Board of Directors
Don Atherton, President
Don is the Rolling Mills Technical Manager, an Executive position with OneSteel. Don first became involved with Mambourin in 1996, helping with the construction of the Mambourin Sensory Gardens.
Don led a team of colleagues from Werribee Lions who stepped in and provided all assistance necessary to successfully complete the project. Don joined our Board in the same year and became President of the Board in 2000. Don received a Distinguished Service Award from the Council of Intellectual Disability Agencies in 2006 for his outstanding service to the sector. Don is also a Justice of the Peace.
Julie Mason, Vice President
Julie is the Principal of the Baden Powell College. She has been a local Principal for the last 12 years. Prior to joining Mambourin's Board in September 2002, Julie had been Chair of Mambourin's capital fundraising committee, dubbed "Grow Ability". Julie has seen massive changes since joining the Board, and has contributed significantly using her professional skills.
Governance processes have been developed substantially, together with encouraging an enterprise culture and more professional approach throughout the organisation. Julie is a member of Wyndham Rotary and in 2006 was awarded the Principal of the Year.
Vern Fettke, Treasurer
Vern joined Mambourin's Board in October 2003, and has been Treasurer since 2004. Professionally, Vern is the Managing Director of Homestead Financial Group, a business that he started in 1997. Prior to that he had 20 years' experience in the hospitality industry. Vern has a wide range of community involvement, including President of the Werribee Chamber of Commerce, and a mentor of Wyndham Rotaract.
Vern is also Chair of the Wyndham Community Foundation. Vern said "I've always wanted to assist people with disabilities however I don't have the necessary skill for direct personal help so through the Board with the skills I have is a real way for me to contribute using my business skills."
Cathy Jeffkins, Secretary
Cathy joined the Mambourin Board of Directors in 2005 and was nominated to the role of Board Secretary in 2008. Cathy is also currently the President of the Manorvale Primary School Council, where she has been a Council member since 2002. At various times Cathy has also been a committee member of the St Andrews Fair, Weerama Festival, Miss Weerama Quest and Hoppers Crossing Football Club.
Cathy understands the resource challenges faced by many Committees and Boards when it comes to budgets, volunteers and audience awareness. She hopes her growing Board experience and input will help Mambourin achieve success both corporately and for the communities that Mambourin serves. Cathy is currently employed by the Department of Defence and specializes in project management governance. Cathy is married with one child and enjoys gardening, integrity and laughing.
Therese Awad, Director
Therese joined Mambourin’s Board in July 2006; and has been involved with Mambourin since 1996 She holds a close relationship with Mambourin’s participants, families, managers and staff. Therese is currently assisting a young student with a disability studying Marketing at Monash University.
She achieved the Information Technology Diploma General (Website Development) from VUT 2007 and is currently in the process of establishing her own business as a Web Designer. Previously Therese held a position of Team Leader for 18 years with Australian National Credit Union now Credit Union Australia. Therese has been an active committee member and Public Officer with Interchange Western Region.
Sandra Davies, Director
Andrew McGowan, Director
Andrew joined the Board at Mambourin in late 2005. Since that time he has developed an understanding of the political, social and economic factors that impact on our community. He currently chairs the recently established Risk Sub Committee and represents Mambourin on the Ison House Committee of Management. Prior to his involvement with Mambourin Andrew spent 6 years on the Manorvale Primary School Council, including 2 years as their Council President. Andrew and his wife Vicki have lived in Werribee for over 20 years.
They have two children aged 18 and 15. In a professional capacity, Andrew has been a member of the Victoria Police for 28 years and works in the Force's Security Intelligence Group. Andrew has a Graduate Diploma in Terrorism, Safety and Security, as well as graduate qualifications in applied management and security risk management. He brings to the board a sound background in managing security risks and hopes to apply this experience to helping Mambourin grow and achieve its strategic objectives
Mary Gillett, Director
Mary Gillett was the Member for Werribee (Tarneit) in the State Parliament from 1996 until 2006. For ten years before that, Mary was a union official with the National Union of Workers. Mary’s interest in disability services is both professional and personal. Her connection with Mambourin started when she was our local Member of Parliament.
Mary was always concerned to represent the special interests of Mambourin with the State Government and other local disability service providers with enthusiasm. Mary’s family has volunteered as a Host family with Interchange Western for the last two years, an experience which they all find intensely rewarding. Mary joined the Board of Mambourin after her retirement from State Parliament in 2006 so that she could continue to help to improve Mambourin’s services for the benefit of our clients and our staff.
David Hanlon, Director
David is a lawyer with more than 27 years' experience. He is a Special Counsel for the Family Law Department of Harwood Andrews Lawyers in Werribee. Prior to this role he worked in his own legal practice. David is committed to and passionate about his local Community.
He was a Trustee of the Memorial Park and Williamstown Cemeteries for over 10 years; he has been involved with the Mambourin Tigers (e.g. umpires the annual fundraising football match with business people) and is a keen supporter of the Weerama Great Australian Dunny Race. A recent addition to Mambourin's Board, David said "I intend to bring the analytical, problem-solving and legal skills to bear in my efforts to help Mambourin help the people that we serve."
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