Board & Management
BtG Board Members
EVAN PARKER
Chairman
Evan was elected to the position of Chairman at the 2012 Annual General Meeting on October 15th, having served as Vice Chair from October 2010-2011. He is an Accountant and consultant in Finance, Training and Employment to State and Local Government clients. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from UWA; is a Fellow of CPA Australia and an Associate of the Australian Institute of Management.
Evan spent a decade in the Banking Industry before joining TAFE to lecture in Accounting, Commercial Law and Management and then to become an Academic Administrator in a range of city and country colleges. Evan held a variety of Senior positions in TAFE including Navy Training Manager, Director of Business Development, Chief Financial Officer and Director of IT and Business.
DARREN MUNDAY
Vice Chair
Darren is currently the Manager for People & Operations at the Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS). His role focuses on strategy implementation with particular focus on improvements in performance development and risk management.
Previous to WACOSS Darren was the Director – Student Life and Learning at Murdoch University. His diverse portfolio included social inclusion, the management of credit bearing units, enabling programs, student transition and retention, health & counselling, sports & recreation, student management systems, and transactional student administration.
Darren is on the board of the sustainable education organisation Be Living Smart and is a former Murdoch University Senate member. Darren holds a Bachelor of Business, major in accounting and is currently for a Masters of Business Administration. Darren is also a Fellow of Leadership WA and has completed the AICD Company Directors Course.
COLIN KERR
Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Board of Directors
Colin serves as both the Secretary to the Board of Directors and the CEO of Bridging the Gap.
Having worked in the community and employment sectors for many years, Colin has partnered with a number of community organisations and his passion to support young people is evidenced by the variety of initiatives he has implemented.
BRAD DEAN
Treasurer
Brad joined the board of Bridging the Gap in 2011 and is the current Treasurer and a member of the Audit & Risk committee.
Living in the region for 19 years, Brad has been an active member of the community holding executive positions on The South Coast Regional Chambers of Commerce, The Rockingham Community Bank, and numerous smaller local organisations.
Brad is a director of local accounting firm, BDR Business Accountants and is a current member of the CPA Australia’s –WA Public Practice Committee.
Outside of work Brad is heavily involved with the Variety Bash – an annual event run by the Variety Club of WA to raise and distribute much needed funds for disadvantaged children.
BRUCE CAIRNS
Director
An owner/operator with 35+ years experience in electrical contracting, Bruce also has a long history of community service, having been involved with Rotary for over 30 years. Bruce is a former President of the Roleystone Country Club and Roleystone Football Club where he lived before relocating to Rockingham with his wife Judith.
Bruce previously served as Chairman for the Board from October 2010 to October 2011.
LORRAINE DUNKLING
Director
A Rockingham City Councillor, Lorraine has an interest in community issues and service to the community. She has been active in the Lions Club as well as previously serving on Bridging the Gap’s Board. She bring a broad knowledge of the community to her role as a Board member.
BARRY SAMMELS
Director
Barry is passionate about developing the local community and his mission is to work in partnership with the people of Rockingham to create an inclusive community in a leading City with a relaxed coastal lifestyle.
Barry has a good understanding of the needs of the local community and he has been a local business owner and resident of the Rockingham area for more than 25 years, Mayor of the City for 9 years and a Councillor for 15 years.
He Chairs of a number of committees which focus on climate change, community safety and major projects in the area. He is committed to building stronger partnerships with state and federal government.
WAYNE MILNES
Director
Wayne has a wealth o f experience in the finance and commercial sectors, having spent 30 plus years with National Australia Bank, 15 of those in the position of Commercial Business Manager.
Wayne retired from the banking industry in 2009 to spend time with his lovely wife Suzanne, enjoying golf and basketball – a sport he has been dedicated to for 36 years.
In 2012, Wayne re-joined the workforce on a part-time basis as a Business Agent for Harcourt Real Estate in Kwinana and is also a West Australian Consultant for Melbourne Company Mortgagee Services.
MICHAEL MCCAFFERTY
Director
Michael has over 25 years experience in the hospitality industry, with experience in small business and the corporate environment.  For the past 10 years Michael has built and managed Prestige Catering and Event Hire.
A Rockingham resident for the last 20 years, Michael is active in the local community and is a board member of the Rotary Club of Palm Beach as well as former Vice President of the South Coast Regional Chamber of Commerce, prior to which he was a director of the Australian Culinary Federation.
With a background in training and development, he has taken a keen interest in the career development of youth and joined Bridging the Gap’s Board of Directors in May, 2012.
ALLAN MENEY
Director
Allan Meney is an experienced Education and Curriculum Consultant and Primary and Secondary School Principal.  His focus is upon the promotion of student Career Development, Personal Development, Financial Literacy and Life-long Learning Skills. This includes extensive partnerships with fellow experienced Business/Industry Leaders providing valuable learning and work experience for students.
Allan was foundation Principal of Murdoch College, a private secondary school located on the Murdoch University Campus in Perth, Australia. He is a former Senior Program Officer in Career Development with the Department of Education, Western Australia, former Director of Swanleigh Residential College, Perth and was also the foundation Principal of six distinct secondary schools in British Columbia, Canada focused upon each student’s total personal development and career development skills. Allan also served as a full-time Curriculum Consultant with the British Columbia Ministry of Education.
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BtG Management Team
COLIN KERR
Chief Executive Officer
With over 36 years in the Employment Services Industry in both Federal Government and community based organisations, Colin has a strong commitment to people and is committed to delivering services to the community, particularly for youth who he sees as our future.
Colin joined Bridging the Gap in 1997 when there were just three staff and has successfully guided the organisation’s growth to over 65 staff, delivering a diverse range of programs and services.
Presently he is a Board Director of South West Corridor Employment Development Foundation, Â Koorliny Arts Centre and Outdoors WA.
Email: colin.kerr@bridgingthegap.org.au
LINDA COLLEY
Manager, Youth & Community
Emigrating from Zimbabwe in 1998 with her family, Linda joined Bridging the Gap in 2000 after undertaking a work experience opportunity. Linda’s prior experience in Africa with companies such as Barclays Bank International, Sun International and Leather Ware House have equipped her with a unique insight into different cultures – a major plus for an organisation with such a diverse clientele.
During her 11 years with BTG, Linda has attained her Diploma in Employment Services as well as a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and Career Development. Â Further to this, she has obtained qualifications in Counselling, and Management techniques.
Linda’s current role as Manager of Youth and Community has further developed her multi-task skill set, most notably in the area of planning and delivery of programs where she possesses the drive and initiative to get programs and ideas off the ground.
Email: linda.colley@bridgingthegap.org.au
ANDY WAHID
Business Development Manager
Program Manager, Crossing Point Leader’s Academy
Andy is Bridging the Gap’s Head of Youth Development and manages the Crossing Point Leaders Academy (CPLA) program. Andy has extensive experience in youth development and corporate learning and development.
Prior to joining Bridging the Gap, Andy led 10-week youth leadership expeditions across the globe for UK based organisation, Raleigh International and was responsible for developing partnerships across sectors as Head of Business Development.
Presently, Andy is developing CPLA to deliver high impact skills and aspirational development to young participants, with valuable learning and development opportunities to  employees in a unique multi-faceted package.
JANE MCWHIRTER
Manager, Employment Services
Regional Manager – Job Services Australia (JSA) and Disability Employment Services (DES)
Moving to Australia over thirty years ago with her family, Jane brought with her thirteen years experience as a qualified nurse, resulting in several job offers in Australia. Jane’s additionally qualifications include a Diploma in Business Management, a Diploma in Employment Services and registration as a qualified Workplace Trainer & Assessor.
“Spending five years working in the Northern Territory was the best experience of my life”, says Jane. “Learning
to adapt to the vast cultural changes, not to mention the picturesque geographic scenes, was just amazing.”
Over 15 years working with Bridging The Gap JobFutures, Jane has seen many changes particularly in the growth of the organisation. Having over 20 years experience working with the not-for-profit sector assisting both employers and unemployed people meet their recruitment needs has been a great challenge with many heartfelt “good news” stories to tell.  Managing four offices from Perth to Rockingham and with over 26 staff, Jane is constantly on the road.  “Maintaining a Leading JSA service for many years within the Community has seen many challenges, but the success stories is worth it all” says Jane.
Email: jane.mcwhirter@bridgingthegap.org.au
VICKI ABEL
Manager, Corporate Services
Vicki joined BTG in 2003 when the organisation had just 18 employees and has been delighted to be part of the growth of an outstanding, community based organisation. Attaining her Diploma in Human Resources Management in 2009 has enabled her to further support the team in this growth.
Vicki brings extensive experience in finance for the not-for-profit sector, including five years as a bookkeeper reporting to Government agencies in the health industry, during which time she achieved her Advanced Diploma of Accounting.
Vicki is passionate about the community and people and positioning Bridging the Gap as an employer of choice in the South West Corridor of Perth. At present, Vicki’s portfolio includes Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology and Operations.
Email: vicki.abel@bridgingthegap.org.au
RYAN KIM
Accountant
Migrating from South Korea in 2006, Ryan volunteered for a charity card shop in Adelaide before working as an accountant for several not-for-profit organisations including a health charity, government agency and community employment service, before joining BTG in 2012.
Ryan has a Master’s degree in accounting and is a member of CPA Australia.  Having worked for commercial
companies such as Samsung and FedEx, Ryan has over 10 years solid administration experiences from human resources management to finance.
Ryan is a proud father of two children, a member of the Korean Community Church and has a strong interest in the settlement of CALD immigrants, particularly youth.
Email: ryan.kim@bridgingthegap.org.au
PETER BIRD
Manager, Ngulla Community Nursery
Qualified with a Diploma in Horticulture, Certificate 3 in Conservation and Land Management and Certificate 4 in Landscape Design, Peter Bird has been project managing Ngulla Community Nursery and providing Certificate 4 level training and assessment for BTG clients for the past seven years.
Peter’s resume includes eight years of service as a Senior Government Officer in Disability Services employment, with a further 24 years as an Owner/Operator of a commercial tree farm and producer of cut flowers and
wildflowers for the trade.
Additionally, Peter owned and operated a commercial and home landscape design and implementation service based in the south west of Western Australia, and served as a Foundation Member of both the Small Tree Growers Association and Manjimup Land Care District Council.
Email: Â peter.bird@ngullacommunitynursery.org.au
