Our Board
Richard Young is a Director of Opteon (South East Regional NSW) Pty Ltd, which is a part of a National Property Consultancy group and is a Fellow of the Australian Property Institute. Richard advises Greenacres on all its property matters. Richard is also on various other Boards in the Illawarra region.
Richard joined the Greenacres Board in 1992 and was elected chairperson in 2008.
As a sole carer of daughter with a disability, Richard is a strong advocate for Disability Services, especially in the Illawarra.
Isla was a Registered Nurse and a Registered Psychologist for many years, and has extensive clinical and educational experience in the area of developmental disability. For over 20 years (until her retirement in 2008) Isla designed and taught both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in disability at the University of Wollongong. She currently has an Honorary Fellowship at the University and co-supervises a PhD psychology student researching in the area of developmental disability.
Isla has served on many Government committees and boards including the Guardianship Tribunal and has worked as a consultant for a number of organisations
Isla has served on the Board of Directors at Greenacres Disability Services since 1993.
Peter Beniuk is the honorary treasurer of Greenacres Disability Services and has been on the Greenacres Board for a total period of 21 years.
Peter is a qualified accountant and has many years experience in senior accounting and commercial management positions. Peter is also a life member of Greenacres Disability Services.
Trish Donaldson joined the Board of Directors in 2009. With tertiary qualifications in education and social policy, Trish began working in the Not-For-Profit sector in 1982. She has held senior management positions with The Housing Trust, the Disability Trust and Southern Youth and Family Services. In 1986 she established the Disability Accommodation Support Service providing group homes and independent living support in the Illawarra.
Following a successful amalgamation with the Disability Trust in 2002, Trish became responsible for management of the Trusts outreach and in-home support, day programs, recreation programs, information and advocacy services in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands.
Trish has also served on a number of management committees and as a Board Member of the Illawarra Disability Trust.
Sheila is a Registered Nurse with qualifications in Disability, Community Health and Business Management. She has also additional qualifications in Occupational Health and Safety, Workplace Training and Assessment and Workcover and has completed governance training.
A member of the Greenacres Board since 2000, Sheila contributes to the governance of the Organisation in her areas of expertise in health care and policy development. In her roles as a provider of disability services and a Greenacres Board Director, Sheila advocates for the rights of clients to be consulted about and be involved the delivery of quality services.
Janine joined the board of Greenacres in 2006. She is the owner of a communication consultancy, JC The Power of One. Janine has extensive experience in marketing, media and DVD production. She is a Councillor on the NSW Business Chamber. Her other board appointments include Illawarra Business Chamber and Illawarra Connections. She is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Stephen is a Solicitor/Attorney and Principal of Dawson Lawyers in Wollongong. He was appointed to Greenacres Board in 2008.
John was born in the United Kingdom in 1939. He is married to Margaret and has three children, Julie, Darren and Michael and has lived in the Illawarra region since arriving in Australia in 1955. He worked in the Steel Industries in various capacities until retirement in 1999. He was involved in consultancy work in third world Asian countries for the steel Industry.
John has been involved in voluntary disability advocacy for 35 years through direct advocacy and through representing various organisations in providing services to those with a disability. He has been on advisory committees in providing input and advice in setting policy for disability outcomes.
John is a life member of Greenacres Disability Services and a past Chairperson of Greenacres. He is a member of Rotary International providing assistance in the community locally, nationally and internationally.
James Chie is a retired Metallurgist and was the President of the Wollongong Branch of Aid to Retarded Persons, prior to its 1987 merger with Greenacres. James was formerly appointed to the Board of Greenacres in 1992.
James is a life member of Greenacres Disability Services.
