Our Board

Wayne Weaire

Chair

Occupation: Farmer, Board Director and Chairman, Family Therapist and formerly Public and Private Hospital CEO.

Qualifications: Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, B.Theol Melb, Assoc Member ACHSM

Appointed to the Board in 2016, Wayne brings over twenty-three years of experience in public and private hospital, health and community care sector executive management, as well as extensive experience with public and private philanthropy and is a founding Director of Australian Community Philanthropy. Wayne is a practicing clinical family therapist and holds Board positions including on the Corrangamite Catchment Authority and is the former chair of the Bunanyung Landscape Alliance.

Chair of Executive Committee, Member of the Finance and Allocations Committees

Ian Corcoran

Deputy Chair

Occupation: Retired, former owner operator of McDonalds Bakery Hill and Brighton

Qualifications: Graduate and Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Diploma of Business (Accounting)

Appointed to the Board in 2016, Ian is the immediate past Chair of the AICD Ballarat Regional Committee. He is current Chair of the Buninyong Community Bank, Deputy Chair of the Ballarat Foundation and works in an advisory role to the greater Bendigo Bank holding positions on a number of marketing committees as well as working in a mentor role for the Community Bank network. Ian brings a deep knowledge of the consumer and retail sector as well as private sector Board experience in banking, hospitality & gaming, NFP charities and golf sports industry. He is an active community member having held leading roles in Rotary, Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities, Red Shield Appeal and other community organisations.

Member of Executive, Finance and Allocations Committees

Nigel Jarvis

Treasurer

Occupation: Executive Director Finance & Corporate Services at Western Victoria Primary Health Network

Qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce Accounting and Business Management

Appointed to the Board in April 2018, Nigel has previously worked as Director of Commercial Operations Services St John of God Hospital Regional Victoria, Director of Business & Finance at Ballan District Health & Care and as Senior Financial Accountant for Ballarat Health Services. He is also a Board Director & Treasurer of Beaufort & Skipton Health Services.

Chair of Finance Committee, Member of Executive Committee

Emily Sweet

Occupation: Head of Engagement, Australian Community Media

Qualifications: BA Journalism & Public Relations

Appointed to the Board in 2016, Emily is a digital news leader with 14 years of expertise in regional media.  Working across Australian Community Media’s 135+ regional websites, she is responsible for engaging and retaining subscribers, working closely with newsrooms, product and customer service teams to drive engaging news content and user experience across platforms. At a volunteer level, Emily is involved in Rotary Young Ambition and a member of Deakin University’s Ballarat Medical School Community Advisory Board.

At a volunteer level, Emily is involved in Rotary Young Ambition, a member of Deakin University’s Ballarat Medical School Community Advisory Board and a board member of Eureka Community Kindergarten Association

Chair of Allocations Committee

Prue Orchard

Occupation: Manager, Operations and Health Resource Stewardship

Chief Medical Office Ballarat Health Services

Qualifications: Masters of Business Administration, Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Graduate Certificate in Human Resources, Bachelor of Management

Appointed to the Board in 2016, Prue has a passion for good governance in the Community Sector bringing her extensive governance experience with Ballarat Health Services and Central Highlands Water.

Chair of Governance Committee

Neil Jens

Occupation: Director Jens Veal Partners

Appointed to the Board in April 2018, Neil has over 40yrs experience in real estate and in 1986 he founded a real estate office in Ballarat and grew it to one of the largest in Victoria. He is an industry leader in marketing and consulting of residential land estates with an extraordinary track record of success in this regard. A great supporter of all things Ballarat, Neil has been involved in numerous organisations. He has held the role of chair and board member of Ballarat Child and Family Services and Conservation Volunteers of Australia. His services to both organisations and also to Sovereign Hill in Ballarat have been recognised with life memberships.

Carole Ainio

Company Secretary

Occupation: Lawyer (Retired)

Qualifications: B. Laws (LL.B), Grad. Dip. Legal Practice

Appointed to the Board in 2018, Carole brings a background in legal practice in areas of Administration (Guardianship), Elder Law, personal injury, Family Law, property, Estate related including Testator Family Maintenance claims, criminal law. Carole has been the co-chair of the national Law Council of Australia’s Elder Law & Succession Law Committee, Member Law Institute of Victoria’s Elder Law Committee. Prior to commencing legal practice Carole worked with the Brotherhood of St Laurence and the Northern Land Council (Northern Territory).

Member of Governance and Allocation Committees

Lee Miezis

Occupation: CEO Environmental Protection Authority

Qualifications: Masters of Business Administration, Bachelor of Forest Science

Appointed the Board May 2019 Lee brings over 25 years’ experience in the public sector in NSW and Victoria, working in executive roles across policy, operations, service delivery and regulation.  Accomplished at both strategy development and execution Lee brings strong commercial and financial acumen with a focus on good governance and managing risk.

Member of Donor Engagement Committee

Christine Shaw

Occupation: Deputy Principal - Loreto College Ballarat

Qualifications: Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Master of Education, Graduate Diploma of Education Administration, Bachelor of Education Physical Education/English

Appointed to the Board in January 2021, Christine is a lifelong educator who has worked as a teacher and senior leader at various schools in Melbourne, Brisbane and Ballarat including Ballarat Grammar and Ballarat Clarendon College. Her professional focus has been on organisational development through leading curriculum and pastoral care, presenting on education both nationally and internationally. Believing strongly in the importance of positive organisational culture, wellbeing and its importance in the lives of young people, Chris has a passion for creating cultures and environments that allow young people to thrive. Service empowers the shaping of character and values and as an educator Chris enjoys being a part building positive communities. 

Member of Finance Committee and Governance Committee

Jacki Whitwell

Occupation: Consultant                         

Qualifications: Graduate Certificate of Social Impact, Bachelor of Arts – Community Development

Appointed to the Board in January 2021, Jacki is an executive leader with more than 15 years experience in the not-for-profit sector in a variety of strategic policy, research and advocacy roles working with some of Australia’s largest and most respected not-for-profit organisations. She is passionate about youth empowerment and ensuring all children and young people can reach their full potential. Jacki is currently working for a social policy consulting company and is completing her Masters of Business Administration (Social Impact). Jacki moved with her family to Ballarat two years ago and is keen to use her skills and experience to support the local community.