Aged Care Advocacy Line (toll free)1800 700 600
Debra has worked in Residential Aged Care and the community providing direct support to older people and their carers in South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria. She joined ERA in 2006 and has held many distinct roles over the past 17 years, including Intake, Advocate, Senior Educator, Advocacy Manager, Programs Manager and Deputy CEO.
She has travelled across Victoria promoting the rights of older people, providing information to the community and education to aged care workers. Debra has spoken at many conferences on the rights of older people to live free from abuse and to receive person-centred care. She holds qualifications in Leadership and Management, Community Development and Mediation.
Jan joined the ERA Board in April 2021 with a background in the Federal and Northern Territory Public Service, the mining industry, merchant banking, consultancy and tourism. Most recently, she has been a refugee advocate and a Consumer Representative on a significant project for Breast Screen Victoria. Jan strongly believes in human rights and equity, particularly for those whose voices are not always heard.
Graeme is a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fellow of Finsia (Financial Services Institute of Australasia), he joined Elder Rights Advocacy in August 2023 and is a Company Secretary in the Local Government area and a past financial services professional. His experience is across risk management, compliance, audit, legal and governance, having worked in these areas for the finance, education, health and Local Government industry for over 50 years. Graeme is a Rotarian of 30+ years, a Life member of Apex Clubs of Australia and a past Treasurer & Deputy Chair of COTA (Vic) and was motivated to join the board of Elder Rights Advocacy to support the challenges facing older Australians, and to give back to the community.
Alison joined Elder Rights Advocacy in April 2023 and is a retired lawyer and financial services professional. Her experience is across risk management, compliance, audit, legal and governance, having worked in these areas for the superannuation and funds management industry for over 37 years. Alison was motivated to join the board of Elder Rights Advocacy to support the challenges facing older Australians (including financial (in)adequacy), and to give back to the community.
Peter joined Elder Rights Australia Ltd in October 2023. He is Chair of The Disability Trust Ltd, (including ermha365 Ltd and OC Connections Ltd) that provides mental health, disability and employment services. He is a member of the General Advisory Standing Committee of .au Domain Administration Limited.
He has over 15 years’ experience as a non-executive director having previously served on the boards of Karingal St Laurence ‘genU’, Wellways, Forticom Group, Carers Australia and Yooralla, where he also served as President and Chair respectively. He has significant executive level experience with prior CEO and senior executive roles with Callista Software Services, Loyalty Pacific ‘FlyBuys’, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Accenture, National Disability Insurance Agency, Axciom, NRMA, Shell Australia and NAB. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Agriculture Science, Bachelor of Agriculture Science and Graduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance and is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Qualifications: Master of Social Work, Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts
Experience and expertise: Minh has experience in governance, risk and strategic leadership through board membership of community and membership-based organisations. She has worked in diverse sectors with roles in senior management, research and evaluation and systemic advocacy.
Minh is passionate about social justice, representation and respecting people as experts in their own lives.
Barry Smith is an experienced non-executive director for not-for-profit organisations. In the past three decades he has served on disability, employment and training boards.
He has most recently been the chair of State Schools Relief and prior to that was chair of Disabilities Opportunities Victoria (DOV). Barry commenced his working life as a secondary school teacher and has been a union official, a government advisor and a business owner.
Barry was the owner operator of Your Employment Solutions, which delivered employment services for the federal government across Victoria.
Henry has 40 years experience as a Chartered Accountant, with strong technical skills in governance, accounting principles and standards.
He has a strong record of working with business, both at strategic and operational levels, to implement change and to drive commercial and financial success.
Henry has also been a member of Rotary since 2007, holding various leadership positions and working to make a difference in local communities and contributing to Rotary’s International projects.
