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”
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.”
Alison Greenwood
Alison has over 20 years experience in the Financial Planning Industry, and has been a Director of her own Financial Planning Business for 15 years, where she assists clients meet their financial goals and teaches financial literacy.
Alison’s previous experience includes holding key roles as Financial Planning Manager and Principal of an accounting firm.
Alison is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® with a Diploma in Financial Planning, a Diploma of Business Management, a Diploma of Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in psychology. Alison has also recently completed her Post Grad in Financial Planning. Over the years, Alison has been involved alongside her husband in running volunteer projects. Some of these have involved renovations and general tidy ups of Hobart City Mission’s properties. Alison has seen the impact these projects have had on the community and understands the value of volunteers. Alison is also a CertEDC having completed the Effective Director Course.
“My aim in volunteering for the HCM board is to apply my knowledge, experience and passion, to positively change lives. I see all the amazing work the HCM does in our community, and think it is a privilege to be part of this.”
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.”
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.”
Freya Beech
Freya Beech is an experienced Human Resources leader ensuring a people & culture focus is always on the agenda. Freya works for GHD, a global engineering consultancy based in Tasmania where she has been on the leadership team providing strategic and operation advice for 5 plus years.
In addition to her People Leader role, Freya has volunteered for the Australian Human Resources Institute as a state councilor since 2018 and in 2020 was elected as Tasmania State President.
Freya has held HR leader roles in financial services, healthcare, the arts, large not-for-profits, and private enterprise and holds a Bachelor in Education and a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Human Resources.
Freya’s extensive understanding of employment law, leadership, wellbeing, strategy and business best practice enable her to continually deliver outstanding results and take a wholistic approach within organisations. Freya is passionate about ethical authentic leadership where she strives to make a difference to others at work and in the community by encouraging professional and personal growth.
Freya joined the Hobart City Mission Board in August 2023.
“I am honoured to contribute to Hobart City Mission’s important work. The passion and hard work of the Hobart City Mission team is inspiring particularly as they make a positive impact on the community through the many programs and initiatives such as the small steps program. I believe and know through my own experience that the right support at the right time can make a significant positive impact in a person’s life, and this is why I want to give back in any way I can through the important community work of Hobart City Mission. I am humbled to have an opportunity to support such important work in Tasmania.”
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.
View the Hobart City Mission constitution here.