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John Bertrand is an Australian household name due to his sporting successes. But it is his more recent achievements in campaigning for children's rights which will see his name and spirit live on in future households.

John lives in Melbourne with his wife Rasa, with whom he has 3 children.

He obtained a Mechanical Engineering Degree from Monash University in 1969 before completing a Master of Science degree from Boston's MIT in 1971.

In 1983, John shot to fame, stunning the yachting world by leading the crew of the "Australia II" to a dramatic 7th race victory over America's Cup defender "Liberty". This win ended a 132-year domination by the Americans and was perhaps the greatest upset in modern Australian sports history. In Australia's bi-centennial year, the Confederation of Australian Sport voted this victory as the finest team performance in 200 years of Australian Sport.

In 1984 John was made a member of the Order of Australia. His autobiography, Born to Win, published in 1985, was at the time the largest selling biography in Australian publishing history and is now published in four foreign languages.

John is a World Champion and Olympic medallist, having represented Australia in five America's Cups and two Olympic Games. In over 25 years of America's Cup campaigning, he was involved in all areas of activity - from skipper of Australia 2 to Chairman of OneAustralia. He is a life member of the America's Cup Hall of Fame.

John is Chairman of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame of which the Prime Minister is Patron-in-Chief.

John is both a businessman as well as a philanthropist.

John Bertrand has become known for his work with vulnerable children. His strong belief that children are the country's greatest asset saw him be appointed Chairman of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation in 2001. John tirelessly campaigns for Australia's business and community leaders to address the issues of the welfare of children, as he believes that every child has the right to a happy childhood.

'The violence experienced by Alannah and Madeline Mikac who tragically lost their lives on 28 April 1996, continuously drives our team to develop programs and initiatives and raise funds to care for children who have experienced or witnessed serious violence and prevent violence in the lives of children.

Having recently become a grandfather for the first time, protecting children from violence is even closer to my heart than even before and I am deeply proud and excited about what is planned for the Foundation in the future.

Through the journey we are extremely fortunate to have the support of our International Patron HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Patron and Co-Founder Walter Mikac, who are now joined by the National Patron Prime Minister Kevin Rudd MP and Victorian Patron The Hon John Brumby MP.'

John Bertrand AM

Chairman