Variety the Children’s Charity is privileged to benefit from the extraordinary dedication, experience and abilities of our volunteer Board of Directors.
Anna Grant: Chief Barker (Chairman)
Anna was elected as Chair of the Board December 2012. She is currently partner at Hobart law firm Butler McIntyre and Butler, specialising in family law. Anna has a history of involvement in community organisations and joined the board of Variety in 2007. Since that time, Anna has held various positions and been involved in various sub-committees. Anna assisted in the establishment of Ladies of Variety (LOV), a fun-loving group of professional women committed to giving their time and support to raise money for Tasmania’s sick, disabled and disadvantaged children. LOV members are now a solid base for Variety to call onto assist with such functions as AFL Ladies Lunch and Carols By the Bay.
Charles Badenach
: Vice Chairman
Charles is a Principal and Shareholder of the Shadforth Financial Group. He has a combined Bachelor of Arts and Law Degree and Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice from the University of Tasmania. He previously worked in the legal profession and is a Certified Financial Planner. Charles has also completed the Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment through the Securities Institute and is a Graduate from the Institute of Company Directors Diploma Course. Charles is also a Justice of the Peace.
Sandra Rodman: Vice Chairman
Sandy has been involved in the hospitality industry for almost 30 years and holds a Diploma of Frontline Management and Workplace Training and Assessment. Sandy is the President of the Moonah & Glenorchy Business Association Inc. and Chairman of the Glenorchy & Brighton Liquor Accord. Sandy has been a part of the Variety Board for a number of years.
Michael Denehey: Treasurer
Michael operates Capital 3 Accounting, an accounting business with a diverse range of clients, specialising in Strategic Planning, with a team of 9. Michael graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Commerce Degree in 1987 and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Michael has joined the Variety Board in December 2012, as an active member of the Variety Rolling Discussion cycling group.
John Simpson: Secretary
Now semi-retired John has had a 45 year career in the forest industries of New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia, primarily in operational management and marketing. John started and has continued to manage a Tasmanian forest industry charity; “Log a Load for Kids”; for rural children who have social, medical or educational needs. Through the sole efforts of John and his wife Jan, a beneficial partnership has been developed between Log a Load for Kids and Variety, sharing mutual goals to assist those individuals and families in Tasmania which need a little extra help. A committed supporter of the Variety Tasbash for some 10 years with the use of the “Dragon” car together with Jan’s car the “Bumble Bee”, John actively promotes Variety in many school and community based events.
Samuel Baker
Sam is an equities adviser with Shadforth Financial Group. He has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Tasmania and a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning. Sam is a fellow of the Financial Institute of Australasia. Prior to joining Shadforth Financial Group, Sam worked in the tourism industry in Los Angeles and with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Hobart. Sam joined the Variety Board in December 2012.
Dean Jones
Originally from Wollongong NSW, Dean joined the Variety Board in 2012. Dean was the General Manager of environmental company which covered both NSW and Qld and his professional profile includes managing large contracts. Dean moved to Hobart in 2009 and is currently a Project Director with Aurora Energy. Dean and his wife are raising a young family, and he is actively involved in numerous sporting organisations both as a player and in administration. Dean has previously been involved with a children with cancer charity in NSW and joined Variety Tasmania as he feels passionately about assisting Tasmanian children.
Callan Paske
Callan currently works as Brand Manager for Huon Aquaculture, producers of premium Atlantic salmon. He previously worked as a Consultant at Tasmania’s largest public relations firm Font where he specialised in digital communications and strategy development and implementation. He has been a freelance journalist, owned his own business, managed bars and restaurants and worked abroad in public relations and marketing. He coordinated major media for sports and entertainment in London, working with media outlets including the BBC, SkyTV, Setanta and ITV. Callan holds a keen interest in the merging of communications, marketing and social media and how they affect the way communities and business respond to consumer demand. He is a member of the Public Relations Institute of Australia, a Council Member of the Australian Marketing Institute (Tasmania) and a University of Tasmania graduate with a Bachelor of the Arts majoring in Journalism and Entrepreneurship. Callan joined the Variety Board in December 2011.
Mike Wisby
Mike Wisby BCom, CA, MAICD was Chairman of Variety Tasmania from 2009-2012. He is currently the CEO of the Tasmanian Racing Club, a position he has held since 2003. Mike has been a Director of Metro Tasmania since 2000 and is a past President and current Honorary Treasurer of the Carbine Club of Tasmania. Mike has a long history of community involvement, having been a member of Kingston Apex and the Kingston Branch of the RCWA in the late 1970’s and 80’s.
Damon Wise
Damon Wise is the General Manager of Southern Cross Austereo in Hobart. His career in media spans 27 years, having worked in a variety of roles across the state in Production, Sales and Marketing. Damon is a director of the Hobart Chamber of Commerce and Board member of the Festival of Voices. Damon joined the Variety Board in December 2011.