GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Each Governance level plays a vital role in allowing the organisation to function effectively and ensuring that we retain a focus not only on the details of day-to-day management but also on longer-term strategy and development of the organisation.  

To jump directly to the section on our Board of Governance or Senior Management Team, please simply click the relevant link.

BOARD OF GOVERNANCE  

Our board members come from a range of backgrounds including health and community-based organisations, small businesses, philanthropic organisations, and of course the Uniting Church. The Board also has participant members who ensure that the interests of those we work with are represented at the highest level within the organisation

Our current Board members are:

Michael Lanyon (Chair)
Michael is a founding partner at law firm Logie Smith Lanyon with over 30 years of experience practicing law. He leads the Property and Construction Department. Michael has extensive experience in supporting the not-for-profit sector as both a solicitor and as a participant. Michael currently acts as Chairman of the Glen Iris Uniting Church.

Horace Chai (Treasurer)
Horace has over 25 years of senior financial management experience. His skills cover auditing, project modelling, business analysis, and general & financial management. Horace holds a Business Degree, majoring in accounting and is a Fellow of CPA Australia. 

Charles Allen
Charles has 28 years experience as a police officer with the Victorian Police Force. He is currently the Police Service Area Manager for Greater Dandenong. Through this role he is engaged in many community problem-solving partnerships with a focus on emerging communities, youth, alcohol and drugs, community safety and social inclusion.

Return to top of page

Jon Hilton
Jon Hilton has spent the last 25 years working in the field of information technology. He brings to the board a strong understanding of project management and training, healthcare, government, telecommunications, banking, finance, and retail.

Dr Nancy Nicholas
Dr Nancy Nicholas is a member of the Uniting Church and a medical practitioner (GP) with a good understanding of the needs of people of all ages with physical, intellectual and mental disabilities, as well as age-related health issues.

Gregg Nicholls
Gregg Nicholls has been MonashLink Community Health Service's Chief Executive Officer for the last four years. He is also the chair of the Inner East Primary Care Partnership, chair of the Eastern Region Alcohol and Drug Strategy Group, and treasurer of QICSA.

Byron Groves
For more than 35 years, Byron has successfully managed small to medium sized organisations in both the public and private sectors. He notably recognised for maintaining a strong ‘people’ focus and is currently Chief Executive Officer at Christian Brethren Community Care.

Scott Sheppard
In addition to his role as Chief Executive at UnitingCare Community Options, Scott also has a full-time role on the Board of Governance.

Jill Wells
Jill has been a member of the UnitingCare Community Options Participant Committee for several years and more recently joined the Board of Governance as a Participant member. Jill is actively involved in the community, often advocating in support of her passion for improving the conditions of people living with disabilities. 

Return to top of page

SENIOR MANAGEMENT 

The UnitingCare Community Options Board is supported by an executive Leadership Team whose task is to ensure that the organisation’s strategic goals are translated into its every day activities.

The Leadership Team comprises:

Scott Sheppard
Chief Executive
 Scott joined UnitingCare Community Options as Chief Executive in December, 2009. Scott oversees the operations of the entire organisation as well as being involved in high level advocacy and service development.

Scott has extensive experience in the community sector having worked in the areas of respite, recreation, family support, education, supported accommodation and employment for over 15 years. Scott holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Disability Studies) from Deakin University a Diploma of Business (Community Services & Health Management) from Chisholm Institute of TAFE, and a Master of Applied Science (Organisation Dynamics) from RMIT University. Scott previously spent five years as the Chief Executive of Wallara Limited, a disability services organisation based in Dandenong.

Emmanuel Gauci
Group Manager – Organisation and Carer Support
Emmanuel Gauci is responsible for support and carer support services at UCCO. Emmanuel has Bachelor’s Degrees in Arts and Education, a Diploma of Education, Masters Degrees in Business and in Arts, and he is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Fonda Voukelatos
Group Manager – Innovation and Ageing Services
Fonda Voukelatos has been with UnitingCare Community Options for more than eight years and has held a variety of senior management roles, primarily in working with older people. He has considerable experience in clinical settings and in community care services; and has graduate qualifications in psychology, neuroscience, counselling and clinical research.

Andrew Johnston
Group Manager - Quality and Disability Services
As a senior business leader, Andrew has a history of success in complex operational, customer service, sales and stakeholder management roles within a range of industry sectors including transport, insurance, disability services and overseas aid & development.

Return to top of page