Volunteering Australia Appoints New Board Directors

Not for Profit peak body Volunteering Australia has appointed a new Chairman and two new Board Members saying the move is in a bid to building greater industry engagement and collaboration within the Australian Volunteering sector.

New Volunteering Australia Chair Matt Rutter.

Board member Matt Rutter has been promoted to Board Chairman replacing outgoing long-time Chair Paul Lynch.

Rutter has been a member of the VA Board serving as treasurer.

“He brings extensive experience in senior corporate roles and has sat on the board of Volunteering Western Australia since 2008, holding the role of Chairman since 2009,” the VA Board said in a statement.

“He has experience on a number of other Not for Profit boards and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Matt also holds a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment.”

VA also announced new Board representatives from ACT and Tasmania: Jane Hayden and Michelle Ewington.

“Jane was elected Chair of Volunteering ACT in 2013 following two years as Treasurer and Chair of Volunteering ACT’s Finance and Audit Committee. Jane is the CEO of Lifeline Australia, has extensive experience in the private, public and Not for Profit sectors and holds several Board Directorships,” the VA Board said.

“Prior to joining Lifeline Jane had 20 years experience in business and IT consulting to the corporate and Government sectors.

“Michelle Ewington has been employed by Red Cross for the past seven years and currently holds the position of National Co- ordinator, Youth Health & Wellbeing.

“She has experience in Learning & Development and Project Management and coordinated a successful youth volunteer program for several years. Michelle now oversees a number of youth focused programs that draw upon the skills and support of volunteers.”

VA said it would also like to thank outgoing members, Dianne Carlos (Chair of Volunteering ACT and CEO of the Department of the Environment) and Frances Healy (Chair, Volunteering Tasmania) for their extensive contributions to the board and tireless efforts on behalf of the organisation.

“VA has undergone a significant transition over the past 12 months. We now have a new strategic plan, a blueprint for the future, a new CEO and relocated our head office to Canberra,” new Board Chair Matt Rutter said.

“I would especially like to acknowledge the tireless work of Paul Lynch during this significant time in VA’s history. The legacy of Paul’s leadership is a committed and talented team in Canberra with the backing of a strong and united national network of members.”

Returning VA Board members include:

• ·Tim Jackson (Chair of Volunteering South Australia and Northern Territory and CEO of the City of Playford);

• Valerie Hoogstad (Chair, Centre for Volunteering);

• Robyn Rose (Chair of Volunteering Victoria and Senior Manager of Enterprise Services at Catholic Care);

• Andrew Coghlan (National Manager, Emergency Management Volunteer Forum);

• Ross Wiseman (President of Volunteering Queensland);

• Kevin Thompson (Lead-Workforce, Australian Sports Commission).