie – a major financial literacy for young people educational initiative and campaign, and ran professional training on Australia’s National Consumer Credit Protection Act.

From 2003 through 2011, I was the CEO of the Rural Health Education Foundation.  After leaving the Rural Health Education Foundation, I undertook a sabbatical in New York City, where I researched digital media and community initiatives, as well as volunteering for a Congressional by-election.  In April 2012 I received my PhD in media from Macquarie University (the Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies). At my graduation in April 2012, I gave the student keynote address.  In 2012 and 2013, I lectured part-time in post-graduate and undergraduate public relations and media at the School of Arts and Media at the University of NSW, as well as APM College (Think Education Group).

I have a strong commitment to improving social, economic and racial justice, and am passionate about creating better outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society, including First Nations Australians. Here is a link to my writing on social disadvantage.  Please contact me (see email address below) with any comments or questions on my work or interests.

Recent memberships include Institute of Community Directors Australia, Film Critics Circle of Australia and the Economics Society of Australia. I represented Community Colleges Australia (CCA) on the Commonwealth Government’s Foundation Skills Advisory Group, Steering Committee of the Reading Writing Hotline, the Australian Government Department of Education and Training’s VET Student Loans Implementation Advisory Group, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) Provider Reference Group and the New South Wales Government’s Skills Board Provider Reference Group. For CCA, I was also active in CEO networks of the Australian Council for Social Service (ACOSS) and the Community Council for Australia.

In July 2023, I joined the Board of Directors of Eryldene Foundation, which raises funds for Eryldene historic house in Gordon NSW. In November, I joined the Board of Inner Sydney Voice regional council for social development. I was a member of the Board of Directors (“Council”) of Mandelbaum House, a residential college of the University of Sydney, with the portfolios of strategic planning and marketing, from 2014 to 2021. From late 2012 through early 2014 I was the Chair of the Board of Directors of the non-profit Aurora Community Channel, a national community TV channel.

My previous employers include the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), where I worked for almost 10 years as Head of TV Policy and the Project Manager of Open Learning; the Australian Institute of Management (NSW/ACT) as a Client Relationship Manager; ICE Interactive Ltd as a Business Development Manager; University of New England (Armidale NSW) as both Lecturer in Urban Planning and research manager with the Rural Development Centre; and the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) as CEO.

For a list of recent lectures, presentations and interviews, click here.

For a list of some recent film reviews, click here.

For a list of some book reviews, click here.

For links to publications and major blog posts, click here.

For my television and audio podcast production credits, click here.

For a list of my film festival and film event activities, click here.

For a list of my appearances in the electronic media, click here.

For a list of my awards, click here.

View my LinkedIn profile here.

I was frequently quoted in the news items of Community Colleges Australia, which you can read here.

Follow me on Twitter @DonPerlgut – https://twitter.com/DonPerlgut (currently not active).

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Contact details

If you wish to contact me, email me at don (dot) perlgut (at) gmail (dot) com (The email address is written this way to avoid automated spam, however I do want to hear from you.)

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Values

All of my professional work and community service activities are informed and guided by the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam: to repair or heal the world – תיקון עולם

Disclaimers

Unless otherwise specified, all of the statements, opinions and beliefs expressed in this blog are mine and mine alone, and do not represent those of any present or past employers.

You may see commercial advertisements on this website, because the site is hosted by WordPress for free.  I do not endorse any of these products or services.

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Acknowledgement of Country

I acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custodians of the lands on which I live and work, and I pay my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. I thank them for looking after my country, Australia, for many thousands of years prior to the arrival of Europeans. I live on the traditional lands of the Cammeraygal people.