Meet the Board

Portrait of John Minchin, President of Hobart City Mission Board

John Minchin – President

BE, MBA

John is a professional engineer with over 36 years of engineering and management experience. He specialises in risk and compliance management, business continuity planning, business support services and strategic planning. In 2011 he retired as a Business Risk and Compliance Manager from Hydro Tasmania and subsequently volunteered to help Hobart City Mission to develop and implement a risk management system.

John joined the Board in 2012. He also chairs the Governance Risk and Audit Committee. He is Vice President and Executive Member of the Tasmanian Association of State Superannuants, and is a Tasmania Branch Committee member of the Association of Professional Engineers Australia.

“I continue to be amazed by the work the dedicated staff and volunteers of the Mission do, and the positive outcomes they achieve with the less fortunate members of our community. As a Board Member I hope that I can support their work”

Portrait of Peter Gartlan - Deputy President of Hobart City Mission's Board

Peter Gartlan – Deputy President

B.Com MAICD

Peter Gartlan is an ICT Consultant with over 30 years experience managing and delivering business ICT products and services. Peter’s professional career includes many years as a partner and executive director of a major ICT infrastructure products and services provider.

Peter has also worked in senior roles providing strategic and operational assistance on business ICT systems, and as an advisor to government and industry on ICT policy and strategy. Peter now assists corporate and government organisations of all sizes to plan, deploy and deliver business technology to achieve their business priorities.

Peter joined the HCM board in June 2017.

“I volunteer for HCM because I want to help disadvantaged people in my community. I think anyone who enjoys good circumstances should share the benefits and support HCM.”

Barry Neilsen

B.Eng, FIEAust, MAICD

Barry is a Senior Principal at Pitt & Sherry, with over 40 years of experience in engineering and building projects. He has worked in all sectors of the industry, including construction, local government and as a consultant. 

He is Chairman of Australian Building Surveying Services, recently completed a nine-year term as a member of the Australian Building Codes Board and is the past Chair of the External Advisory Committee for the University of Tasmania Engineering School and past National President of the Association of Consulting Engineers, Australia.

Barry was appointed to the Hobart City Mission Board in 1998 and was president from 2011 to 2018.

“Ever since I became involved with the Mission, I have been both humbled and appreciative of the enormous effort provided by the dedicated team of staff and the large number of volunteers that deliver the wide range of Mission activities. I am pleased to be able to be part of this team who provide their time and skills for the benefit of our local community.” 

Beverley Jefferson

B.Arts, Grad Dip. Film & TV, Grad Cert. Business

Beverley has worked in a variety of management roles for over 25 years in the not for profit and private sectors, as well as government roles. She has extensive experience in stakeholder and project management, program delivery, communications and capacity building. For the last five years Bev has worked mainly within the Australian public service, and currently is regional manager – Southern Tasmania for AusIndustry, within the federal Dept. of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. Bev is the Commonwealth Government representative on the Southern COVID-19 Regional Recovery Committee and is a founder and current member of the Sandy Duncanson Social Justice Fund (UTAS). She provided secreteriat for the Tasmanian Emergency Relief Coordination group during 2020 and has served on numerous boards including: Tenants’ Union of Tasmania, Tasmanian Writers Centre, Screen Development Australia and Regional Arts Australia.

Beverley was appointed to the Hobart City Board in 2021, saying “Hobart City Mission is renowned for respecting the dignity and human rights of every person that requests support. As a board member I want to add value and support to me fellow volunteers, our generous donors and remarkable staff”

“Hobart City Mission’s commitment to making a difference to local people is why I am pleased to be a part of the organisation. I find the dedication of the Hobart City Mission team to be very inspiring, they are innovative, flexible and focused on positive outcomes for Tasmanians.”

Portrait of Damian Egan - Board Member at Hobart City Mission

Damian Egan

B.Ec., LL.B, CTA, FAICD

Damian has been a partner of Murdoch Clarke since 1985, practicing in commercial, corporate and property law. He is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia, past Chair of the Retirement Benefits Fund and past member of the Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee. He is also a director of a number of proprietary business corporations.

Damian joined the HCM Board in 2008 and is Chair of the Finance, Investment and Property Management Committee and a Director of HCM Property Management Trust P/L.

“I am pleased to volunteer as a Director of Hobart City Mission because of its commitment to our community and the positive impact on the families/individuals/clients it  supports.”

Emily Cooper

Emily has extensive experience as a pharmacist, and has worked across Australia, in both rural and metropolitan areas.  Emily is currently employed at the Royal Hobart Hospital, as a pharmacy educator, is a member of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists Australia, and is completing a Masters of Clinical Pharmacy through Monash University.  Emily has past experience of being on the Caroline House Board, in the capacity of the Secretary.

“I am thoroughly pleased in being a part of an organisation that solely gives back to the local community, and provides support, which can help facilitate the transition of people from supported accommodation into the community, in addition, to other important services.”

Portrait of Patrick Carlisle - Board Member at Hobart City Mission

Patrick Carlisle

GAICD

Patrick has held a number of volunteer Director posts in Not-for-Profit Associations for nearly four decades. Using his Master of Business education to assist NFP organisations to become stronger and more resilient in the evolving economic and civil environment. Patrick has used his strength in accounting to strengthen their balance sheets to allow organisations to become more independent of Government funding.

Patrick has been the Treasurer of over seven NFP’s, Chair of two Associations; served on two National Committee’s and four years as Deputy-Chair of the Tasmanian Social Science Human Research Ethic Committee. In 2016 Patrick stepped down as the Chair of the Mental Health Council of Tasmania. Currently he is an Independent Director of RSL Tasmania and Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA), a national peak body for community based mental health associations.Patrick has strong experience in accounting; the Not-for-Profit sector and governance. Patrick has been a member of AICD since 2013 and graduated the Company Directors Course in 2015.

“I’m proud to be a Director of Hobart City Mission after seeing the work and support given to homeless persons and impact on their lives and futures.”

View the Hobart City Mission constitution here.