About Us
Vern Fettke, President, joined Mambourin’s Board in October 2003, and was Treasurer from 2004 to 2010. Professionally, Vern is Managing Director and founder of Homestead Financial Group which commenced in1997. Prior to that he had 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management. Vern has a wide range of community involvement, including President of the Werribee Chamber of Commerce, and the Chairman of the Wyndham Community Foundation. Vern has also been a Justice of the Peace since 1990.
Don Atherton, Vice-President, first became involved with Mambourin in 1996, helping with the construction of the Mambourin Sensory Gardens. Don joined our Board in the same year and was President of the Board from 2000 to 2010. 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, and currently works as a technical consultant to the steel industry. Don takes a specific interest in occupational health and safety across the organisation.
Andrew McGowan, Treasurer, joined the Board at Mambourin in 2005 and became Treasurer in 2010. Since joining he has developed an understanding of the political, social and economic factors that impact on our community. He currently chairs the Risk Subcommittee. Andrew is a Detective Senior Sergeant with Victoria Police, and currently works in the Force’s Covert Services Division. He brings to the board a sound background in managing security risks.
Cathy Jeffkins, Secretary,joined the Mambourin Board of Directors in 2005 and is also a member of the Bacchus Marsh Grammar School Council. Cathy has committed many years to volunteering in the local community, which has given her a strong understanding of the resource challenges faced by many Committees and Boards when it comes to budgets, volunteers and achieving audience awareness. Over the years, Cathy has worked for Non Government organisations, in the Private and State Government Sectors and is currently employed as a Federal Public Servant specialising in corporate governance and quality management.
Krist Davood joined Mambourin’s Board in 2009. Krist is an experienced director with a demonstrated capacity to add value by sharing his insights on Information Technology, Risk Management and Governance. Krist gained his strong business leadership skills with product management, delivery credentials and strategic planning with an impressive list of top 100 companies in the utilities, telecommunications, retail banking, manufacturing, construction, resources, management consulting and insurance industries.
Barry Fitton joined Mambourin’s Board in 2009. Barry holds a Diploma in Superannuation Management and Occupational Health and Safety, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Barry has extensive experience as an advocate in various State and Federal tribunals and extensive experience in the management of occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation matters. Barry has also represented government as the chairperson of various committees. Barry is the father of a Mambourin service user.
Megan Puszkar joined Mambourin’s Board of Directors in October 2009. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Media Studies, and is a practising lawyer with Harwood Andrews in their Werribee office. Megan holds a range of professional memberships. Megan is a young lawyer who practises, and lives her life, with a very strong ethical and moral compass. She is driven to help improve the lives of people who experience disadvantage in our community.
Ruth Mackay re-joined the Board in 2010 having had previous stints on Mambourin’s Board, the first approximately 20 years ago and the second between 2005 and 2007. Ruth has significant personal experience with disability, being the sister of a person with disability who lives in supported accommodation. Professionally, Ruth is also highly experienced in this field, as a teacher for many years at a local special school. With this strong background in disability, Ruth has great empathy with the people we support and is a fierce and determined advocate, always ensuring that their support needs are foremost in the Board’s decision making.
Jason Anderson joined Mambourin’s Board in March 2012. He is a father, leader and advocate who, at 23 years of age, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Jason has lived for the past four years in supported accommodation in Williamstown, but is planning for the day when he can live independently in his own home in the community. Jason undertook the Leadership Plus Program in 2008, is an ambassador for the Summer Foundation, was until recently the Vice Chairperson for Disability Connections Victoria, is the face of the MS Society and was a consumer representative on the DHS My Future My Choice Advisory Committee.
Cory Becker joined Mambourin’s Board in March 2012. He is the Community Development Coordinator with the City of Wyndham where he has worked for the past decade. Cory recently completed a Masters in Business Administration and in addition to his professional work has contributed to the local community including as the senior coach of the Mambourin Tigers (now Wyndham All Abilities) Football Club for six years.
