A former South Australian Premier and a sixth-generation family member have been appointed to the Board of the Coopers Foundation.

Steven Marshall and Bec Cooper have joined the Board of Governors of the charitable foundation established in 2006 by Coopers Brewery and the Cooper family.

Steven Marshall served as the 46th Premier of South Australia from 2018 to 2022. After 14 years of dedicated service, he left Parliament in February 2024. A recipient of the Centenary of Federation Medal in 2001 for his services to the disability sector, Steven is also Chair of the Australian Advisory Council for MITRE.

Bec Cooper has worked in the advertising and fashion industries, and currently operates a veterinary practice for racehorses which she co-founded. The daughter of Coopers Foundation Chair Mel Cooper, Bec has worked at the Brewery in various casual roles and supported the Foundation over the past 10 years.

“Steven and Bec both have a strong commitment to community service in line with the Foundation’s aim to improve the quality of lives of Australians in need,” Mel said.

“Throughout his whole career, and most notably during his time as Premier and a member of Parliament, Steven has given tireless service to the community. Steven also comes from a family business background and shares the high value our family places on philanthropy.

“Bec is the first of the sixth generation of the Cooper family to join the Foundation Board. Bec has been actively involved with the Foundation’s fundraising work for over a decade and I’m delighted to see the next generation continuing the family’s charitable work.”

The Coopers Foundation continues to grow.

The total amount of funds it has donated is now more than $7.8 million, with 260 charities having received financial support since its inception.

The two new appointments come as Haydn Duffield and Rear Admiral Hon Kevin Scarce retire as Governors on the Board.

A founding Board member, Haydn also served on the Foundation’s Investment Committee.

Kevin joined the Foundation Board in 2014 after serving as Governor of South Australia.

“Haydn played a pivotal role in shaping the Foundation’s mission from the outset and his leadership has been highly valued throughout his 18 years of service,” Mel said.

“Kevin joined us with vast knowledge of the charity sector and his wise counsel and dedication has been instrumental in strengthening the Foundation's community impact.

“Both men have left a legacy that will continue to shape the Foundation's work for years to come and for which we are forever grateful.”

For more information on the Foundation go to https://coopersfoundation.org.au