Variety the Children’s Charity is privileged to benefit from the extraordinary dedication, experience and abilities of our volunteer Board of Directors.
Mike Wisby: Chief Barker (Chairman)
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Mike Wisby BCom, CA, MAICD has been Chairman of Variety Tasmania since mid-2009. He is also 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.
Anna Grant: Vice Chairman
Anna is a partner at 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, she has been instrumental in establishing Ladies of Variety(LOV), a group of fun-loving professional women who assist Variety in raising money for Tasmania’s sick, disabled and disadvantaged children. LOV members have organised corporate race days at Tattersall’s Park raising around $33,000.00 and also worked tirelessly at the Hobart City Council’s Carols by the Bay, generating further funds for Variety.
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 Secretary of Soroptimist International of Hobart and President of the Claremont Progress Association and is also involved in various community and advisory committees such as Chairman of the Glenorchy Visitor Task Force (a special committee of Glenorchy City Council), Tasmanian Gaming Commission working group and the Moonah and Glenorchy Business Association. She is currently Licensee and Manager of the Claremont Hotel and teacher of Responsible Service of Alcohol at Drysdale.
Jeremy Williams: Treasurer
Jeremy is a Director at KPMG Tasmania responsible for IT Consultancy and Advisory Services. With extensive business experience of 17 years, Jeremy can include seven years experience working in the United Kingdom at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Studying at the University of Tasmania graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce he became a Chartered Accountant in 1996. Jeremy joined Variety’s board in 2009, utilising his skills as Treasurer.
Loretta Tongs: Secretary.jpg "Loretta Tongs")
Loretta, formally from the North West coast of Tasmania, has been living on the East Coast of Tasmania for the past 3 years. Loretta has 7 years experience as a Dispensary Technician and is also currently undertaking a Marketing and Business course. Loretta has been directly involved with Variety for a number of years and has attended a number of Tasbashes. Her association with Variety goes back approximately 19 years, through her father Rowen Tongs. Loretta joined the board in December 2009. She feels very passionate about Variety and believes strongly in the goals of the charity.
Charles Badenach
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.
Patrick Barlow.jpg "Patrick Barlow")
Patrick has over thirty years progressive career experience in business affairs, marketing, sales promotion, advertising and sales management. He has been a member of Variety the Children’s Charity Tasmania since 1990. Patrick held the position of Barker, Variety Club International Tent 76 and was a National Board Member of the Variety Club of Australia from 1992 – 1994. A highlight of Patrick’s time as Barker (Chairman), was the coordination of the arrival of the organisation’s patron, His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, KG, GCB, who presented a Sunshine Coach to the then Tasmanian Spastics Association at Government House, Tasmania in 1994. Patrick is also a member of the Cancer Council Tasmania Prostate Action Committee, the Hobart Cancerians, the Australian Marketing Institute, the Tasmanian Racing Club and the Hobart Eisteddfod.
Karen Fraser
Karen Fraser is the Marketing & Communications Manager at Business Events Tasmania. Formally Karen worked for Tourism Tasmania for over 16 years where she held senior management roles in International Marketing, Strategy and Organisational Performance. She also owns and operates a B&B. Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma of Education and a Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management. Originally from Sydney, she has travelled widely and has spent 5 years living in Europe and 4 years in the U.S. Karen is passionate about Tasmania as a destination for visitors, business events and students; as well as it's community and a place to call home. Karen joined the board in December 2011.
Callan Paske
Callan is a Consultant at Tasmania’s largest public relations firm Font where he specialises 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 all at the age of just 26. 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 he is a University of Tasmania graduate with a Bachelor of the Arts majoring in Journalism and Entrepreneurship. Callan joined the board in December 2011.
John Simpson
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.
Damon Wise