PRESIDENT

Marie Louise has lived in Highett for the majority of her life and takes an active interest in community events and activities. As President of the Board, she strives to promote community engagement and inclusion, whilst supporting governance activities. As a HR Professional, Marie Louise has 20 years of experience across many HR and Finance functions, specialising in Remuneration and Benefits and delivering company-wide employee Remuneration programs. Marie Louise has demonstrated the ability to work consultatively across internal teams and external providers to deliver global employee benefits programs, and to meet associated legislative and tax compliance requirements. Marie Louise hopes to bring her governance lens and community passion in my role as an HNCH Board member.

TREASURER

Ryan is our Treasurer and has a Masters Degree in Accounting and Business and is a member of Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) Australia. He has worked in his field for over 10 years and helped many commercial projects to achieve their financial objectives across different industries such as media, hospitality, agriculture export and information technology. He and his young family moved to Highett in 2017, he was seeking volunteering opportunities that can help with community development. In 2019 he was elected as the treasurer of HNCH and HCC. He thrives on helping HNCH and HCC to maintain their strong financial positions which pave the way for implementing the Board's strategic plan.

SECRETARY

Hayley, our Secretary, has a broad range of expertise in Account Management, procurement and data analytics. One of Hayley’s strengths is aligning best practices and efficiencies throughout global teams to help achieve business objectives. Hayley’s experience and passion lies within community involvement and supporting local small businesses, being a small business owner herself. She has held large community fundraising events and has volunteered for many years in different organisations in our local community. Hayley hopes to see people supporting one another within their community.

BOARD MEMBER

Craig and his family have been Bayside residents since they arrived in Australia in 2008. He has lived in several countries and experienced many other lifestyles in both developed and developing countries. He has also been in the International education and training industry in Australia and overseas since 1994, and has been instrumental in the growth and empowerment and people of all ages through the means of education and communication throughout this time. Craig firmly believes that these means have helped those around him, as well as himself, and have made them part of his principles. These broad and energising experiences have brought him into a position to want to offer similar help to his fellow Bayside residents and assist where he is able and required.

BOARD MEMBER

Lindy has lived in Bayside all her life and loves the area with a passion. Lindy is a primary school teacher and counsellor and teaches at Beaumaris Primary School. Family is everything to Lindy who has two adult daughters and a baby grandson, who bring her great joy. Interests outside her family and work are reading, cooking, keeping fit and strong, and swimming in the bay. Lindy believes the key to wellbeing is having healthy relationships and being connected to our community, hence the importance of our very valuable neighbourhood and community centres.

BOARD MEMBER

Rebecca is an Executive Manager in the Banking and Finance sector with extensive experience in leading large Operations Teams, managing Corporate Governance/Controls, change management programs and she holds a Masters in Financial Planning and a Bachelor of International Business. Rebecca has been a Bayside resident since she moved to Melbourne in 2001 and is passionate about the role our centres play in bringing all members of the Bayside community together through social, educational and recreational activities.

BOARD MEMBER

Paul is a procurement professional with experience across the engineering, energy, travel and e-commerce sectors.  His passion lies in fostering partnerships with local and indigenous businesses to provide opportunities for sustainable growth and community benefit. His background includes commercial contracting, supply chain management, risk management and establishing policy and governance frameworks, particularly within member organisations and start-up businesses.

Paul and his family are long time Bayside residents, and he is passionate about using his skills and experience to make a positive impact in the community, and contributing to the success of our centres and the role they play within the community.

BOARD MEMBER

Residing in Highett for many years and raising her two adult children in the area, Patrice is very passionate about the community and how we can support one another. With 20 plus years of experience in the Human Services field, Patrice believes that organisations like Highett and Hampton Community Centres are vital in providing community-based connectors for residents of the area whether they be young or older. Patrice wants to give back to the community and see the opportunities for everyone in the community to grow through the Community Centres. 

Felicity brings two decades of extensive and diverse board and statutory authority experience, including tenure as a Councillor and Mayor at Bayside City Council, Director of the South Metro Junior Football League, the Victorian Amateur Football Association, Trust Member of the Southern Metropolitan Cemetery Trust, Vice President of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association, Vice Chair of Fairway Aged Care and Mercantile Rowing Club. Felicity has a passion for gender equality and community empowerment and an academic background in marketing and tourism. Her accreditation in culture underscores her commitment to fostering inclusivity and belonging within organisations and communities. In recognition of her service to the Bayside Community, Felicity was honoured with the Order of Australia medal in 2019.

BOARD MEMBER

Living in Highett for nearly 40 years, Gayle has seen many changes in the area during this time. Gail has worked in local government for all of her career, which she is totally passionate about. Her roles have included working in Libraries, Building Services and managing Community Hubs. Gail believes that Neighbourhood houses are the heart of the community offering safe, vibrant and inviting meeting spaces, where the community feel engaged and can enjoy, whilst  supporting their health, wellbeing and social connection. Gail's interests include keeping in touch with my local community, gardening, local history and travel.