Board of Governance

We regularly review the role of the Board for the purpose of ensuring a more strategic orientation, achievement of our vision and strategic leadership as well as attention to our compliance regulations. We ensure a robust interface between governance and operational management, paying particular attention to delegations, reporting and performance management. We critically asses our Board's composition and combined skill set and act on our findings in light of the organisation's needs.

Board of Governance Membership

Chairperson: Robert Renton

Robert joined UnitingCare Werribee Support and Housing in February 2007. He's been a member of Crossroads congregation for the past 19 years, and he had a long association with homeless people's services. He was a member of Malvern and Caulfield Youth Accommodation Service Board of Management for several years, and he has been Chairperson of the Board of Directors of MetroWest Housing Service since its establishment ten years ago. Robert is a minister in the Uniting Church.

Treasurer: Kim Deneys

Kim joined the Board through the year and his financial expertise has been welcomed. Kim is an accountant and has been practicing in Wyndham since 1978. He has been active in the local community and participated in Rotary, the Galvin Park Secondary School Committee, Wyndham Community Foundation, and has been the President of the local Chamber of Commerce. Kim is also a member of the Crossroads congregation.

Secretary: John Frame

John has served on the Board for 5 years. He is a member of Crossroads Church Council and committed to Social Justice principles. John is an engineer and has worked with the EPA for a number of years.

Community Rep: Leigh Barrett

Leigh joined the Board during 2005-2006 and he is the Wyndham Council representative. Leigh was elected Councillor for the Truganina Ward in November 2005. In addition to his work as a Wyndham Councillor and a UnitingCare Werribee Support and Housing Board member, Leigh is involved with a range of community and local government organisations.

Centrelink Rep: Michelle Penny

Michelle joined the Board this year (2010). Michelle is a Senior Social Worker at Werribee Centrelink and replaces Bob Zanker who has now retired from Centrelink. Michelles participation on our Board further strengthens the partnership our Agency has maintained with Centrelink for many years.

Minister of the Word: David Withers

David joined the Board in April 2006. He has been the Minister of the Word of Crossroads Uniting Church since January 2006. David describes himself as a person who is committed to building communities. He wishes to strengthen ties between the Crossroads congregation and the work of UnitingCare Werribee Support and Housing.

Crossroads Church Rep: Mary Dixon

Mary has been a Crossroads congregation member for over 50 years, on Church Council for over 25 years and a Board member for the last 5 years. Mary is committed to the principles of social justice and reconciliation and believes the work of UnitingCare is central to the ethos of the Uniting Church.

Wyndham Council Rep: Cynthia Manson

Cynthia joined our Board this year (2010). Cynthia was re-elected as a Councilor at Wyndham Council in December 2008. Cynthia has been involved with a number of committees including: Art in Public Buildings and Places Advisory Group, Metropolitan Waste Management Group - Metropolitan Local Government Waste Forum , Municipal Association of Victoria, Municipal Strategic Statement Review Steering Committee, Reserve Advisory Committees, RDF Advisory Committee, Werribee Transit City Management and Wyndham Sports Centre Ltd

Henry Barlow

Henry has a long history of being involved with a variety of community and sporting groups, either on committees or playing sport. Henry was a Wyndham City Councillor for 12 years, 2 years as the Mayor and 1 year as the Deputy Mayor. Henry was directly involved on the construction of the athletics/soccer facility and the building of the new Grange Community Centre. Over a seven year period, Henry was Treasurer and Vice-President of the Victorian Local Governance Association and he is currently on the Committee of Management of the Grange Community Centre at Hoppers Crossing.

Uniting Church  Hoppers Crossing Rep.  Patricia Cox

Patricia joined our Board this year (2010) and is a congregation member of the Uniting Church Hoppers Crossing.