Our Board of Directors

Terry Lawler – Chair of the Board

Qualifications: B Com, FCA, FAICD, FAIM 

Experience: Independent non-executive director since July 2002 and Chair since 2002. Extensive experience as a chartered accountant providing business, internal audit, operational and strategic advice. Chair of PKF Lawler Corporate Finance. Chair of Ampcontrol Group. Chair of Hunter Water Corporation. Chair of Hunter Water Australia. 

Special Responsibilities: Chair. Member of the Finance and Audit Committee. Member of the Remuneration Committee. Trustee of the LWB New Zealand Trust.

Robert Ferris – Director

Experience: Independent non-executive director since July 2002. Extensive experience in business management and organisational operations. Member of the National Carers Sub-Committee. 

Special Responsibilities: Chair of the Remuneration Committee. Member of the Reconciliation Committee. Member of the Research and Public Policy Committee. Trustee of the Life Without Barriers New Zealand Trust.

Gillian Calvert AO – Director

Qualifications: MBA, BSW, BA 

Experience: Independent non-executive director since February 2012. Extensive leadership in the human services sector, working across Government and non-Government, primarily in improving the lives of children and young people. Commissioner for Children and Young People, New South Wales 1999-2009. 

Special Responsibilities: Chair of the Practice Committee. Member of the Risk Management Committee. Member of the Research and Public Policy Committee.

Graeme Innes AM – Director

Qualifications: AM LLB 

Appointed 23 May 2014.

Experience: Independent and non-executive director since May 2014. Lawyer, mediator and director. Human Rights Practitioner for 30 years in NSW, Western Australia and nationally. Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner from 2005 – 2014. During that time served as Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner for three and a half years and as Race Discrimination Commissioner for two years. 

Special Responsibilities: Member of the Practice Committee.

Anthony Deegan – Director

Qualifications: B Com, LLB 

Experience: Independent non-executive director since November 2004. Practising solicitor since 1978, currently a partner at Sparke Helmore, providing commercial advice specialising in information communications technology and intellectual property. 

Special Responsibilities: Chair of the Risk Management Committee. Chair of the ICT Steering Committee. Member of the Remuneration Committee. Trustee of the Life Without Barriers New Zealand Trust.

Tracey McCosker – Director

Qualifications: MAICD, MBA, B Comm 

Experience: Independent non-executive director since July 2002. Extensive senior management experience in the public health sector. Chief Executive of NSW Health Pathology. 

Special responsibilities: Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. Member of the Risk Management Committee. Member of the Reconciliation committee.

Sharon Gollan – Director

Qualifications: MSW, BA (AbAffAdmin) 

Experience: Independent non-executive director since March 2006. Has worked professionally and academically in a range of human services fields and has over thirty years of experience in the health, youth, children and community services. Sharon is known for her work as a facilitator of Cultural Respect and Safety training that can lead to respectful partnerships between Aboriginal and Non Aboriginal Australians. 

Special Responsibilities: Chair of the Reconciliation Committee.

Sue Gordon AM – Director

Qualifications: LLB 

Experience: Independent non-executive director since December 2009. Extensive experience in improving the lives of Aboriginal people. Magistrate of the Children’s Court of Western Australia for over 20 years. Chair of the Sister Kate’s Children 1934 to 1953 Aboriginal Corporation since 2001. Sits on a variety of Boards and Trusts around Australia in relation to Aboriginal people and communities.

Jan Lowe – Director

Qualifications: BA, DipEd, FUNISA 

Experience: Independent non-executive director since April 2004. Extensive experience in senior Government roles in community services, social justice, higher education and local Government. Currently runs JL Consulting, a business that works on organisational change, governance and international disability service relations. Has served on a range of not-for-profit boards and is currently a Director of Every Voice, Australia. 

Special Responsibilities: Chair of the Life Without Barriers New Zealand Trust. Chair of the Research and Public Policy Committee. Member of the Remuneration Committee.

Paul Murphy OAM – Director

Qualifications: ANIA, MAICD, JP

Resigned 28 August 2014.

Experience: Independent non-executive director since July 2002. Extensive experience with commercial business operations management and as a director. Managing Director of Churchill’s Carpet Court, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.