Melissa Gunn - Administrative Officer

I accepted the role of Administrative Officer with the Tasmanian Community Fund in October 2007 after spending 7 years working in various roles within Treasury. A highlight for me in my role is reading the success stories the grant recipients provide on completion of their projects. Their passion, dedication and enthusiasm is truly inspiring. We should all be very proud of these achievements and the difference these organisations, their staff, and volunteers are making to our beautiful State.

Prior to joining Treasury, I held secretarial & system administrator 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 grant management and public speaking.

Mark 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!

Our Board

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.

Lynn Mason (Chairwoman)

Lynn 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 of Quadrant Superannuation Fund and Metro Tasmania, a member of the Stronger Communities Task Force, 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 sense of the power and strength of the Tasmanian community that comes through working with the Fund.

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.

Ron Sanderson

Ron 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 state-wide 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.

Peter Kay

Peter has significant experience in corporate governance, management, public relations and corporate communications. He has held senior positions in Australian Government departments and statutory authorities providing funding and in the private sector in Tasmania, where he was Manager, Marketing and Public Affairs for the RACT, Chief Executive of communications firm Kay & Kay and a Director of the Printing Authority of Tasmania.

Nell Kuilenburg

Nell has 25 years experience working in the non-government sector. She is Development & Research Manager with The Salvation Army Tasmania, and has worked with a number of non-government and Commonwealth Government agencies. She has been a board member of several non-government organisations and networks at both a state and national level including aged care, domestic violence, child abuse, new arrivals and community housing. She has a keen interest in child protection, family violence, aged care and projects that focus on early intervention and prevention.

Sheryl Thomas

Sheryl has significant experience in assisting not for profit community organisations across Tasmanian in accessing funding to grow communities, through a previously federally funded program. While Sheryl has always lived in Launceston, her past employment positions has allowed regular visits to all parts of Tasmania, allowing for a greater understanding of projects that can contribute to successful outcomes. Sheryl also has commitments to education and training, and natural resource management.