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patron and board

Western Chances | Board of Western Chances

Patron: His Honour Justice Frank Vincent



"The West is rich in talented young people who, given encouragement and opportunity, can achieve much, not only for themselves but for the community in which they live. I am proud to be associated with the endeavours of Western Chances and its partners to provide an avenue for an increasing number of them to overcome limiting disadvantage and give them the confidence to aspire."



Board of Western Chances



Terry Bracks
BEd GradDipAppSc
Founding Chair

Terry Bracks is Patron of Heide Gallery and Big Brothers Big Sisters; Chair of Computers for Every Child; Co-Chair of the East Timor Friendship Schools Project; Board Member of the Breast Cancer Network Australia and the Australian Children's Television Foundation and the Number One Female Ticket Holder of the Melbourne Football Club.

Terry Bracks has a Bachelor of Education from Rusden, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Science from the West Australian Institute of Technology and is completing a Graduate Diploma in Student Welfare at Melbourne University. Terry has worked as a teacher in regional Victoria and as an electorate officer to Federal MPs.

Terry is the Founding Chair of Western Chances and the Chair of the Western Chances Audit Committee.


Lynne Wannan
Deputy Chair

Lynne Wannan is Convener of the National Association of Community Based Children's Services and Chair of its Victorian branch; Chair of Community Child Care Victoria and the Adult Community and Further Education Board of the Victorian Department of Education and Training; and a Member of the Victorian Qualifications Authority, Victorian Learning and Skills Commission, Child Care Reference Group of the Commonwealth Department of Family and Children's Services and Post-Compulsory Education Reference Group of the City of Hobson's Bay. Lynne is also a past Member of the Victorian Premier's Children's Advisory Committee and past Manager of Community Services for the City of Sunshine.

Lynne is the Deputy Chair of Western Chances, Chair of the Western Chances Program Development Subcommittee and a member of the Audit Committee.


Rozanna (Roz) Zalewski
BA LLB GradCertProfEthics
Board Member

Roz Zalewski has been a lawyer over the past 20 years working in a variety of roles in community law, asylum advocacy and as a barrister. From 1993 to 1997 she was a member on the Refugee Review Tribunal and since 2000 she has worked in the field of professional standards and ethics, initially with the Ethics Committee of the Victorian Bar Inc, then with the Legal Ombudsman and since December 2005 with the Legal Services Commissioner of Victoria.

Roz’s voluntary roles have included Amnesty International, the Lady Gowrie Childcare Centre Inc., International Commission of Jurists in Victoria, and the International Humanitarian Law Committee of the Australian Red Cross.

As a true blue "westie" (and supporter of the western bulldogs) she is passionate about working towards lasting and positive changes to the community of the west.


Patrick J Flannigan
BBus FAIM FAICD Dip
Board Member

Patrick has over twenty-five years commercial experience in the industrial services, hospitality and tourism sectors. He has held senior positions up to CEO level with responsibilities for a wide range of activities including finance, operations and marketing. Patrick has established his own business and currently serves on the board of several companies both public and private.

Patrick is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a Business Degree from Victoria University.

Patrick is a Board Member of Western Chances and the Chair of the Western Chances Finance Subcommittee.


Rosie Salvaris
BA DipEd GradDipEdAdm GradDip CivilCeleb
Board Member

Rosie Salvaris has a Bachelor of Arts, Diploma of Education, Graduate Diploma of Educational Administration and a Graduate Diploma of Civil Celebrants. She is currently working as a University Colleague with Victoria University and has recently retired as the Principal of a large secondary school. Rosie is a well-known educational leader with strong knowledge of corporate governance, finance, fundraising and human resource management.

Rosie is a Board Member of Western Chances and a Member of the Programs Subcommittee.


Kelvyn Lavelle
MA GradDipUrbResearch
Board Member

Kelvyn is Chairman of the Australian Research Group, a Board Member of the Melbourne Writers Festival and a regular commentator on media issues for 774 ABC Radio.

Kelvyn has a Master of Arts and a Graduate Diploma in Urban Research. He is currently employed by CPR Communications and Public Relations and directs media, community and Government relations strategies for a diverse range of clients. Kelvyn has been the past Manager of Training and Youth Affairs for the Commonwealth Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs.

Kelvyn is a Board Member of Western Chances and a Member of the Western Chances Fundraising and Development Subcommittee.


Carol Schwartz
Board Member BA LLB MBA

Ms Carol Schwartz is a Director of Highpoint Property Group, responsible for Highpoint Shopping Centre, one of Australia’s largest regional shopping centres.

Ms Schwartz has a diverse background incorporating the arts, law and business administration. She is the current Chairman of Industry Superannuation Property Trust (ISPT) and Our Community, as well as a director on a number of significant boards.

In May 2005 she was appointed as Chairman for the Melbourne International Arts Festival. Ms Schwartz currently serves as a board member of the Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney, Western Chances and is Chairman for the Vic Urban Art Panel Advisory Committee and Chair of the Future Melbourne Reference Group.


Rosalind Willett
BEd
Board Member

Rosalind Willett is Managing Director of marketing agency John Willett and Associates.

Ros has a Bachelor of Education and has held teaching, Deputy Principal and Principal positions in Secondary Schools, including the development and provision of specialist education programs for disadvantaged youth. Ros has extensive experience in corporate and government sponsorship, events, community and education communication programs.

Ros is a Board Member of Western Chances and a Member of the Western Chances Fundraising and Development Subcommittee.


Deborah Beale
BComm MBA
Board Member

Deborah Beale is Director of Ernst and Young's Risk and Technology Group in Melbourne, specialising in Governance Advisory Services.

Deborah has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and a Masters of Business Administration from Melbourne Business School. Deborah has broad experience in the areas of finance, corporate governance, fundraising, public relations and risk management.

Deborah is a Board Member of Western Chances and a Member of the Governance Subcommittee.


Nancy De Losa
BSc GradDipMarketing GradDipHealthEd&Promotion
Board Member

Nancy has over 15 years experience in the areas of Strategic Marketing and Planning, Marketing Communications and Organisational Change. She has been involved in leading organisations through significant growth and profitability, differentiated market positioning, organisational change and cultural development.

Nancy has completed a Graduate Diploma in Marketing, a Graduate Diploma in Health Education and Promotion, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Nutrition. Currently the Head of Marketing at Lawlex, she has led the development of a number of brands from start-up and through significant change processes.

Nancy is a Board Member of Western Chances and the Chair of the Western Chances Marketing and Development Subcommitee.


James Higgins
Board Member

James Higgins is a Principal Lawyer and shareholder of the only publicly listed law firm in the world, Slater & Gordon (“SAG”). He is National Practice Group Leader of the firm’s Project Litigation group which focuses on class actions in the shareholder, cartel and pharmaceutical areas. The group also conducts a number of public interest cases including detainee and international human rights cases. He is a member of the SAG’s National Executive. SAG recently acquired the established western suburban firm Secombs which strengthened its’ long established presence in the west.

Prior to his current role James established the firm’s Brisbane office and headed up that office from June 2004 until January 2007. In Brisbane as well as management responsibilities he acted on behalf of asbestos victims, unions, governments and business.

James is also a former Senior Adviser to the then Premier of Victoria from October 1999 to February 2002. In Government he had special responsibility for coordinating the Governments Parliamentary Affairs, including liaison with Caucus and Independent Members. He also advised the Premier in the then policy areas of gaming and justice. James filled similar roles for the Leaders of the Opposition, both the Honourable Steve Bracks and the Honourable John Brumby during their respective stints as Leader of the Opposition from 1996 to 1999.

James completed an Honours degree in Law at Monash University, as well as an Honours Degree in Arts, majoring in Political Science and Drama and Theatre Studies.

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