Adrian currently serves on the Green Adelaide and Green Industries SA Boards and is the immediate past Chair of the Adelaide Hills Region Waste Management Authority. His previous board experience also spans across numerous organisations including Australian Institute of Company Directors SA/NT Council, Tonsley Innovation Precinct Steering Group, Local Government Association Procurement Board, Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism and the Torrens Valley TAFE Board, which he chaired.

Since joining COTA SA’s Board as Director in December 2025, Adrian has had a key influence in shaping COTA SA’s new Strategic Plan, and he is excited to continue advancing the rights, interests and futures of older South Australians.

“It’s a privilege to step into the role as COTA SA President, especially at the start of a new Strategic Plan, which will guide us over the next five years. I would like to thank Anne Edwards for her extraordinary dedication and commitment to the organisation as the outgoing President, and I look forward to building on the many strengths COTA SA has established under her leadership,” said Adrian.

After serving on COTA SA’s Board for over 18 years, with 14 of those as President, Anne Edwards leaves a legacy for the organisation with many remarkable achievements over her tenure.

Emeritus Professor Anne Edwards AO has stewarded COTA SA through three strategic plans, two Chief Executive appointments, multiple changes of Government, and navigated an ongoing challenging funding and policy landscape. Highly regarded as a sociologist and former Vice Chancellor of Flinders University, Anne was instrumental in the establishment of COTA SA’s consumer research and engagement consultancy, The Plug-In which now operates as a social enterprise, with profits supporting COTA SA.

Under Anne’s leadership, COTA SA transitioned to a free COTA SA membership model, broadened its reach into regional South Australia, including the Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsulas, and deepened its engagement with multicultural communities and the LGBTQI+ community through the now independent Rainbow Hub SA. She represented South Australia serving for 13 years on the COTA Australia Board until her retirement in November 2025.

Reflecting on her time as COTA SA’s President, Anne said: “Being President of COTA SA gave me the opportunity for participation in a challenging and rewarding area of significant social change.”

“As an independent organisation working for the benefit of older Australians, COTA SA’s strength lies in its active advocacy and engagement with older people themselves combined with evidence-based and targeted policy and services recommendations to government and other key organisations with influence over the lives of older people,” continued Anne.

COTA SA Chief Executive, Miranda Starke, warmly welcomed Adrian’s appointment and paid tribute to Anne Edwards’ achievements.

“COTA SA has Anne Edwards to thank for the strong and influential position it finds itself in today. Her distinguished reputation and her absolute commitment to challenging ageism and advocating for older people’s voices to be heard loudly by decision makers, has made COTA SA a highly effective advocacy body in our state and nationally,” said Miranda.

“We are so pleased to be welcoming a President of Adrian’s calibre and someone who is so enthusiastic about our purpose and our ability to shape better lives for older South Australians. We look forward to introducing Adrian to our community over the coming months.”

As President, Adrian will lead COTA SA’s experienced, skills-based Board together with Deputy President Alexandrea Cannon OAM. Adrian Skull officially commences his term as COTA SA’s President on 1 September.

COTA SA will host a public farewell event for Anne Edwards as part of its AGM in November.