The board currently comprises ten directors: eight member directors and two non-member directors.
Member directors are appointed every two years at the Company’s annual general meeting. Member directors have the full rights and privileges of a company director. There are no more than ten and no less than four member directors at any one time.
The purpose of non-member directors is to provide professional expertise and technical advice to assist the board in their decision-making. There are no more than three non-member directors at anytime. Non-member directors exercise the rights and privileges of a director except for voting rights.
Michael Bell – Chairperson
Michael Bell was appointed to the board as a member-director of the Company in October 2002. He was elected as chairperson in May 2005 and continues to serve in this position. Michael is a Ngunnawal man who has demonstrated a strong commitment to serving the Aboriginal community. He is involved with several Aboriginal organisations, including the National Indigenous HACC Reference Group. Michael is also committed to the socio-economic development of the community particularly in the areas of aged care, employment and education. Such a commitment is demonstrated in his involvement with Buranya Aboriginal Corporation – an Aboriginal land care group which was the winner of the 2009 NSW land care awards – NSW category.
Yvonne Stewart – Deputy Chairperson
Yvonne Stewart was appointed to the board as a member-director of the Company in July 2009. Yvonne holds an Associate Diploma of Aboriginal Studies, Health Sciences from Monash University and a Diploma of Project Management and has a strong management background with Indigenous organisations, particularly in the areas of health and housing. She also has experience in strategic environmental management and cultural and natural history. Throughout her career, Yvonne has developed high-level skills in stakeholder engagement and liaison with government agencies and local communities.
Yvonne holds positions on several boards, committees and organisations. She is Chair of both the Arakwal National Parks and the Cape Byron Lighthouse Reserve Trust and the CEO of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation and the Broken Road Caravan Park in Byron Bay. She is also a representative of the Environmental Trusts Grants Committee, Byron Shire Council Reference Group, and the Regional Advisory Committee.
Melissa Williams - Member-Director
Melissa Williams, a descendant of the Bundjalung people was appointed to the board as a member-director of the Company in April 2010. Director since 2010. Ms Williams is a descendant of the Bundjalang people. She holds a Bachelor of Business (UTS), a Graduate Certificate of Research (UWS), an innovation patent (IP Australia) Project Management (AIPM) and is currently undertaking study towards a PhD. She is the Director of the first of its kind Office of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Employment in the Australian tertiary education sector. For this work, her office won the 2010 Australian Human Resources Institute Fons Trompenaars Award for Excellence in Diversity and Cross Cultural Management, and was a finalist for the Minister’s Award for Outstanding EEO initiative and finalist for the Australian HR Awards 2012 for Best Diversity Strategy.
Melissa has previously worked in the telecommunications industry and served on the judging panel for the Australian Information Industry Association’s Awards. She is the recipient of the prestigious Chief Executive Women’s Scholarship 2012 in conjunction with the Australian Graduate School of Management at the University of Western Sydney (UWS), where her success in increasing employment and engagement amongst First Peoples throughout UWS saw her office win the 2010 Australian Human Resources Institute Fons Trompenaars Award for Diversity and Cross Cultural Management. In addition to being a finalist in the AMRI National Awards 2011 and a finalist in the Australia MR Awards 2012, she had also previously worked in the telecommunications industry and served on the judging panel for the Australian Information Industry Association’s iAwards.
Allan Lamb – Member-Director
Allan Lamb was appointed to the board as a member-director of the Company in October 2002; he is a Yuwaaliyaay and Wiradjuri man. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Language and Linguistics) and has been involved with Aboriginal community issues and affairs since 1979. He is a director of the Muurdi Paaki Regional Enterprise Corporation, and was an ATSIC councillor for the Muurdi Paaki region for the full ATSIC term. Mr Lamb is also a director of Mid Lachlan Aboriginal Housing Board. He is also heavily involved with the Goodooga Magpies RLFC and Western CMA.
Abie Wright– Member-Director
Matilda House (Williams) – Member-Director
Aunty Matilda House (Williams) was appointed to the board as a member-director of the Company in November 2005. Mrs House is a Walgalu speaking Ngambri woman who also proudly acknowledges her Wallabalooa (Ngunnawal), Pajong (Gundungurra) and Wiradjuri ancestries. She received the prestigious 2006 ACT Citizen of the Year award. Matilda was the former Chairperson of Stolen Generation, NSW & ACT. She is involved in various boards including Fatsil (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation of Languages), Country Energy, NSW/ACT Aboriginal Legal Service, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Reconciliation Place and Burringiri Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Cumbeyan Aboriginal Childrens Services. She is a member of the Murrumbidgee Catchments Area Group.
William (Badger) Bates – Member-Director
Colin Jarrett – Member-Director
Frank Fischl – Non-Member-Director
Frank Fischl was appointed to the board as a non-member-director of the Company in December 2004. He is a chartered accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce (UNSW). Frank has been a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia since 1990 and is a Member of their Professional Conduct Tribunal. Mr Fischl is a retired partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers, having been with the Company for 32 years. He was formerly registered as a liquidator and company auditor.
