Chair
Helen Darch B.A., Grad Dip. Info Service, M.Ed. (Training and Development)
Responsibilities: Mylestones Chilldren's Foundation Committee (Chair), Nominations Committee (Chair), Executive Appraisal Committee, Finance and Audit Committee, Quality and Risk Committee
Helen is a Director of Niche Consultants, an Australian firm that specialises in communications, research, strategy and design. She has previously held Director and management roles at Nedhurst Consulting, Rowland Communication Group, SMS Management and University of Queensland. Helen is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors , Australian Market and Social Research Society, Society of Business Communicators and Usability Professionals Association. She is also a Director of Cerebral Palsy Australia.
Deputy Chair
Bruce Cowley BCOM, LLB (HONS)
Responsibilities: Mylestones Chilldren's Foundation Committee, Nominations Committee, Quality and Risk Committee (Chair)
Bruce is the Chairman and a senior corporate law partner of the Brisbane office of Minter Ellison and has 30 years experience acting for many large companies and government corporations. He has a particular interest in corporate governance and the duties and responsibilities of company directors and is a trusted adviser to many private and public sector Boards in Australia on corporate governance issues. He joined the CPL Board in February 2010 and is a Member of numerous state and national legal councils and committees including several associated with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), the Queensland Law Society and the Law Council of Australia. He is also President of Queensland Private Enterprise Centre and a Director of RM Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre and a Director of the Skin Cancer Network.
Treasurer
Susan Rix B.Fin.Admin, FCA, GAICD, JP (Qualified)
Responsibilities: Finance and Audit Committee formerly Audit and Risk Committee (Chair), Executive Appraisal Committee, Mylestones Children's Foundation Committee
Susan is a Chartered Accountant with more than 25 years experience and is a Partner at BDO. She brings to the Board significant experience in accounting, tax, corporate governance and business planning across a wide range of industries. Susan is also a Director of QUT Enterprise Holdings and is a Chair of Ecofund Queensland. Susan was Chairperson of CPL in 1999-2000.
Directors
Stephen Brady MBA, B.Ed.St, M.Ed.St
Responsibilities: Finance and Audit Committee formerly Audit and Risk Committee, Executive Appraisal Committee (Chair), Nominations Committee
Stephen’s work as both a primary and secondary school principal has given him a strong background in strategic planning, operational management and change management processes. Stephen also has considerable experience in both human resource management and financial and risk management. His association with CPL began when his first child began receiving services. Stephen has also worked in commercial building business in central Queensland and now works as a Contracts Administrator for Anglo American Coal, Dawson Mine.
Yvonne Burns AO
Yvonne’s support of CPL commenced with her appointment as Head of Physiotherapy in 1964 and in 1996 she was made a Life Member. Yvonne has extensive clinical teaching and research experience and has received numerous awards including Officer of Australia, Paediatric Society of Queensland – Glaxo-Wellcome Lawrie O’Brien Award (1995) for Research and Clinical Service to Children and the Australian Paediatric Physiotherapy Award for Excellence 2001. Yvonne currently holds honorary positions as Research Consultant in Physiotherapy at the University of Queensland and The Mater Health Services.
Graham Davies AM
Graham comes from Mackay and has over 40 years experience in running successful businesses. His rural understanding has been developed first-hand as a resident and primary producer of sugar and beef in the Mackay and Burdekin districts. Graham has over 30 years experience on Boards and is currently Chairman of the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA) and Director of North Queensland Bulk Ports Limited. He has held Directorships on the New Zealand Sugar Company Ltd, Sugar Australia Pty Ltd and Queensland Sugar Ltd and was also the Chairperson of the Mackay Sugar Co-Operative for 15 years. Graham has recently retired as Chairperson of the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA) after 10 and a half years.
Michael Pini B.Bus (Accountancy), Grad Dip Taxation, CPA
Responsibilities: Finance and Audit Committee formerly Audit and Risk Committee (Deputy Chair)
Michael has a wealth of experience in finance and particularly taxation. He has been with the Australian Taxation Office for 22 years and currently holds the position of Tax Counsel. When appointed to the Board in December 2006, Michael became the Chairperson of the Disability Services Committee and the Deputy Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee (now known as the Finance and Audit Committee). He has a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy), holds a Graduate Diploma in Taxation and is a CPA.
Simone Fraser LLB (Hons), BIR, MBA, GDip LegPrac
Responsibilities: Mylestones Children's Foundation
Simone is a senior analyst for a merchant bank and is also an admitted solicitor with experience in a variety of roles including corporate advisory, marketing and business development. Since 2007 she has been a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and her community work includes countless guest speaking roles and raising money for charity. When she was a child, Simone gained first-hand experience of being a CPL client and in 2001 she entered the Miss Queensland Awards raising $12,000 for CPL. Simone has also represented Australia in athletics and swimming at an international level.
Dermot Lindsay MAICD, MFinPlan, Dip FinServices(Planning), ADFS (FP)
Dermot was born in Dublin, Ireland and has been in Australia since 1991, becoming a citizen in 2002. He has a broad understanding of the challenges that face not-for-profit organisations, the complexities of managing a trust company (that operates an Australian Financial Services Licence) and the day to day decision making required that is governed by the guiding principles of fiduciary responsibilities. He believes in the highest quality customer service and has a background in strategic thinking supported by successes in analysing pricing, marketing and distribution opportunities across four industries. He has developed a strong working knowledge of retail and wholesale investments, superannuation and insurance through his roles at Colonial, IOOF, Aviva and his current role as Queensland State Manager of Perpetual Private Wealth.