Dr Nicole Bluett-Boyd brings her experience in community development, strategic governance and gender based work to Alola Australia.  She is a criminologist with extensive research history in gender-based violence in Australia and also in Timor-Leste.  She was inspired to contribute to the work of Alola Australia after witnessing the enthusiasm and innovative ideas of Timorese communities during several visits to Timor-Leste, including living there for most of 2014.  Her work on community-led responses to family violence bolstered her belief that a focus on building the strengths and capacities of women is central to the future development and prosperity of communities. Nicole joined the Board in March 2015.

Maria Bohan joined the Board in July 2011 and is the Co-Chair of the Board.  Her interest in Timor-Leste began in 1975 when Indonesia invaded and she was active in the Australian based campaign for independence.  She has education and community development qualifications and worked for eight years in development education of Australians about issues of global injustice.  Maria was the CEO of the state-wide peak body Carers Victoria for seventeen years.  She is keen to contribute her governance, advocacy, and education and training expertise to support Alola Australia’s work

Nandy Gurr’s interest in Timor-Leste began in 2004 when her husband, Steve, went there to work for 5 years.  Whenever Nandy herself visited she would go to Fundasaun Alola and it was through Steve that she met Dr Kirsty Sword Gusmão AO. Nandy encouraged her church community and her friends to support fundraising ventures in Timor-Leste, as for example, school feeding programs, books in Tetum, building a preschool, new classrooms for schools, and children’s activity centres at Dili and Baucau Hospitals. In 2017, 2018 and 2019 Nandy co-hosted with Kirsty, Study Tours to Timor-Leste offering participants opportunities to meet Timorese leaders and learn about the country.  Nandy contributes diverse skills and energy to assist Alola Australia’s important partnership with Fundasaun Alola.

Stephen Lavender joined the Board in August 2017 and has been appointed Treasurer of Alola Australia. Stephen has a decades long interest in issues of international justice, including with Timor-Leste one of our nearest neighbours. Stephen believes that Australia has a unique link and special responsibility to support Timor-Leste.  Knowing that supporting women achieve justice and equitable development is recognized as being of crucial importance, Stephen is keen to support the work of Fundasaun Alola and Alola Australia.  Stephen has over 20 years’ experience in financial management in the Not For Profit sector and currently volunteers and serves on Boards in several Not For Profit agencies, inc Oxfam, New Internationalist and the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre.

Natalie Savin joined the Board in June 2014. She is Company Secretary and Convenor of the Audit and Risk Management Committee. Natalie has been involved in Timor-Leste issues since 1975. Her background is in health and welfare, with senior executive roles in local and state government followed by similar roles in a number of not for profit organisations.  Natalie has maintained a long interest in oral health and continues to advocate for increased access to affordable services.  She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of North Richmond Community Health Limited.

Helen Skinner is Co-Chair of the board and has a general interest in development across the Asia-Pacific region, particularly as it relates to the lives of women and children. She is passionate about promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion and is excited about contributing to strong governance in the Not-for-Profit sector. Helen currently works in PwC’s Risk Assurance practice and has 13 years’ experience in providing internal audit, risk management and compliance services across pubic and Not-for-Profit organisations. Helen is an active member of PwC’s gender equality committee. Helen joined the Board in February 2016.

Heather Wallace first visited Timor-Leste in 2011.  Meeting some of the women, children and midwives on that trip prompted her to return to university to undertake further studies and research focused  on maternal health in Timor.  Heather also has a connection to Timor-Leste through her local ‘Friendship Schools’ group, and has visited Viqueque a number of times through this link.  Heather’s background is in nursing, midwifery and public health, and she currently works in higher education.  She is passionate about maternal health and empowering women, and is drawn to Alola Australia for these shared values.

Sue Lee is Alola’s Administration Manager and works in the role for 8-hours per week. In 2010 Sue Lee read a magazine article about Dr Kirsty Sword Gusmāo AO.  She immediately purchased Alola Australia vouchers as gifts for friends.  Not long after this there was a notice in Alola’s newsletter seeking someone to assist with its publication.  For 8 years Sue designed the newsletters – all the time learning more and more about the women and children in Timor-Leste. Sue became the Administration Manager in November 2020. Sue brings 40 years of administration experience in not-for-profit organisations to the role.