Bruce Stevenson

While I have been involved with multiple community groups over the years, I feel that the primary goals of the ABC Friends reflect a meta-issue across the many other deserving areas that could attract one’s attention (e.g., environment, civil rights, refugees). Namely, the importance of independent, quality public broadcasting. I was president of the Northern Tablelands branch for 7 years and have now been a state ABCF committee member over the past year.  I have been active in my time on the committee, largely with contributing to support for branches.  I would now like to renominate.

Cassandra Parkinson + nominated for Vice-President

Cassandra has been an active member of ABC Friends since joining the NSW committee in 2018. She was President of NSW and ACT Friends from October 2020 to November 2022 and has been national President since July 2022. Cassandra began her career as a teacher of adult basic education in TAFE. She was the National Secretary of the TAFE Teachers union and she was also the CEO of several national not-for-profit organisations in the education, arts, community services and manufacturing sectors.

As a member of several government boards and enquiries, Cassandra contributed to the development of public policy, primarily in vocational education and training. She chaired the first National Plan of Action for Women and TAFE, which reported to all federal and state ministers for education and was Deputy Chair of the federal government's advisory body on vocational education and training. Cassandra has also served on several non-government boards including the Board of Trustees of the ACTU-Lend Lease Foundation and the National Centre for Research in Vocational Education at the University of Technology in Sydney, of which she was the inaugural chair.

Gia Metherell

Most of my working life was as a print journalist.  In 2012-14 I was press secretary to two Labor federal ministers, before working in communications for the peak science and technology body. I retired in 2016. I’ve been a member of ABCF since 2017 and am active in the ACT branch as well as being a member of the ACT & NSW committee since 2019. I served on the digital strategy working group, contributed to the post-implementation review of NationBuilder, and am the convenor of the merchandise working group.

Jan Febey + nominated for Secretary

I wish to express my interest in nominating for a committee member position with ABC Friends NSW & ACT, for 2024. I also express interest in taking on the role of secretary. Please find below my nomination form. I consider the ABC Friends organisation to have an important role to play in supporting public media in Australia. I have been a member of the NSW &  ACT Committee during 2023 and learnt a great deal about the operations and work of the organisation. Apart from being a life long user of the services of the ABC, my time working in the Australian Volunteer Program in South Asia and the Pacific led me to understand how vital respected and independent public broadcasting is to democracy. I am keen to provide further support to the Friends organisation as I see its importance increasing over time.

Jim Harding + nominated for Branches Coordinator

I am a 61-year-old retiree living in Sutherland. Most of my working life was spent at Qantas across several differing roles. This included workshop planning and co-ordination where I responsible for ensuring the timely repair of aircraft components. I was also responsible ensuring our customers were kept up to date with the progress of the component repairs. I am a member of Cronulla Rugby League Referees Association and was responsible for the appointment of some 120 referees of differing ages and ability to approximately 200 games across the weekend. This demanding role required strong co-ordination and communication skills to ensure all games were covered in the district.

In addition to my relevant experience, I hold the following qualifications.

• Diploma of Business Management
• Advanced Diploma of Business Management
• Graduate Certificate in Management Communication
• I am competent in the use of Microsoft 365.

Paul Reid

As a previous Committee Member of ABC Friends (NSW/ACT Branch) Board I am seeking re-election to assist Board in its important work, and work cooperatively to achieve our aims and objectives.

Employment History

During my 20 years with the United Services Union (USU) NSW I held the a number of positions, including Union Organiser, Industrial Relations Officer, Workplace Trainer & Assessor, Campaign Coordinator. As a Life Member of both the USU and Australian Services Union (National) I continue to serve the Union in the honorary capacity as Political Affiliations Coordinator.

Current roles

• 2011 – 2023 Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts – Current Treasurer, and Chair of Finance Committee (also former President 4 year term)
• 2018 -2023 Lakemba Bowling Club Benevolent Fund – Secretary
• 2016 – 2023 Unions NSW – Trustee and Finance & Governance Committee Member

One of my proudest achievements aside to being the father of 3 children, and 4 grandchildren, was during my term as President of the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, I was to negotiate with the Lowy Foundation in 2015, a significant subsidy to utilize a sizeable space of the third floor of the School to become the Thomas Keneally Centre.

Expertise

• Demonstrated experience in building strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Project delivery effectiveness with ability to meet deadlines.
• An ability to provide innovative solutions.
• Effective communication, which is open and honest

Robert Gubbins

I am a great believer in the importance of public broadcasting and the role that the ABC plays in the lives of Australians.  I take an active interest in current affairs through watching and listening to the ABC, reading the Schwartz media publications, the Guardian and the SMH. I have worked in the IT industry all my life.  As an IT Manager my role involved writing reports and business documents and handling email correspondence in a range of situations. I am actively involved in 3 Toastmasters clubs and on the committees of two of them. 

Ross McGowan

I would like to renominate for the committee of ABC Friends NSW and ACT. I have been a general committee member for ABCF NSW & ACT throughout 2023. In that role I was tasked with developing the strategic plan for increasing membership and diversity within our organisation. I hope to continue next year as a project leader to try to implement that strategy so that we can move towards becoming a more diverse, multi-generational and hence, a more robust and effective organisation. I am a teacher, retired from a permanent position with the Department of Education though still engaged in some casual work. I am currently the Convenor of the Central Coast branch of ABC Friends and have held this position since 2017. During this period, I have led the committee of ABC Friends, Central Coast in organising two Federal election campaigns, in 2019 and again in 2022. This has entailed organising campaign rallies, featuring the current Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland in 2018 and a number of functions on behalf of the ABC. Our guest speakers at these events have included, Dr Fiona Martin, from UTS, John Cleary, Sharon Carelton and in April 2022, Jonathan Holmes. This year I have led the branch in a number of activities to connect with other like-minded, local community organisations and continue to ensure that ABCF retains a presence on the Central Coast.  Within our community this year, we have conducted an information session on this year's referendum featuring a State Minister, visited another community organisation and exchanged ideas, discussing our respective roles and run a successful event featuring former ABC journalist, producer and Alumni Deputy Chair, Helen Grasswill. We hope to implement an event in 2024 featuring a community choir and if possible, a presenter or staff member from Classic FM involved in the Classic Choir initiative.

In last year's application I mentioned that I am particularly interested in examining ways in which ABC Friends might seek to promote the magnificent work undertaken by Classic FM in entertaining and enlightening the community about classical music. This is a vital role, performed by wonderful broadcasters with great expertise, on a very small budget. At our October meeting this year the ABCF NSW/ACT committee supported a motion to investigate how we can support the ABC's Arts initiatives, such as the Commissioning Fund for emerging composers and musicians. Due to my continued role as a branch Convenor, I am not considering applying for an executive position on the committee.

Sharon Ooi + nominated for Treasurer

I have been a Chartered Accountant for over 17 years and have worked in various Chartered Firms. I was Chief Financial Officer for UNions NSW for over 4 years in which my experience and knowledge will be an asset to ACF Friends of NSW & ACT, especially in the role of Treasurer. Enthusiastic about community and communications, volunteering for ABC Friends and promoting the vital role of Australia's independent national public broadcaster is a cause that is close to my heart. Being part of an organisation that advocates keeping an independent place to hear the news with no bias and provides people with the opportunity to understand news and information from all different aspects and beliefs is such a great opportunity for our nation.

Susan Tregeagle

I would like to nominate for the committee to assist in the protection of public broadcasting, to address public confidence in the ABC, and, to encourage trust in journalism. The challenges of the moment relate to the political polarisation of attitudes to the ABC, the difficulties of countering misinformation, and, trolling of ABC staff. I have been a member of the ACT & South East NSW committee since 2019 and, following the Covid lockdowns and on behalf of the group, developed a webinar on Health and the Media with community based health advocacy groups. I have a background in child welfare policy and non-Government organisations, I hold a PhD and have published journal articles, books and book chapters.

Tess Howes + nominated for President

I was appointed President of ABC Friends NSW & ACT Committee in November 2022. In January 2023 I commenced development of the NSW & ACT Strategic Plan from survey data collected in December 2022 that was further developed at the NSW & ACT Planning Day in February 2023. The draft Strategic Plan will be available at the end of 2023 for member consultation prior to finalising in March 2024 (TBC). This work is ongoing – I seek another term to bring the Strategic Plan together to guide our collective activism in 2024 and beyond.

I am an academic teaching in the MBA, Global MBA and MMGT programs at Macquarie Business School with teaching and research areas of disciplinary expertise include strategic management, leadership, communication, and leading change and am always willing to share insights as required.

Tim Mulroy

If elected to a position on the NSW & ACT Committee I would bring the perspective and enthusiasm of a person who has spent all my adult life in rural and remote locations supporting the ABC as our national public broadcaster.

Positions Held:

• Friends of the ABC – Northern Rivers Branch President
• Non-Executive Director of Teachers and Nurses & Midwives Health Ltd
• Voting member of Choice magazine (ACA)
• Yes 23 campaign lead for Brunswick Heads
• Former President of NSW Teachers Federation
• Former Head Teacher Special Education – Murwillumbah High School
• Former Teacher at Wilcannia, Toormina and Murwillumbah

Qualifications: BA, Dip.Ed., MAICD

William Howes

I am an experienced solicitor of 42 years both in private practice (20 years), Corporate Affairs Commission (1 year) and Corporate Legal Counsel (CLC) for the Video Ezy Group of companies (the Group) (21 years) from 1976 to 2018.

After retiring in 2018 I completed the AICD Company Directors Course in 2019 and hold a current Australian Practising Certificate from the Law Society of NSW although I have not been in active practice since my retirement