Our Board Members
The Bernie Banton Foundation consists of a team of caring, committed volunteers and individuals who have all been touched in some way by the suffering and/or loss caused by asbestos disease.
Karen Banton – CEO, Bernie Banton Foundation
Karen is a strong advocate on behalf of asbestos disease sufferers and their families. Since the death of her husband, Karen has fervently continued Bernie’s legacy. She has now become the public face for the cause and the ongoing fight for justice.
Karen cared for Bernie as he suffered pleural plaques, asbestos related pleural disease, asbestosis and she ultimately nursed him as he bravely endured mesothelioma. Her comprehensive understanding of how these diseases adversely affect sufferers and their families is evident in the compassionate manner in which she deals with all who are touched by these insidious conditions.
Reverend Bruce E Banton – Director, Bernie Banton Foundation
Reverend Bruce E Banton has been a Minister of Religion since 1970, during which time he has counselled many, in times of need, bereavement and family crisis. These experiences have assisted in developing skills in leadership and counselling. He has been involved in Christian Education, in a leadership capacity since 1983. He has been the Principal of a number of Primary and High Schools, as well as lecturer and Principal of a Bible College. He has served on multiple committees and boards, particularly not-for-profit organisations, in various capacities. Reverend Banton is married with three adult children and three young grandchildren. Reverend Banton has experienced personally the grief associated with the loss of family through exposure to asbestos, with the loss of two of his brothers to asbestosis and mesothelioma. His brother Bernie Banton AM fought for the victims of asbestos-related illnesses.
Prof Bruce WS Robinson – Director, Bernie Banton Foundation MBBS MD FRACP FRCP DTM&H FCCP
Dr Bruce Robinson is Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine and Pharmacology and a consultant Lung Specialist at the University of WA unit at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
He co-leads a large research team studying cancer immunology and asbestos diseases. He has received a number of prestigious awards, including the international Wagner Medal, the Research Medal of the Thoracic Society of Australia and NZ and the Premier's Science Award (WA). The team have made many discoveries, including the first blood test for mesothelioma and have conducted many world-first treatments, including Australia's first cancer gene therapy trial.
He is the co-founder and Director of the National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases [www.ncard.org], a pioneering Australian national co-operative whose goal is to cure or prevent asbestos cancers [the only such asbestos research co-operative in the world].
Professor Robinson has over 30 years of experience caring for patients with lung diseases, especially asbestos-induced diseases.
Shadey Halawe – Director, Bernie Banton Foundation
Shadey has been involved in the Customer Service Industry for over 15 years. During this time, he has served in leadership and training positions, which have included Service Specialist, Manager, Area Manager, Coaching and Development Manager and Bank Manager of one of the largest branches in Australia for St.George Bank.
Shadey's management, coaching and development abilities have seen him over the years travel NSW, interstate and overseas. In his time at St.George Bank he has featured in training DVDs, and has received numerous awards and national recognition for his continued passion and energy in the field of management, customer service and teamwork.
Shadey currently serves on another Board, and is a volunteer for The St.George Foundation.
