Board Members

Chairman

Melvyn Congerton  JP

Qualifications in Marketing, Exporting and Retail Management. Company Director and business proprietor in several private enterprises.

Sitting Local Government Councilor for the City of Swan, first elected in 1999, also serving as Deputy Mayor for 4 years.

Ministerial appointments: Chairman of the Local Government Advisory Board & Board member of the Midland Redevelopment Authority.

Community board appointments have included Malaga Businessman’s Association, Fauna Rehabilitation Association, Lakes Estate Ratepayers Association, Youth Venture Group Ballajura and Global Care Group

Secretary

Michael  Jefferson

Has been employed with TAFE WA over a period of 29 years, the last 16 within a range of managerial assignments. He has been involved n training, curriculum development, learning resources and project management (international division).  He holds a Diploma in Education and A B.Sc in Psychology and English.

Professional affiliations include:

• Australian College of Education
• Australia India Business Council
• Australia Sri Lanka Business Council
• Community Arts Network of WA
• Agriculture Technologist of Australia

Treasurer

Joe Marino

Raised and educated in Midland, Joe is a qualified accountant employed in the public sector,. He first joined City of Swan Council for two years in 1997 and then returned in 2001 representing the Midland Ward. Joe is a Board Member of the Morrison Lodge and the State Library of WA.

Howard Chamberlin

Former investment banker now retired. Spends time between Australia, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Maria Fifield

Bachelor of Law from UWA and a tertiary qualification in psychology, nursing and management.

Main areas of practice are in Wills and Estates which includes probate, administration and guardianship.

Member of the WA Law Society, Women Lawyers in WA and also sits on several not for profit Boards.

Don Newman

A Certified Practicing Planner and director of a community revitalisation consultancy has practiced as an architect and town planner extensively across Australia and the United Kingdom in the private sector. A 24-year career in the government planning department focussed on the areas of urban design, community planning, heritage, residential development and statutory planning.

Holds degrees in architecture, town planning and urban studies.

Professional affiliations include:

• Registered architect WA  1965-2006
• Registered builder WA, 1966-2006
• Fellow, Planning Institute of Australia
• Member, Australia ICOMOS since 1996
• Member, National Trust of Australia (WA) since 1983

A strong advocate of lifelong personal/professional development, training for all to enable and empower those who have not had prior opportunity and that a mix of business enterprise and culture creates/ensures a well rounded community.

Paul Willemse

In 1962, Paul was an early participant in the computerisation of Banks and the establishment and operation of a large number of Financial Data Processing Centres across the US.

Having moved to Singapore in the mid 70’s, Paul set up the computer system and related departments for the United Overseas Bank, the largest local bank in Singapore, a first for any Singaporean bank.

In the late 90’s Paul moved to Australia where he established Plexus International, a company to serve the Insurance Industry throughout Australia. This company went public in 2002.

Paul returned to Singapore in 2007 to re-establish his consulting group, PJW and Associates working alongside banks across South East Asia.

Paul is actively involved in a variety of volunteer groups including working with the Neighbourhood Council and the Singapore Grand Prix.

Emiliano Barzotto

Emiliano has had more than 30 years experience getting results from Government.

Mr Barzotto’s Government roles have included:

• Chief of Staff to WA Minister responsible for Police and Emergency Services, Local Government, Indigenous Affairs,    Housing and Works, Community Safety and Industrial Relations.
• Principal Private Secretary to the Premier of Western Australia
• Director of Economic Development at Western Australia House in London
• Manager of Organisational Development at the Health Department of Western Australia
• Principal Adviser at the Western Australian Municipal Association

His extensive experience has been enhanced by his overseas appointment to the Western Australian Government’s office in London, as a Councillor in the City of Canning for four years and as a member of the City of Canning Commissioner’s Advisory Panel.

During his career Mr Barzotto has been a member and office bearer of numerous professional organisations at both national and state level including President and Foundation Member of Australian Business in Europe (WA), Australian Institute of Management, British Institute of Management and the Australian Human Resources Institute.

Xian-Li Davies

Graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in 2007.

Currently practises in the areas of property law, business conveyancing, commercial leasing, business succession, trusts and companies, as well as wills and estate planning.

Has recently completed a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance and is an Associate Member of Chartered Secretaries Australia.