BOARD MEMBERS OF THE ACF
The ACF is a non-for-profit organisation, and all of our Board Members are volunteers. They are well respected professionals within our local community, and generously offer their time and services to benefit the community.
Tae Wood and Jeremy Stewart founded the organisation in 2014 and have given an immense amount of time into making the ACF the success that it is today. All Board members volunteer their time and expertise to the foundation, with backgrounds in finance, real estate, community support, the building industry and private enterprise.
All our board members make an annual financial contribution. These funds are quarantined and used to cover incidental and overhead costs of the foundation. This is how we maintain our pledge to donors that 100% of their contributions are used for charitable purposes.
TAE WOOD
Chairman and Head of Finance
OWNER AND ACCOUNTANT AT GM TAXATION
I was born and grew up in Albany and love the lifestyle Albany brings. The success of my accounting practice has come from the support of the Albany Community and I feel it is time to give something back. Albany Community Foundation is a great vehicle for me to do that. I am at a stage where I feel pretty comfortable in life and wanted to start to build a legacy, outside of my professional career.
JEREMY STEWART
Vice Chairman and Head of Marketing
DIRECTOR AT MERRIFIELD REAL ESTATE
I’ve been the owner and director of Merrifield Real Estate for over 15 years, employing 22 staff in Albany. I currently fulfil roles in the local community being a board member at Business Great Southern since 2011, President of Manypeaks Cricket Club, Director of Albany Finance, mentored students at St Joseph’s college from 2008 - 2018, oversee a networking group of local business people plus also commit to variety of MC and speaker roles for non for profit functions in Albany community. I am extremely proud to be involved with a board that is made up of kind & giving people who are committed to looking after people that have fallen on hard times in their own community. As a leader in the community I feel privileged to be able to give back to my community that has been very kind to me, my family and friends.
JULIE DE JONG + SARAH MOIR
CHAIRPERSON OF THE GRANT Funding Sub-committee
MARKETING AND WEBSITE MANAGEMENT
DIRECTOR / ASSOCIATE + ARCHITECTS AT H+H ARCHITECTS
Having each made the sea change to Albany, Julie and Sarah are focused on making a positive contribution to the local community in both their professional industry and as individuals. H+H Architects offer a diverse range of skills and expertise and promote sustainability in an architectural, environmental and social capacity, and have a passionate interest in growing and enhancing regional communities through the built environment. We are involved in numerous local community groups, boards, volunteer groups and sporting groups, and enjoy working together with like-minded professionals and individuals in the Albany region. We enjoy organising fundraiser events for the ACF, and the great feeling of directly helping people from managing the Grants Committee.
STACEY MURNANE
MEDIA, COMMUNICATIONS & EVENTS
ADMINISTRATOR AT KALGAN PLUMBING & PROPERTY SERVICES
Having grown up in Albany and with family still living here, once our own family was complete it seemed logical to leave Perth and return to roots as such to raise our two daughters. So after 20 years away I find myself back in a close knit community where there is so much opportunity to give. Having been involved heavily in the not for profit sector in Perth, donating time and services to causes such as the Shenton Park Dog’s Refuge, Rotary North Perth and the Hyde Park Community Fair and several other community organisations it was my first task once settled to find out how and were I could give back to the town that raised me. ACF is a great fit, 100% locally run and benefiting those in need right here in our own community. I look forward to working with the board and members helping to improve the lives of those less fortunate.
ASHLEY ISMAIL
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND GRANTS SUB-COMMITTEE
PSYCHOLOGIST
I moved to Albany from Fremantle after graduating from uni to finally fulfill my dream of living in the country and experiencing a more personal community vibe. The ACF seems to tie together such a wide range of backgrounds within and around Albany, and I’ve had the privilege to see it first hand while working with at-risk youth and their families. There is so much struggle that happens behind closed doors and truly anyone’s situation can change with a drop of a hat, and often people in crisis fall through the gaps. I have been blown away with how the ACF efficiently and effectively supports these individuals and families experiencing long-term and/or short term hardship. I am touched by all the success stories and want to do my part to help out. I love to bump into people I have met along the way since living in the big 6330, and I bet rarely shy away from a conversation, so come say “hello”!
LIBBY CORSON
grants committee and SPECIAL PROJECTS
RETIRED TEACHER
I am a retired secondary English teacher and enjoy being immersed within the Albany and Denmark communities as a volunteer with a number of local organisations. I have been involved in supporting people in the third world and instigated the Denmark Fuiloro East Timor Association which began as a link between Denmark Agricultural School and an agricultural school and became a significant donor organisation for that school and its students for twelve years. Then it became time to focus on supporting organisations at home. I have served on the board of the Albany Community Legal Centre and on the board of the Parklands Primary School. Subsequently I wanted a more hands on volunteer role. I have become more aware of disadvantage in the Albany Community since becoming a volunteer for Breakfast in the Park. I am most interested in raising awareness of homelessness and working both to shift local attitudes and perceptions and to help understand and coordinate local efforts to make change.
BIANCA BLAKE
BOARD MEMBER + SOCIAL MEDIA
SUPPORT WORKER AT PIVOT SUPPORT SERVICES
I am an assertive fire sign, who often challenges the status quo, is passionate about facilitating change, and advocating for empowerment. I recently relocated back to the Great Southern to raise a family after 13 years away. We were searching for a community to be a part of and moving back to the country felt like the best way to achieve this. I’ve always been passionate about community and support, because I know on a personal level just how much of a difference this can make to someone’s life. As a Bachelor of Social Work student currently working in the human services sector, social justice is a strong passion of mine. I see first-hand the disadvantage within our community and the gaps in support available. I felt being able to contribute to ACF was a great opportunity for me to give back and make a difference in a way that feels very much aligned to my personal values.
JAMES LEIPER
BOARD MEMBER + SPECIAL PROJECTS
REGIONAL DIRECTOR + ENGINEER WITH PRITCHARD FRANCIS + OWNER OF BODYCARE PHYSIOTHERAPY
I grew up on a farm in Esperance and after attending university and working for Pritchard Francis in the Perth office for over 10 years, my young family and I decided to re-locate back here to Albany, where my wife grew up. I opened the Great Southern office for Pritchard Francis last year offering civil and structural engineering services, and my wife and I own and operate Bodycare Physiotherapy. We are both passionate about being involved in the local community and I’m really keen to make a difference and help combat the issues facing our beautiful region. I’m also a very keen advocate in sustainability and renewables and their role in fighting climate change, and bring this to the fore wherever I can.
SHANTELL ANDERTON
BOARD MEMBER
I grew up on a small farm in Ravensthorpe, and moved to Albany to complete my secondary schooling. In addition to being a single mum of my two daughters, I have a strong background in administration, having worked in a local medical centre in a senior role for 12 years. In 2020, it was time for a change, and I joined the team at Merrifield Real Estate as a sales administrator. I am involved in coaching and umpiring in the local basketball association, as well as a player. I am also the Chair of the Flinders Park Primary School board, which has been a real learning experience for me. I first learnt about the ACF when I started my employment with Merrifield. Over the last 2.5 years, I have been involved with organising and attending events and fundraising through Merrifield on behalf of the ACF, and when Jeremy mentioned the opportunity to join the board and become involved further, I jumped at the chance. As a single mum, through my involvement with the school board, and working in real estate, I have seen first hand the struggles that many of our community members face, and I am looking forward to working with the ACF to help as many people as possible.
HEATHER NICHOLS
BOARD MEMBER + BOARD SECRETARY
I was born in Tasmania and attended the Friends School and University of Tasmania. I moved to Western Australia about 35 years ago, then saw the light and moved to Albany about 15 years ago. I am a lawyer and worked in private practice for many years until I joined Albany Community Legal Centre where I have worked (part time) for the past 3 years. I really enjoy working in the community legal sector as I feel I am able to make a difference in the lives of many people who would not be able to afford a private lawyer. I practice mainly in the area of family law but during my career I have had experience in many different areas of law. Over the years I have been a member of a number of different boards including the Worklink board in Albany. Before moving to Albany I was a member of Rotary. The last four – five years I have been on the committees for Albany Choral Society and Albany Eisteddfod. My main interests are music especially singing and playing the ukulele, bushwalking and kayaking. I try “to walk cheerfully over the world“ and make a difference by giving back to my community.
ZAC MATTHEWS
BOARD MEMBER
Originally from North-West Tasmania, I moved to Perth for my studies and have since lived in various regional communities in Western Australia, from Kununurra to Albany. After spending time in Karratha, my wife Candice and I chose Albany as our home. We are both educators who have a strong interest in providing quality education in rural areas. I currently lead the Gifted and Talented program at Albany Senior High School, which I find highly rewarding and engaging. My involvement with the ACF began through my work at ASHS where I have seen the benefits to the community first-hand. I am proud to contribute to the valuable work the foundation is doing in our community.
JADE ASCOTT-CUNNINGHAM
YOUTH BOARD MEMBER
After studying community services at South Regional TAFE, working as a disability support worker for 3 years, and after my own personal experiences, I’ve seen the clear need for more support services and opportunities in Albany and the Great Southern region. I was previously a member of Albany’s Youth Advisory Council and was overjoyed seeing the changes we were able to make for people in our local community. ACF seemed like the perfect next step to gain more experience and positively impact those in need. I hope to continue working in the community services industry and eventually graduate university with a Bachelors in Social Work. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, live music, art and gardening.
OTHER KEY MEMBERS
CHRISTINE GROGAN - CAPACITY BUILDING ADVISER + SPECIAL PROJECTS OFFICER
Christine Grogan has lived in Albany since 1994 and has worked as an independent consultant in the Great Southern region of WA since July 2017, after a 30-year career in Local and State Government. With tertiary and postgraduate qualifications in Social Policy and Business Administration as well as professional expertise in organisational management, strategic planning, board governance, team building, and project management Christine provides valuable insights and guidance for her clients who are largely from the not-for-profit and small business sectors. Christine has a long history of sitting on not-for-profit boards and is currently a member of the Albany Enterprise Group which oversees the Albany Business Centre. Christine first provided pro-bono board governance and strategic planning support for ACF in 2018/19 and has held a more formal advisory, non-voting role since September 2021. https://www.christinegroganpmservices.com
STUART ROBERTS - ACF INDiGENOUS ADVISOR AND FORMER BOARD MEMBER
The ACF are fortunate to have the expertise of Stuart Roberts as our Indigenous Advisor. He has been involved with the ACF for a number of years, and we greatly appreciate his input.
PAST MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE ACF
We have also had various other board members in the past that have volunteered their time and services to the ACF with the shared goal of helping our community. Thankyou for your time and dedication.
GRANTS SUB-COMMITTEE
Volunteers WHO assist with assessing grant applications (NON BOARD MEMBERS)
The ACF is fortunate enough to have a number of volunteers that assist in a variety of roles. From members on the Grants sub-committee, to volunteers at our fundraising events.