Former pollie joins historic Carrick Hill leadership
A former state politician is set to work alongside a long-time Fringe Festival leader to oversee one of the state’s most precious historic Adelaide foothills estates, once visited by the Queen and actor Vivien Leigh.
Former state politician Connie Bonaros and experienced board director Kathryn Presser AM have been appointed as members of the Carrick Hill Trust that oversees the stunning historic house and expansive gardens in the Adelaide foot hills suburb of Springfield.
Bonaros is a former Legislative Councillor in State Parliament for SA-BEST, having been elected in 2018 but losing her seat at the recent March election.
Since exiting politics, Bonaros has been CEO of Seafood Industry South Australia – the state’s peak body for the seafood sector. She will help guide the future of the 100-acre estate with the home built in the 1930s by Ursula and Edward Hayward. Its rich past includes visits by Queen Elizabeth II along with renowned actors Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh.
Arts Minister Kyam Maher MLC said that Bonaros has extensive experience in government, administration and policy.
While Presser is an experienced board director who currently runs KP Advisory.
Maher said Presser brings a strong focus on finance, risk and governance, with extensive experience chairing audit and risk committees.
In addition, Mitcham councillor Joanna Wells has been reappointed to the trust, as well as Susan Nugent and chair Cain Cooke.
The appointments follow long-term Adelaide Fringe CEO and artistic director Heather Croall joined Carrick Hill taking the reins at the historic 100- acred estate with its spectacular views stretching to the ocean, in February 2026.
Croall said she was “thrilled” with the appointments, saying “their expertise will be invaluable as we enter an exciting new chapter for Carrick Hill”.
Since beginning her role at Carrick Hill, the historic estate hosted William Morris Winter Wonderland, with projections of the acclaimed 19th-century textile artist lighting up the historic house.
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In January 2024, an Italian-inspired diner also opened at Carrick Hill, its new $7 million, 180-seat function space dubbed The Pavilion, was completed in 2023.
Carrick Hill is located in the foothills suburb of Springfield and was built between 1937 and 1939 by Edward and Ursula Hayward.
The mansion was designed by James Irwin of Woods Bagot Laybourne-Smith and Irwin in Elizabethan style and built by the Fricker Brothers with Basket Range sandstone.
It features a sixteenth-century staircase, fireplace and oak panelling, as well as furniture from Beau Desert Hall in Staffordshire, which the Haywards purchased on their honeymoon in 1934.
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