Board
Robert Anderson (Vice Chairperson)
Previously a Property Consultant with Ray White Launceston, but now retired Rob has many years of experience across various committees and boards, including the Northern Tasmanian Football Association (General Manager for over 17 years, St Kilda's Supporters Group, Newnham Neighbourhood Treasurer for 16 years and is a Life Member of numerous sporting clubs. Enjoys spending time with his partner Deb and loves cooking a BBQ while entertaining family and friends.
Ross Clark (Chairperson)
Ross came on the board in 2024, quickly moved in as Deputy Chair.
Ross is the proud father of 2 and adoring grandfather.
Ross has ran a successful business for over 20 years now, employing many staff and kick starting the career of many young tradies along the way.
Played a lot of cricket and football over the years, playing coach of three cricket clubs that were well respected and successful.
Ross was a well respected of the NTFA board for over 4 years.
Coached over 8 consecutive years with the LFC juniors then onto the under 18s plus assisting with the senior body over a very successful period in early 2000.
Was recently heavily involved with the LFC Women’s programme for three years.
Ross sat on the board of the LFC for three years also.
With his wife Michelle being so passionate and a board member of the LBS I thought that I also could help with such an important community society.
Currently Deputy Chairman and enjoy the opportunity to share my passion with other members plus the community
John Stevenson (Treasurer)
Born Launceston in 1944 and married to Janet, with 2 children and currently 6 grandchildren, John was educated at Launceston Church Grammar School then worked in a Chartered Accountant's office for 10 years followed by 40 years as an accountant and estate clerk for a firm of Solicitors.
John, as well as being a Board Member, works as a volunteer at the Launceston Benevolent Society, he is a well respected volunteer as well as a long serving Board Member.
John enjoys a game of golf, when he is not volunteering between the Men's shed and us.
Janet and John took sometime out of their busy life and had a caravan adventure, up the East Coast of Australia.
Katrina De Wit (Public officer)
With more free time upon her retirement as a small business operator in 2022, Katrina’s journey with the LBS commenced as a volunteer. Working alongside other incredibly compassionate and generous volunteers aiding those in our community whom are struggling and in vulnerable positions has been both an eye opener and an incredibly satisfying experience. Katrina has recently joined the board and feels strongly that working alongside other members with diverse professional backgrounds will be positively impactful. With the collective commitment of the board, volunteers and staff, supporting, providing relief, advice and training, I truly believe our vision and purpose will make a real difference to our region.
Married to Andrew with three wonderful children and grandchildren, Katrina is delighted to be associated with such a meaningful organisation.
Karen Crane (General Manager)
The Launceston Benevolent Society announces the appointment of Ms Karen Crane as it’s new General Manager. Ms Crane has previously worked for a National Company and seen her awarded in national campaigns, innovative directional concepts within Tasmania and holds impressive credentials in customer and stakeholder engagement.
Ms Crane’s appointment comes at a time where members of our community are facing severe challenges within cost of living, homelessness and complex pressures on day to day living. The Launceston Benevolent Society recognises these challenges and will be lending a hand to those in our community who need assistance.
Brian Faulkner
Born in Launceston in 1939 and married to Wendy with 3 children and 6 grandchildren. Brian was educated at the Launceston Church Grammar School and had a long and successful career at C. J. Weedon & Co as a Stock and Sharebroker.
He is a former Board Member of Tasmanian Trustees and The Hobart Stock Exchange and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Brian enjoys time with family and helping others through his involvement in a number of charities. He is a Life Member of the Launceston Benevolent Society.
Norm Hills
Born in Sydney, Norm moved to Tasmania in 1973. Norm has enjoyed a varied working life as an electrical contractor, in industrial electronics and serving 10 years with Ramset Fasteners. He spent the last 10 years of his working career owning a manufacturing clothing company which made clothes for nursing home residents.
Norm has served on the State Alzheimer’s Committee and has been a volunteer and Board member with the Launceston Benevolent Society since 1998.
Norm enjoys golf and spending time with family and is very passionate about his work at the Society.
Michelle Clark
A retail business owner of Capri Launceston for 17 years in the city and I currently sit on a board as Tasmania’s director on Australia’s largest retail buying group Frontline Australia, which I have for 12 years.
Being a business owner in the city of Launceston, I look out of my store window and witness a hell of a lot of homeless people living on the streets and suffering in general from mental health, victims of domestic violence or just general hardship on a day to day basis.
I began my involvement as a business sponsor for the annual fund raising event approximately 9 years, Michelle listened to the stories and was driven to join the board, and make a difference to those doing it tough in the community.
I love that the Society helps the wider community, embracing homelessness ,victims of domestic violence, male or female and their children.
The ability to offer needed daily requirements would not be possible if not for the generosity of so many local businesses sponsorship of funds and goods.
This generosity gives us the ability to help everyone we can for "free"
I am very passionate about the Benevolent Society, I go home and think endlessly about what more I / we can achieve.
And I look forward to sitting in the board into my retirement in a few years so I can dedicate more time to helping out.
Michelle is the proud Mother of 2, doting grandmother and Wife of Ross. Ross listened to how passionate I am about the Society, has also joined.
Leeann Patterson
Lee-Ann is thankful to be welcomed onto the Board of the Launceston Benevolent Society in 2024.
As a mother of 2 adult children, Lee-Ann's experience and dedication to community has been recognised in the aged care and not-for-profit sectors.
Lee-Ann joins the LBS with a background in Retirement Village management and the Federal political arena. She has been recognised in National awards in Village management and holds experience in Board governance.
She is deeply focused on community and dedicated to ensure that people are given a meaningful purpose and offered a hand up during times of need.
Lee-Ann is looking forward to advancing the LBS to the community.
Louise Millwood
I feel privileged to be invited to join The Benevolent Society Board, a charity that aligns closely with my personal values.
I bring to the board a strong background of advocacy for gender equality, through my work in leading the establishment of women’s AFL football competition in the north of our state.
My many years of commitment to female sport has been recognised by my appointment to AFL Female Advisory and more recently my appointment to the Tasmanian Football Club Female Advisory Panel.
I comfortably collaborate with high level stake holders to develop long-range, strategic goals, identifying and reviewing inclusion initiatives.
I bring to this role a strength of character that allows me to be true to my commitment to high ethical standards and my solid set of personal morals.
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