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About Us

 

Photo - MelMelissa Gunn - Administrative Officer

I accepted the role of Administration Officer with the Tasmanian Community Fund in October 2007. I absolutely love my role because we are responsible for giving out money to organisations in need of funding. This is quite different to previous positions I have held which have involved ‘bringing the money in’ rather than ‘giving it out’.

A highlight for me in my current role is undertaking site visits to the various organisations we have funded and viewing the work undertaken – a lot of which has been completed by volunteers. I feel a real sense of achievement when I see the smiles on their faces and I bounce out of bed to come to work each day because I know we really are making a difference.

Before joining the fund, I held various administrative roles in Treasury including positions with the Liquor and Gaming branch, State Revenue Office, Government Prices Oversight Commission (GPOC) and the Office of the Tasmanian Energy Regulator (OTTER).

Prior to joining Treasury, I held positions at Global Lightning Technologies (a lightning and transient protection company), Marsh Insurance Brokers, Searson Buck and the Tasmanian Trades and Labor Council. I completed a Diploma in Office Management in 1999 and am keen to further develop my skills in the area of office and grant management.

Photo - MarkMark Green
Senior Executive Officer

I joined the Tasmanian Community Fund as the Senior Executive Officer on returning to Tasmania from 13 years on the mainland in May 2004. I have undertaken many roles with the Australian Public Service in Canberra and Melbourne, but nothing as enjoyable as managing the operations of the Fund.

The highlight for me is seeing how much can be achieved by a community or organisation when they set their mind to it – that, and the wonderful food provided at launches and events!  My family like reminding me that it’s not ‘my’ Fund – I’m just looking after it for a while until the next person comes along.

Being a grants manager is certainly different to many other positions.It sounds the easiest thing in the world to 'give money away' and that's true as far as it goes.

Funding the projects that will bring best value to the community and have the greatest chance of success - that's the challenge for us!

TCF Board

TCF Board
Left to right: Ron Sanderson, Fiona Calvert, Catherine Fernon, Gerald Loughran,
Mark Green, Melissa Gunn, Joan Walters, Lynn Mason, Andrew Kemp (former member)

Under its governing legislation, the TCF is managed by a Board of up to six members who, collectively, have sole and absolute discretion to make grants for worthwhile community purposes. Board members are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Treasurer. The Board has a legislative obligation to exercise reasonable care, act prudently and operate in an efficient, effective and economical manner. In addition, the Board has developed a Code of Conduct governing the operation of its members to ensure that its activities are conducted according to the highest standards.

The Code of Conduct is available on the TCF website at www.tascomfund.org and is revised from time to time. Board members receive a fee, set by Cabinet, to acknowledge the responsible position they hold as trustees of a significant pool of public funding. Details are included in the financial statements. Members of the Board have a mixture of financial and community based experience, and reside across the state.

Gerald Loughran
Gerald is a former chairman of the Trust Bank and the Trust Bank Foundation. Gerald is a director of a number of companies. He was the Managing Director of Loughrans Electrical & Furniture. Gerald is currently a Governor of the University of Tasmania Foundation, and a past president, Tasmanian Division, Institute of Company Directors. He has a long involvement in community organisations and resides in Hobart. Gerald was first appointed to the Board in 2000 as its inaugural Chairman and reappointed in 2005.

Fiona Calvert
Fiona is the Manager Strategy and Planning for Aurora Energy Pty Ltd. Fiona's previous employment includes Manager, Social Projects Units, Department of Premier & Cabinet and positions with the Department of Treasury & Finance, Tasmanian Development Authority and ANZ Banking Group. Fiona resides in Kingborough, was first appointed to the Board in 2000 and reappointed in 2005.

Catherine Fernon
Catherine lives on the North-West Coast and is currently Business Manager with the Institute of Regional Development at the University of Tasmania's Cradle Coast Campus. Catherine has many years experience working in community development and education and has a keen interest in supporting community and cultural development activities at a local level. Catherine was first appointed to the Board in 2003 and reappointed in 2007.

Lynn Mason
Lynn Mason is the immediate past-President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania; retiring in 2006 after 23 years as a Flinders Councillor. She is a Director for Quadrant Superannuation Fund and Metro Tasmania, and chairs Tasmanian Affordable Housing Ltd. With her husband she runs farms on Flinders Island and near Carrick in northern Tasmania. Lynn was appointed to the Board in March 2007 and particularly enjoys the strong sense of the power of the Tasmanian community that comes through working with the Fund.

Joan Walters
Joan Walters is a registered nurse with the majority of her experience in midwifery and child health. Joan is currently employed by Child Health and Parenting, Department of Health and Human Services. This role, combined with nine years of experience as an elected member of the Launceston City Council, provides her with a deep understanding of the issues for Tasmanian families and broader communities. Joan has wide experience in committee and board representation that have a particular focus on women, youth, child care, aged care, equity of accessibility and heritage. Joan was also on two selection panels during the year - The Examiner's Smarter Communities Award and the Women's Roll of Honour. Joan was first appointed to the Board in 2000 and has been subsequently reappointed in 2004 and 2007. Joan was reappointed to the Smart Communities panel in 2008.

Ron Sanderson
Ron Sanderson has extensive experience as an engineer and local government administrator. He is currently General Manager of the Brighton Council, with 20 years of local government experience within Tasmania giving him an extensive statewide network of contacts. Ron also spent 14 years as an engineer in the oil and gas industry working in Canada, Western Australia and Victoria. He is also a board member of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.


  
  

 






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The Tasmanian Community Fund Board
Email: admin@tascomfund.org
Phone: (03) 62 33 2800
Post: Tasmanian Community Fund
GPO Box, 1350
HOBART TAS 7001