Meet our Board
Meet our Board
David Fitch - President
After retiring as Chief Executive Partner of significant mid-tier commercial law firm Lander and Rogers in July 2009, David remains with the organisation as Consultant, chairing their Ethics and Best Practice Committee, overseeing risk management, culture and corporate social responsibility, about which he is deeply passionate.
In addition to a law degree, David is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds various certifications for executive coaching.
Since joining the Carers Victoria Board, David has become involved on various Board committees including Audit, Risk and Compliance; Governance; Tenders Working Group; and the Recruitment, Review and Remuneration Committee.
"I know from personal experience that caring can happen to anyone, anytime and I am deeply aware that too many families are living with appallingly inadequate supports. It is a privilege to lead Carers Victoria to meet the challenges ahead."
Trevor Aronson - Treasurer
Trevor’s interest in Carers Victoria arose from his work with seniors and from his personal experience of caring for aged family members, along with supporting a number of friends, and their families, as they battled terminal illnesses.
With many years experience in the financial services sector in both Australia and South Africa, Trevor combines creativity, vision and a hands-on approach to ensuring the delivery of positive business results.
Trevor has held senior executive positions at Australian Seniors Finance, Goldman Sachs JB Were, and IOOF, and is currently Principal of Positive Outcomes (financial services industry).
Currently Treasurer of Carers Victoria’s Board, Trevor is also a member of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.
"By careful and caring financial management, we can empower and support those on the frontline of caring in the wider community"
Mary Anne Noone - Vice President
Mary Anne is a senior lecturer in the School of Law at La Trobe University and has been involved with improving access to justice and social justice throughout her working life. Mary Anne has many years experience at both a practical and policy level in poverty law and legal aid.
Active in a range of community organisations including the management committee of the West Heidelberg Community Legal Service, Mary Anne was a member of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal for 12 years and is currently a member of the Board of Directors, Victoria Legal Aid.
Mary Anne is currently sitting on the Governance Committee.
“I cared for my own mother for many years and I believe that the combination of my professional and personal skills means I can continue to make a positive contribution.”
David Bartlett
David's desire to support caring families arose while juggling caring for ageing parents in a household that also included young children, experiencing first hand the challenges of delivering palliative care for his terminally ill father-in-law.
David has over 25 years senior executive and board experience gained in private and public sector organisations, including the not for profit sector. Currently a corporate banker with National Australia Bank, David works closely with many large Australian service organisations, including the affordable housing sector. Previously he has held positions as head of Development and Marketing for RMIT University, Market Strategy Manager for Duke Energy International (a Fortune 500 company) and Assistant General Manager Development for the Tasmanian Development Authority. At KPMG, David led a team of consultants that specialised in delivering significant government support for major initiatives such as Melbourne University’s biotechnology precinct.
A Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, David holds tertiary qualifications in management, commerce and engineering gained in Australia and the UK.
David is a member of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.
"My personal experience reveals how essential it is to ensure the well being of carers and to support all those that help deliver such important family and social outcomes. I am honoured to have the opportunity to use my extensive commercial and governance experience to help Carers Victoria address the challenges faced by carers in Victoria".
Briony Dow
Briony’s personal experience of caring began when caring for her father who was terminally ill with cancer, and continues today with her ongoing advocacy for a daughter with a learning disability.
Her career experience spans various social work positions; including community aged care, disability and mental health. Briony’s research work has included various studies focussing on carers, and she has had six papers published in peer reviewed journals, including four with a focus on carers.
Briony is currently the Director of the Preventative & Public Health Division of the National Ageing Research Institute, and is also President of the Australian Association of Gerontology, Victorian Executive.
Briony is a member of the Business Development and Marketing Committee.
“It is a privilege to be a member of the Carers Victoria Board where I can contribute my research contacts, skills and experience to further support carers.”
Helen Johnson
Helen has personal experience of caring – for her son with severe profound disability and her father with emphysema.
Her roles as a Parent Support Worker, and previously as a Community Education Coordinator, for the Association for Children with a Disability have provided Helen with significant experience of systemic and individual advocacy at both a state and national level.
Helen also contributes skills in finance, marketing and media. Helen is Victoria’s representative on the Carers Australia Board and a representative on National Disability Services Committee for Children, Young People and their Families.
"I am passionate to create holistic community and political awareness of the many and varied needs and issues of all carers, ensuring the voice of carers is heard within all levels of government and the general community. I believe all carers, the people they care for and their families should have opportunities to make informed choices arid receive consistent innovative services and support."
Peter Kent
Peter’s career experience is in journalism, government and professional services. He is currently Managing Director of Porter Novelli, part of an international marketing communications group.
Peter’s initial involvement with Carers Victoria was through providing pro bono marketing services. Working across many organizations and sectors, Peter has observed the impact of demographic shift and growing demand for flexible workplaces to account for staff with increased caring responsibilities. In his own business, Peter is recognized for support and implementation of carer-friendly workplace policies and practices.
Peter is a member of Carers Victoria’s Business Development and Marketing Committee and has connected Carers Victoria to a range of people who are now also supporting the organisation in pro bono capacity. He is a director of Porter Novelli Australia, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and also serves on the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal Development Council.
“I am committed to what Carers Victoria does and seeks to do; I have the skills and experience to bring greater awareness of the value of carers and carers’ issues, and to reach hidden carers in the community.”
Anne Oakley
For more than 15 years, Anne has been caring for her ageing parents, both with dementia. Anne has also played a supportive role for a family member with Asperger’s Syndrome.
Anne has a wide range of experience in the financial, marketing/media and academic sectors, and strong experience in Government relations and policy development in the community sector. A registered nurse, Anne is currently Manager at Melbourne Citymission Palliative Care Service.
A solid understanding of the importance of strong governance and strategic planning processes for community services underpins Anne’s contributions to the Board, where she sits on the Governance Committee. Anne also held the position of President at Carers Victoria from 1998 to 2004.
“I am passionate about working with community services to ensure that carers and their needs are heard and are integral to the core business of all services.”
Magic Barclay
Magic cares for three family members with disabilities: two young sons and her husband. Twelve years of caring has given Magic a keen understanding of the importance of carer health. She is passionate about improving carer recognition in the community, and contributes her determination and organisation to improving supports for future generations of caring families.
Magic is a member of the Governance Committee.
“ As a full time family carer, I know how hard things seem at times. Fortunately, I am also able to recognise the positives I get from being a carer. I wouldn't have it any other way.”