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.
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."
Mary Anne Noone - Vice President
Mary Anne is an Associate Professor 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 and the South Port Community Housing Group, Mary Anne was a member of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal for 12 years and recently completed 12 years as 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 19 year old son with severe profound disability and cared for her ageing father with chronic emphysema.
Her current role as a Parent Support Worker with Association for Children with a Disability (ACD), and previously as a Community Education Coordinator for the national organisation: Australian Association for Families of Children with a Disability (AAFCD) 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 until recently was a representative on the 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 and receive consistent innovative services and support."
Mark Van Zuylekom
Mark's personal interest in Carers Victoria arose after being confronted with needing to provide joint primary care for his mother following the sudden death of his father. This set of circumstances has provided him with a first hand understanding of the difficulties that carers face in negotiating their way through the system.
At a professional level Mark has held senior roles in a range of for profit and not for profit organisations. Presently Mark is the Director Corporate Services at the Victorian Cytology Service, reporting to the CEO. Previous roles include senior executive at Rural Ambulance Victoria, State Manager with Brambles and State Operations Manager with Rentokil Initial. The specific skills that Mark brings to the Board include: building relationships with stakeholders including government, finance, marketing, business development, human resources, commercial, strategy and operations.
Mark is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a MBA from the Melbourne Business School and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne.
Mark is a member of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.
"I am passionate about carers and the difficulties they face every day. Without carers we would reduce a significant part of our population to second class citizen status. Caring is difficult enough; carers need a voice and support - and that is what Carers Victoria is all about"
Magic Barclay
Magic is the sole carer for her children with disabilities: her two sons have needed constant care since birth. Fourteen 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.”
Wesa Chau
Wesa is currently director of Cultural Intelligence, specialises in research, training and developing multicultural policies for organisations.
She has a strong passion in diversity, and some of her previous professional roles include, senior manager, project officer and management consultant in industries ranging from healthcare, government, disability and international education. She is recognised for her work in advocacy through many awards, and was named Young Victorian of the Year 2010.
A graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Wesa holds tertiary qualifications in management, law, commerce and engineering.
"I have worked with Carers Victoria previously on a number of projects relating to carers from diverse backgrounds, and I am very keen to bring my expertise to support carers who maybe from diverse backgrounds."