Sam Theodore Chairman Expand Sam is a Senior Audit and Risk professional having worked in financial services, professional services and major corporates. Sam has been involved in Blind Sports since 1989 in various capacities, having started as state coach for Goalball and later becoming Australian Paralympic Committee Head Coach, attending 3 Paralympic games, Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney. In later years Sam has focused on administration and appointed on the Boards of Goalball Australia and Blind Sports Australia. Sam has completed a Masters of Accounting and a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Banking and Finance. Sam values the engagement of the blind and vision impaired community participating in sport at a recreational and elite level. Email: [email protected] Phone: 0414 563 203
Voula Karantzas Deputy Chair Expand Voula is a senior logistics supply chain and procurement professional. She has a demonstrated broad range of experience in industry, consulting and volunteer organisations. She also has strong leadership and stakeholder management skills fostering team-orientated environment and coaching team and individuals to be highly effective. Voula is highly motivated to improve business models, lead teams and make a difference through consistently high team engagement and productivity. Voula says "I was delighted to have been appointed to the Blind Sports Australia board as it allows me to bring my passion to make a difference and my professional experience to a worthy cause."
Melissa Martin Director Expand Melissa brings a strong background in human resources, recruitment, outplacement and career coaching. She has worked across a range of industries including financial services, professional services and recruitment. She also brings significant experience consulting to industries such as education, childcare, energy, and market research. As a specialist in Human Resource Management and Career Coaching, Melissa provides individuals and business leaders with the support they need to ensure on-going success and satisfaction be that on a professional or business level. Melissa has completed a Masters of Organisational Psychology, and a Bachelor of Social Science, majoring in psychology. She is a certified Career Coach and a qualified Trainer and Assessor. Melissa is also a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute and the Career Development Association of Australia. Melissa is keen to utilise her experience to assist BSA to achieve its mission of promoting blind sports to all members of the community, increasing participation in blind sports and advocating on behalf of its members.
Kent Dredge Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) Expand Kent is a Member Protection Information Officer for Blind Sports Australia. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via phone on 0402 564 991
Matthew Clayton Chief Executive Officer Expand Matthew comes to Blind Sports Australia with a wealth of experience in the Not for Profit Sector. Most recently Matthew spent 4 and a half years at the Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation, where his role as Deputy Director had him involved in a range of different fundraising activities, engaging with a range of different stakeholders across the hospital and managing the operational aspects of the Foundation. Prior to this Matthew worked with the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation in the areas of charitable fund management and operational activities. Matthew has completed a Graduate Diploma of Community Sector Management, Advanced Diploma of Management and Diploma of Business and is also a member of the Fundraising Institute of Australia. Matthew has a great passion for sport having played and been involved in a number of sports at various levels and he still plays and coaches cricket at a local club level. Matthew's interest in blind sports has grown over a number of years, particularly through his involvement as a state committee member with the Lord's Taverners Victoria almost 10 years, and he is looking forward stepping up his involvement from that of just a spectator and supporter.
Hui Cheng Wee Admin/Accounts Volunteer Expand A finance professional (CPA) with significant experience in both operations and corporate finance functions of listed multinational companies. Extensive experience has been gained across a wide variety of sectors including infrastructure, manufacturing in Australia and overseas. "I have more than 20 years of finance and customer service experience in both commercial and government sectors and during these time, have achieved the following: In 2011, I was awarded “Deliver The Promise” winner by Orica Pty Ltd, for my leadership and remediation activities during secondment, resolved a legal case charged by Taxation Office. In 1999, I was awarded “I Care” certificate by Woolworths Ltd, for excellent customer service. In 1993, I was awarded “Good Service Medal” by Singapore Armed Forces, for very good performance and good conduct. I am fluent in languages other than English including Chinese, Cantonese and Hokkien. Besides my formal qualifications, I have good planning and time management skills, a genuine passion and heart to care for others. I have a pleasant disposition, easy to get along with and able to interact with all people from different cultural backgrounds. I have been volunteering with Vision Australia since 2005, tasks taken including Chinese magazine audio recording; Christmas gift wrapping in Myer; Quality Living sessions assistant; AGM/Open Day & other day activities in Kooyong. My other involvement with community is as members of ANIKT Incorporate, a NFP group that promote moral and ethical principles based on Confucian teachings and social cohesion, through promotion of the core teachings of main religions. I am now volunteering with BSA in the role of Fin/Admin. It was so much appreciated to be able to join BSA as the management has give me the great opportunity not only to provide my service, but also learn and growth in the acquiring the knowledge in blind sporting area."
Felicity Wilkeson Marketing and Partnerships Manager Expand Blind Sports Australia is pleased to advise of the appointment of Felicity Wilkeson as our Marketing and Partnerships Manager. Felicity has fifteen years experience designing, leading and implementing campaigns for diverse organisations. She is skilled at managing stakeholder engagement and brand awareness, and has driven sponsorships and partnerships including fundraising initiatives. With the recent announcement of our 'Driving Inclusion Through Sport' initiative and the amazing work being undertaken by Blind Sports Australia member organisations across the country, we believe this is an ideal opportunity to drive further engagement with the broader Australian community, NSOs and potential supporters. We look forward to working closely with Felicity and utilising her skills in translating big picture items and concepts into creative strategies that engage our stakeholders.
Krista Woodroffe Driving Inclusion Project Coordinator Expand I am looking forward to utilising my experience and passion within the sport and leisure industry to assist Blind Sports Australia in providing ongoing opportunities for Vision Impaired people to engage in sport within their local communities. The Driving Inclusion Through Sports project will enable BSA to provide ongoing support to member organisations, in turn making sport and physical activity more accessible to participants, volunteers and coaches right across Australia. I am delighted to have been given this amazing opportunity and look forward to building on the work that has already been completed in this space.
Simon Talbot Board Member Expand Simon holds a Bachelor of Science, Earth/Agricultural Sciences (University of Tasmania), a Master of Business Administration/Technology Simon has also had board experience with the South Melbourne Market - Deputy Chair Advertising Standard Bureau, Director Sustainable Agriculture Initiative, Chairman Prime Ministers Manufacturing Taskforce, Technical Advisor Monash Food Innovation Centre – Advisory Board.