Variety the children’s charity is privileged to benefit from the extraordinary dedication, experience abilities of our volunteer board of directors.
John Mancini: Chief Barker
John holds a Bachelor of Business and is currently the Managing Director of ADG Global Supply – an ASX listed resource and energy supplies company. His previous role was as an Associate Director in Ernst & Young's strategic growth markets division and prior to this he spent 15 years in commercial banking in both relationship and senior management roles. John is currently a board member of Intercon Logistics and has previous board experience with the Italian Chamber of Commerce.
John is married to Elena and has a six year old daughter, Lara, who has special needs. John has been associated indirectly with Variety over the last 4 years both in the capacity as a board member and assisting Variety Bashers with their fund raising activities.
Evan Briers: Vice Chief Barker
As Director of Property Investments, Evan oversees Hawaiian’s investment team which controls Hawaiian’s property investment and development projects.
Since joining Hawaiian in September 2004, some of the projects undertaken by Evan’s team have included the redevelopment of 50 Pitt Street in Sydney, Claremont Quarter and development of Perth’s first 5 star NABERS Energy Base Building, 235 St Georges Terrace.
Prior to joining Hawaiian, Evan’s experience was predominantly gained in the field of asset management with Jones Lang LaSalle
As well as business partnerships, Evan has also been responsible for developing partnerships and working closely with community groups and supporting those in need.
Evan has participated in 5 Variety 4WD Challenge events.
James Komninos: Treasurer
James joined the Variety WA Board of Management in 2011.
The Managing Partner - Perth of RSM Bird Cameron, James oversees the strategic direction of the firm’s Perth office, leading business development, marketing and management initiatives.
Having worked with the firm for 19 years, James has extensive experience in auditing and providing general accounting assistance to audit clientele, and offering strategic and governance advice to a diverse range of boards in Western Australia, from ASX listed companies to incorporated associations and non profit organisations.
James is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and in addition to his position as Treasurer of Variety WA, is also a councillor for the Western Australian Chapter of the Australia Business Arts Foundation.
Sally Hunter:
Chair: Grants and Programs Committee
Sally Hunter is an Occupational Therapist with over 20 years experience in the disability and rehabilitation sector. Sally has worked in various roles in the disability sector including children’s services at Rocky Bay, Post School Options and as a therapist with the Disability Services Commission and Brightwater Care Group. For the past 8 years Sally has been employed at the Independent Living Centre of WA where she is the manager of ILC Technology and Country Services. Sally has been a member of the Variety grants committee for the past 5 years
Don Brooker:
Chair: Events Committee
Don Brooker has been actively involved in Variety WA for 11 years. In this time he has been part of 7 Bashes, 7 Bike Run Events, 2 4WD Challenges and 1 Splash.
Don is the proud sponsor of the Coleman Variety 4WD Challenge. The Brooker family regularly participates in Variety fundraisers and events. When Don is not engaged in the activities of Variety, he is the owner of a wholesale / distribution company in the sports and camping industry.
Craig Gemmill:
Craig has been involved with Variety WA since 2007 through his company Gemmill Homes. In this time Gemmill Homes has raised over $600,000 for Variety WA.
Craig’s wife Renee has co-ordinated the Gemmill Homes Variety Ball (previously the Car 79 Ball) each year since 2007, with a record of over 800 guests attending in 2011. They have three young children and are passionate about Variety.
Gemmill Homes have also completed two charity homes, with all proceeds going directly to Variety WA.
The Gemmill Homes Group is currently the 29th largest building company in Australia and the 8th largest in Western Australia.
Phil McBurney:
Phil McBurney brings to Variety a range of skills that have been gained through his business interests in retail, property development and hospitality, with interests in motels, a hotel and is on the Board of an overseas property company registered in the United States.
Prior to entering private enterprise, Phil served with the Australian Navy for 23 years, as a Commissioned Officer, specialising in logistics.
Phil serves on several boards for various Private Companies, and is Chairman of a NPO organisation, which provides low cost accommodation for pensioners in a joint venture with the State Government.
Phil is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
He has participated in six Bashes, one international Bash, was member of the 2009 Bash Committee and has attended two international conferences as a voting delegate.
Anthony Begley:
Anthony is currently the Executive Chairman, and part-owner, of 89 Enterprises - a residential and commercial garage door and shutter business based in Willetton. In partnership with his brother, Anthony has expanded this WA business into a successful and rapidly expanding multi-million dollar venture, which employs approximately 25 people across branches in Perth, Karratha and Port Hedland.
An obsessive car enthusiast (Anthony is a qualified Australian Group 1 Drag racer), Anthony’s involvement with Variety stretches back some 18 years; including a total of 13 Bash attendances, 1 four-wheel drive event, and 7 years as Committee Member (including 2 years as President) of the Bashers’ Club Committee.
Anthony and his wife Jayne (who is also heavily involved with Variety WA) have two children – Emma and Connor.
Wayne Carroll:
Wayne has been working in the hospitality industry for 27 years and for the past nine years has been employed at Joondalup Resort & Country Club as the General Manager for both Hotel and Golf Operations.
Wayne has been a passionate supporter of Variety since 2007, participating in three Bash events as well as the Variety Bike Run in 2011.
Wayne is also involved in various community and charity events, including being a Committee Member for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a Rotary Member for ten years.
A happily married Father of three healthy children, Wayne joined the Variety WA Board of Management to give something back and help other families who are not as fortunate, using his business skills to assist in the further corporate development of the charity.
Rod O'Dea:
Rod has been associated with Variety WA since 1995 as both an entrant in 4WD events and as an official on the ’95 and ’96 bash.
Rod has worked in banking and finance for over twenty five years in Retail and Business banking, Treasury and funds management.
Rod now has his own finance broking firm which has set up an ongoing philanthropy programme with Variety WA that directs a percentage of gross income to Variety WA.
Rod holds an MBA and is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Superannuation Funds Association.
Brett Heatley:
Brett is 36 years of age, married for 12 years and has 3 active young boys.
Although relatively new to the Variety family with two Bashes under his belt (he sat out 2011 due to injury), Brett grew up with Variety in his blood as the son of a long time Basher. His team ‘the Harry Globe Potters’ is a consistent Top Ten Fundraiser, 2010 Bashers of the Year and 2011 Spirit of the Bash.
Brett has actively contributed to the Bash as it has begun to evolve over the past few years and is committed to shaping its future direction to see it continue to grow as a quality fundraising event for Variety.
Brett is currently director of five private family companies but is looking to contribute to a philanthropic cause to balance out his business interests.
Graeme Bylund:
Graeme is married with four children and lives in Geraldton in the Midwest. He has been an active member of Variety WA and has completed six Bashes as well as participated in the first Variety Creative Car Cruise.
Graeme has owned and managed his own steel fabrication business for 15 years and believes that if you are to take out of the community, then you must put back in. He has been involved and held positions on boards and committees in many community groups from football and BMX to Rotary and has served as a local Councilor for the last four years, having just been elected for another four years with the City of Greater Geraldton.
Graeme is passionate about his family, business and the community and believes that he can contribute a lot to the Board of Variety WA.