ACT Council of Social Service Inc.

Justice | Equity | Social Inclusion | Reconciliation

  1. Home
  2. About
  3. Board

Board

The ACTCOSS Board is our board of governance. It provides financial and legal oversight and the strategic direction for the organisation. Its directors are elected from ACTCOSS members for a 3 year term at the AGM in November each year.

2022-23 Board

Executive

Board Directors

See below for bios of current Board directors.

Contact the Board

You may like to contact board directors with your thoughts about ACTCOSS, its direction and performance.

Please contact us and we will put you in touch.

Becoming a Board Director

Each year a number of Board positions become available. The existing Board looks at the current skill sets and lived experience in our Board, and identifies where there may be gaps. ACTCOSS then calls for nominations from our membership, encouraging candidates with skill sets and experience which would help round out the Board.

To nominate for the ACTCOSS Board you must:

  • Be a member of ACTCOSS – either an Associate Member or an appointed Delegate of a Community Organisation Member (Affiliate Members are not eligible)
  • Have paid your membership fees
  • Complete and return your nomination form by the closing date.

If we receive more nominations than there are positions available, the members present at our AGM vote. The nominees with the most votes are elected to the Board for a 3 year term (or 1 year for casual vacancies that have arisen).

Keep an eye out for the call for nominations prior to the November AGM.

You can find out more about our Board responsibilities and the election rules in the ACTCOSS Constitution (see Governing Documents).

Board Director Bios

Jeremy Halcrow – Chair Jeremy Halcrow, ACTCOSS Chair

Anglicare NSW South, NSW West & ACT

Jeremy has over two decades of management experience in the not-for-profit sector. He has been CEO of Anglicare ACT/NSW South since 2013. He has a passion for advocacy and is a leader is the wider community sector, currently serving as Co-Chair of the Canberra Gambling Reform Alliance (CGRA) and Deputy Chair of Anglicare Australia. He was also a director of national sector peak body, the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) from 2013 to 2018, including terms as Treasurer and Deputy President.

Jeremy has significant governance experience and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In 2022 he is scheduled to complete an MBA specialising in Social Impact from the Australian Graduate School of Management, UNSW.

Jeremy’s research interests are diverse. He has authored essays, papers and research reports on a range of social justice issues. In an earlier career, he worked in the media sector and was managing editor of a newspaper.

Lisa Kelly – Vice Chair

Carers ACT

Lisa Kelly is CEO of Carers ACT. She has worked extensively in the community sector and holds Degrees in Psychology and Community Development.

Previously, Lisa has worked in the mental health and youth sectors for agencies such as Lifeline, Headspace, Richmond Fellowship and the Australian Childhood Foundation. She has spent a large part of her career implementing innovative and award winning services and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role on the Board of ACTCOSS.

Blessy Pascual – Treasurer

Woden Community Service

Blessy is the Chief Financial Officer of Woden Community Service. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Blessy has over 20 years in accounting, working across several for-profits and for-purpose organisations. Her experience ranges from business advisory and taxation, financial and management accounting, and financial planning and analysis in Australia and New Zealand. She has over six years of experience in the community service sector in Canberra. She is committed to the work of the community service sector and how services can remain sustainable and innovative.

Alicia Flack-Kone – Ordinary DirectorAlicia Flack-Kone

ACT Down Syndrome Association

Alicia is the mother of a 12-year-old son with Down syndrome. Alicia is a Committee Member of the ACT Down Syndrome Association and was a former member of the ACT Office of Disability Board. She is a member of the ACT Disability Education Reference Group, member of ACT Council of Social Service and Board member of Down Syndrome Australia (DSA). Alicia’s career has spanned across 25 years in education and training, and she has been an activist and advocate for social change during this time. Alicia is currently employed as a corporate trainer in mental health. When she can Alicia enjoys mountain bike riding.

Amanda Tobler – Ordinary Director

Community Services #1

Amanda is the Chief Executive Office at Community Services # 1. Her key strengths are in her diverse experience and high level understanding of the not-for-profit, Government and corporate sectors. She has high level strategic thinking capabilities and vast experience in advocacy and considerable commercial experience. Amanda has an exceptional ability to achieve results in demanding and challenging environments and an ability to build excellent relationships at all levels.

Amanda has strong academic qualifications including a Degree in Community Education, an Advanced Diploma of Management and a Diploma of Government.

Andrew Scotford – Ordinary Director

CIT Student Association

Andrew Scotford is the General Manager of the Canberra Institute of Technology Student Association Inc (CITSA). He is passionate about working in the ever-changing VET sector, improving student outcomes via student support and commercial services. Across his 13 years’ experience in sports management at all levels of Australian sport he has continued to develop a deep understanding of how good organisations or individuals become great. He thoroughly enjoys working in the not-for-profit sector to help get things done.

Cathi Moore – Ordinary Director Cathi Moore

Parentline ACT and Associate Member

Cathi currently works part time in mentoring and community consultation in the ACT and is a Company Director. Cathi has had extensive experience reviewing and writing policies and procedures in government and the non-government sector.

In 1975 she worked with the Australian Council of Social Service to establish National Shelter. In 1984 she was a member of the team at the Department of Social Security who established the first Supported Accommodation Assistance Program. From 1985 to 1987 she was responsible for the development of local government and community housing programs and management of crisis accommodation programs for the Department of Housing and Construction.

Cathi is currently a Director of Community Housing Canberra, President of Parentline ACT, Assistant Treasurer of the Marymead Auxiliary and a Life Member of the YWCA of Canberra and YWCA of Australia. Cathi has also been a member of ACTCOSS for many years and has, in the past served in governance roles for ACTCOSS.

Cathi was appointed ACT Senior Woman of the year in 2018 and AM in 2020.

Fiona Loaney – Ordinary Director

Relationships Australia Canberra & Region

Fiona Loaney is the Director, Governance of Relationships Australia Canberra & Region, with over 20 years of experience in contract, program, and relationship management in not-for-profit, government and private sector organisations. A highly motivated, strategic, and outcomes-focused person, Fiona heads up Relationships Australia’s contract management and research and evaluation teams. Fiona has Master of Business and Technology (UNSW) and a Bachelor of Business – Marketing (CSU).

Liam McNicholas – Ordinary Director Liam McNicholas

Northside Community Service 

Liam is an experienced early childhood teacher, writer and advocate. As well as taking on strategic leadership roles in not-for-profit early education organisations, Liam has advocated for children's human rights; the need for investment in early childhood education; and for professional recognition and wages for early childhood professionals.

Melissa Bell – Ordinary Director

Barnardos Australia   Melissa Bell

Melissa is a leader and a practitioner with a background in social policy, project management and strategy. As a qualified social worker, she brings more than 20 years experience in the child and family sector. Over the last decade, Melissa has led across various roles with Barnardos Australia, most recently since 2017 in the role of General Manager with ACT Together, the Barnardos led consortium responsible for out of home care service delivery in the ACT. Previously, she worked for 14 years within the

NSW government, in both direct and indirect service roles.

Melissa has a comprehensive understanding of child and family programs and the ACT social services sector. She has extensive experience working with partner agencies and across organisations to improve outcomes for children, young people and families.

Melissa is currently a participant in the inaugural ‘For Purpose Executive Leadership Program’ with the Melbourne Business School. She has diverse professional interests but has maintained at all times a strong commitment to achieving permanency and stability for vulnerable children involved with child protection systems.

Sue Webeck – Ordinary Director Liam McNicholas

Domestic Violence Crisis Service

Sue is a LGBTIQA+ community advocate as well as a passionate violence prevention and respectful relationships educator and advocate. She has been working in this space and aligned violence response and primary prevention spaces for almost 20 years. Sue is currently the CEO of the Domestic Violence Crisis Service having moved there in June 2021.

Sue is a deeply committed Canberran working and volunteering in a range of roles in the pursuit of making our community safer and more respectful for all. Sue is currently the Chair of the LGBTIQ+ Ministerial Advisory Council and a member of the ACT Council of Social Service’s Board. Sue is a proud Canberran, happily raising her 12 year old twins alongside her wife while learning to live respectfully and in the spirit of reconciliation on Ngunnawal Country.

Tracey Hall – Ordinary Director

Tracey is the Executive Manager, Children and Families at Anglicare NSW West, NSW South and ACT. Tracey joined the ACTCOSS board in late 2022 and brings over 20 years in executive roles in the community sector across multiple jurisdictions, providing services for vulnerable children, young people and families.

Tracey’s expertise spans a diverse range of community services and government reforms including disability, early intervention, mental health, family preservation and statutory services (OOHC). Tracey has held Interim CEO and Deputy CEO roles in the past and is known for her capability and pragmatic approach to governance, risk and compliance, navigation of reform, and  building strong, effective relationships with key stakeholders. Tracey is deeply committed to improving the lives of those less fortunate and developing the service sector to better meet the needs of the community.