The Telethon Adventurers

Rick Parish - Founder and Chairman

Rick is a Perth based multi award winning, international businessman and Founder of The Adventurers. Rick established the Adventurers with his friend and associate Peter Wilson following the diagnosis of his youngest son Elliot with brain and spinal cancer. Elliot passed away in February 2011. Rick is married to Emily and has three sons, Lachlan, Harrison and Hudson.

Rick is a former SAS operative and internationally recognised search and rescue and counter terrorist expert with experience in over 25 countries. He sits on the board of numerous companies in Australia, Singapore and NZ, and was nominated for Australian of the Year in 2010.

He has qualifications from Melbourne University and a variety of military, paramilitary and civil vocational institutions. Rick plans to find the cause and a cure for childhood brain tumours.

Peter Wilson - Founder and Vice Chairman

Peter co-founded The Adventurers with Rick Parish after they met while training for an expedition to Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Breast Cancer WA. Together, they subsequently led The Adventurers on their first "Adventure" - a climb of Mont Blanc in 2010.

Peter is married to Kerry and has three daughters - Courtney-Jane, Morgan and Bree.

He is better known in the world of AFL as "Willow" or "the strutter." An all-Australian representative that played 300 games of football within the AFL and the WAFL leagues.

Peter has interests in property development through PHI Property in partnership with one of our Executive members Mark Wege.

Jason Antunovich

Perth born and bred oil and gas executive, Jason Antunovich has spent the past twenty-three years roaming the globe, whilst having the good fortune to encounter extraordinary people along the way.

Jason is extremely proud to be a member of the Telethon Adventurers - an ever expanding, committed and dedicated group, passionate about increasing awareness and supporting vital research to develop a much-needed cure for cancer.

A founding member of the Telethon Adventurers, Jason is particularly thrilled about this year's challenges, which include climbing Mont Blanc for a second time, as well as traversing the American heartlands on a Harley Davidson.

Adventures: "The Climb for Elliot" Mont Blac, France and the "Tour for a Cure" USA

David Richardson

Director, Telethon Adventurers

David is a strategic adviser to EnglishCentral.com and is proud to be focused on his Executive Committee role with the Telethon Adventurers.

David holds a Bachelor of Commerce, an MBA from University of Southern California and did post graduate studies at Keio University, Tokyo, Japan. After 18 years working in Japan, China, LA and London he returned to Perth in 2007 with his Japanese wife to bring up his two boys in a Perth environment.

David personally benefitted from the work of PMH when he was diagnosed as a six year old with a congenital heart condition, and is committed to support the other wonderful work being done by the hospital.

Adventure: "The Tour for a Cure USA"

Mark Wege

Mark is a Chartered Accountant having graduated from UWA in 1985, and has worked in senior roles in a variety of industries including accounting, corporate, automotive, rail, winery and property over the past 25 years both in Australia and overseas.

He is a director of PHI Property Group, a privately owned Project Management and Property Development business operating in the affordable housing and retirement sectors.

Mark is married with two daughters and has been involved in The Adventurers since their formation. He is passionate about increasing awareness of child health issues and helping to raise funds for both cancer research, and patient treatment, care and rehabilitation.

Damione Wright

Damione holds a Bachelor of Economics with first-class honors and is the Managing Director of glove company Wrights HardWear. Prior to this he worked as an economist and foreign currency dealer for the Reserve Bank of Australia and JP Morgan (London). In 2010, Damione was awarded the coveted '40 Under 40' award and was nominated for the Ernst and Young, Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Damione's commitment as an executive committee member of the Telethon Adventurers stems from recognising that "life is a gift" and should not be taken for granted; with particular acknowledgment of his two, young healthy boys and beautiful wife. And so his commitment to the charity and cause is something very small in return for this gift.