Front Row (L-R): Dominique Hansen, Sandra Prosser, Tina Williams, Hon Don Punch, Tina MacDonald, Elizabeth Acason, Michelle Duke
Second Row (L-R): Esther Bliss, Tina Firth, Craig Spencer (Chair), Vicki Pollard, Michael Wainwright, Rahul Seth, Hannah Godsave

Volunteering Community Reference Group

The Volunteering Community Reference Group is established under the direction of the Minister for Volunteering. The purpose of the Volunteering Community Reference Group is to provide a direct voice on volunteering issues from the sector to government.

The Volunteering Community Reference Group will provide the Hon Minister with non-binding advice and information on trends and issues impacting the sector and feedback on the implementation of the State Volunteering Strategy.

Communiques from the Volunteering Community Reference Group Meetings can be found at the end of this webpage.

The members of the Volunteering Community Reference Group include:

Minister for Volunteering

Hon. Don Punch MLA

Minister for Regional Development; Disability Services; Fisheries; Seniors and Ageing; Volunteering

Hon Don Punch MLA is the Minister for Regional Development; Disability Services; Fisheries; Seniors and Ageing; Volunteering, and has been a member of the Legislative Assembly since 2017, representing the seat of Bunbury.

Don migrated to Australia from Manchester in 1971, attending high school in Manjimup and Collie.

Prior to entering politics, Don studied psychology and social work at the University of Western Australia, and later completed an MBA at Edith Cowan University. He has worked throughout regional Western Australia as a social worker and as a Senior Executive in the public sector.

In 1998, Don became CEO of the South West Development and assumed responsibility for many aspects of the South West region’s social and economic development, including projects such as the renewal of the Manjimup town centre with an emphasis on food based tourism, the renewal of the Bunbury water front and the redevelopment of Busselton airport. He continued in this role until resigning to contest the seat of Bunbury for WA Labor in 2016.

His passion for blending social and economic development and commitment to creative design and emerging technologies characterised his work in the south west, and will continue to guide his Ministerial agenda.

Chair

Craig Spencer

Craig chairs the Volunteering Community Reference Group.

Craig has had a long term commitment to community service, currently holding several board and community representative roles and as an emergency services volunteer for over 17 years in both NSW and WA.

Craig believes the economic, social and cultural value of volunteering is very significant and that volunteering is an important part of the strong social fabric of our society, particularly in Western Australia where the vastness of our state often means that vital community services are delivered by volunteers.

Convenor

Tina Williams

As the CEO of Volunteering WA, the state peak body for volunteering, Tina is committed to driving VWA’s mission in leading, advancing and celebrating volunteering in WA. Tina’s work focuses on developing and leading a strong, inclusive and dynamic volunteer sector in WA that enriches our communities and makes volunteering safe, accessible and meaningful for everyone.

Tina is the convenor of the Volunteering Community Reference Group, where she provides government with a direct voice from the sector on their shared needs, interests and priorities. She is a passionate advocate for volunteers, supporting WA’s volunteering involving organisations and promoting the benefits of volunteering to grow the sector.

Volunteering WA Representative

Dominique Hansen

Dominique Hansen is the Manager, Policy and Research at Volunteering WA. Dominique works with our members, researchers, the community and government, to produce evidence-based policy supporting the growth and development of the volunteering sector. Dominique holds an Executive Master of Public Administration from the Australia New Zealand School of Government, and brings her extensive experience in strategic policy and advocacy in the Australian and New South Wales governments and the not-for-profit sector to this role.

Department of Communities

Claire Hurst

Claire has over 20 years public sector experience in state government agencies in both the Western Australia and Queensland governments specialising in policy, strategy, legislative reform and community engagement to effect positive social impact and change. Most recently, in the capacity of Director Inclusion for the Department of Communities, Claire has oversighted the development of the WA Volunteering Strategy Action Plan 2023–2026, the first Western Australian Seniors Strategy ‘An Age-Friendly WA’, and ‘Koorlangka Bidi’- the State’s new Youth Action Plan.

Corporate Representative

Carlie Jones

As RAC’s Community Volunteering Manager, Carlie Jones is responsible for taking a lead role in connecting the organisations workforce and 1.2 million members to Western Australia’s volunteering eco-system. Through this appointment, Carlie plays an integral role in developing and enabling a transformational program that provides meaningful pathways for employees and community to give back.

Her extensive experience in leading corporate programs along with her expertise in Public Health, Health and Safety and Social Impact have afforded her the opportunity to take on leadership roles within the sector. Carlie is a passionate advocate for driving community change and is Chair of the WA Corporate Volunteer Council. During the development of the National Volunteer Strategy, Carlie was also selected as a representative on the Corporate Volunteer Reference Group.

Carlie sees great potential in workplace volunteering programs and hopes to positively influence change through her leadership roles. Carlie has a vision for corporate volunteering to be more accessible and transformational, enabling an increase in the number of workplaces giving back and contributing to their local communities in meaningful ways.

Research Representatives

Dr Megan Paull

Dr Megan Paull is a senior lecturer at Murdoch University where she teaches in Management, including a unit in Leading and Managing Nonprofit Organisations.

Megan has had a long affiliation with Volunteering WA, having first been involved when undertaking research on managing change in volunteer involving organisations in the 1990s. She has been a leader and driver of the Volunteering WA Research Committee since its inception in 2001.

Most recently Megan led a federal government funded project examining university student volunteering - Volunteering to Learn.

Having completed her research masters and her PhD researching difficult aspects of managing volunteers, Megan prides herself on ensuring that the work undertaken in her research is communicated back to the community and to those who contributed to the research.

Local Government Representatives

Hannah Godsave

Hannah is the Policy Manager Community at the WA Local Government Association (WALGA). WALGA is the peak body representing the Local Government sector in WA. WALGA uses its influence, support and expertise to deliver better outcomes for WA Local Governments and their communities.

The Community portfolio covers a range of policy priorities, reflecting the critical issues the sector is engaged in. In addition to evolving and time critical priorities, the team also provides support and advice on social and community policies Local Governments manage. It is within this context that WALGA can facilitate and support the sector ton engage with the volunteer community.

Hannah has over 15 years’ experience in strategic policy development and stakeholder engagement through her work in the UK and WA State Governments before joining WALGA. Hannah volunteers in her local community and previously worked for a small volunteer operated Not for Profit organisation.

Volunteer Resource Representatives

Elizabeth Acason

Elizabeth is the Manager of the Swan Volunteer Resource Centre, where she coordinates a team of volunteer and paid staff to deliver support, information, referral and resources to the community and Volunteer Involving Organisations. With the Centre’s current membership of 220 groups, ranging from large not for profits and NGO’s to smaller volunteer led community groups, Elizabeth has a breadth of understanding of the successes and the challenges facing a wide cross section of the West Australian NFP sector. As a Centre that connects individuals through face to face consultation with volunteer opportunities in the community, Elizabeth is uniquely placed to understand the motivations and requirements of volunteers and how these issues should drive volunteer program development and innovation.

Elizabeth has volunteered and worked in the NFP sector in Perth for 29 years and is currently a member of the Volunteer Resource Centre Network Steering Committee.

Vicki Pollard

Vicki is the Manager of the Peel Volunteer Resource Centre (PVRC) and Rockingham Volunteer Centre (RVC), where she manages a team of volunteer and paid staff to deliver support, information, referral, and resources to the community and Volunteer Involving Organisations.

Vicki has a wide range of understanding of the successes and the challenges facing a wide cross section of the West Australian NFP sector, having held many executive roles in local NFP’s board of management including; Greenfields Family & Community Centre, Allambee (Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence), WestAus Crisis & Welfare and Lightweight Motorcycle Club to name a few. Vicki is well placed to understand the motivations, challenges and requirements of volunteers and volunteer managers and how these issues should drive volunteer program development and innovation.

Vicki has extensive years of experience in the Volunteer sector, with over 25 years as a volunteer and worked in the NFP sector in the Peel region for 15 years and is currently a member of the Volunteer Resource Centre Network Steering Committee and a founding member of the Volunteer Leadership Network.

Volunteer Representatives

Phil Scanlan

Phil Scanlan brings over a decade of dedicated service to emergency response and volunteer work, including roles with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) in the State Emergency Service (SES), Bush Fire Brigade (BFB), Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS), and Marine Rescue Service. He is an active management committee member and regional representative on the SES Volunteer Association committee. His professional experience spans government and private sectors, specialising in digital transformation, strategic planning, operational optimisation, and stakeholder engagement. Phil has also contributed to emergency management at district and local levels in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.

With a passion for volunteering, Phil is committed to promoting volunteer well-being and ensuring their interests are represented at the highest levels. Drawing on his extensive experience, he aims to strengthen and advance volunteering in Western Australia through effective advocacy and strategic initiatives.

Esther Bliss

Esther is part of the dynamic Town Team Movement and supports regional Volunteering Involving Organisations (VIOs) and active citizens as the coordinator of the Act Local program in the Wheatbelt. Esther’s enthusiasm in both work and volunteer roles is directed towards energising others to get involved, sharing ideas and skills, and ensuring the success of community-focused events and activities while championing the growth and well-being of the Wheatbelt region.

More recently, by co-creating the Northam Town Team, Esther and G.R.E.G (Group of Responsible Enthusiastic Go-Getters) have been able to involve the wider community and collaborate with numerous groups on a wide variety of community projects and events in Northam.

Sandra Prosser

Sandra has been a regional volunteer for more than two decades, with one of her earliest roles as secretary for the Jerramungup and Districts Agricultural Show. Since then, she has held executive roles on the local football club committee, community kindergarten, junior cricket association, and has run the primary school uniform shop.

Sandra lives in Esperance and is currently a member of a local primary school P&C, vice chair of a primary school board, and a member of the Esperance Emergency Support Unit. She has also worked in government for 25 years.

Sandra volunteers because she loves contributing to her local community. Her regional background and active involvement in these volunteer groups will help her represent regional perspectives.

Dr Tina Firth

Tina is a passionate young leader dedicated to caring for others and embodying kindness through action. Since turning 18, she has volunteered extensively with organisations such as the Starlight Children’s Foundation, St John Ambulance WA, the Salvation Army Street Outreach Service, and as secretary for the Mind the Change Inc board. For Tina, volunteering brings unparalleled joy, lifelong friendships, and valuable lessons in leadership and self-discovery, surpassing those gained in paid roles.

As a representative for youth and CALD communities, Tina is committed to breaking down barriers to volunteering, advocating for more flexible and accessible opportunities that fit around study and work commitments. She envisions a culture where volunteering is as common as playing a sport, empowering others to experience its transformative benefits.

Rahul Seth CA

Rahul Seth CA is the visionary founder of Activate Mental Health, Perth’s largest mental well-being support group, established in 2016. With a dedicated team of over 50 volunteers, Activate Mental Health fosters meaningful connections through uplifting social activities like walks, board game nights, and book clubs, empowering members to break free from social isolation. Rahul combines his passion for mental health as a professional support worker and business coach. In 2023, his exceptional contributions were recognised when he was named WA Volunteer of the Year.

Michael Wainwright

After a 20-year career in the Australian Army Michael (Mick) retired to Perth in 1994 and looked for opportunities to give back to the community. He joined the Noranda Lions club in 1999 and has completed several leadership roles in Lions including District Governor. Mick is still involved in the District Cabinet as the Constitution and By-laws Chair. Mick is currently the Chair of the Lions Cancer Institute (WA) Inc and the Lions Festival for Disadvantaged Children. Mick was elected to the City of Swan council in 2005 and served 12 years, which included six years as Deputy Mayor and two years as Mayor.

Mick retired from work in Oct 23 and is still deeply involved with Lions and is also currently the Treasurer of the Young Australia League and President of the Morley Noranda Recreation Club and Noranda Lions Club, he is a volunteer driver with the City of Swan Community Care.