Our Board
Wisdom, compassion and experience… working together as one.
Our Board members each have a personal association with diabetes – either living with diabetes themselves or with a close family member who has diabetes.
Our Board represents a wealth of vision, experience and strategic acumen.
Our Board meets regularly to discuss current issues and to focus on how Diabetes SA can continue to best represent the interests of our members and all people at risk or living with diabetes. The Board are required by constitution to be members of the Association.
Sincere appreciation must be extended to our Board who volunteer their time each month and give of their vast knowledge and experience to govern our Association.
Peter Crouch
Member of the Board since 29 September 2011
President since 30 November 2015
Member of Corporate Governance Committee, Research Advisory Committee, Finance & Audit Committee, Building Development Committee and Advocacy & Communications Committee
Personal information
I retired from the South Australia Police as a Detective Inspector with 43 years of service. I am currently undertaking work on contract with the Federal Government on the National
Redress Scheme.
I have a Diploma in Management (Human Resources), a Graduate Certificate in Applied Management and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.
I have type 2 diabetes, which is prevalent in the adults of my family and as such have a keen interest in assisting people with diabetes management. I am enthusiastic about helping South Australians affected by diabetes.
Gary Neave
Member of the Board since 24 September 2019
Vice President since 23 February 2021
Chair of Building Development Committee
Personal information
Living with, and sharing the life challenges of my partner, who had type 1 diabetes is one of the primary motivators driving my membership of the Diabetes SA Board.
Respected as a business leader and project delivery specialist over a long and diverse career in project and business governance, recent work with Uniting Communities, leading the client-side team in the delivery of their U City project and working with the NSHC Board (community housing provider) has given me strong and clear insights as to the challenges faced by those living with disadvantage and/or disability, and the opportunities to leverage broader industry insights to support the businesses that support them.
I bring strong business acumen, having led infrastructure projects of capital value exceeding $400m, managed national business units for tier one professional services consultancy and more recently managed the transition of a successful Adelaide based project delivery consultancy to become the local office for TSA, the largest project management and advisory service in the region.
I have a real passion, and strong empathy for those that rely on the not-for-profit sector, and bring significant relationships across government, and industry, in support of my Board role with Diabetes SA.
Lynn Bonython
Member of the Board since 27 October 2020
Vice President since 22 November 2022
Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee
Chair of Research Advisory Committee
Personal information
My partner had type 1 diabetes for 51 years. As his carer, living in a non-metropolitan area, I experienced the ups and downs of living with the complexities of diabetes. Managing diabetes then was like trying to slice mushrooms with a spade; the tools and techniques for the job were far from refined. I have seen how advances in knowledge and treatment of diabetes improved the quality and length of our life together, so I have a strong drive to support ongoing research into the management and prevention of diabetes.
My experiences have led to a passion for helping others who are in the same situation both the people with diabetes and those who love and care for them. I bring this passion to the Board of Diabetes SA, along with the planning, analytical and people skills developed over 40 years as an educator.
Linzi Carr
Appointed to the Board 26 October 2023
Chair of Finance & Audit Committee
Member of the Corporate Governance Committee
Member of Building Development Committee
Personal information
I am delighted to be newly appointed to the Board of Diabetes SA. Having experienced high blood sugar levels in my first pregnancy and being diagnosed with gestational diabetes in my second pregnancy, I experienced first-hand the valuable support of Diabetes SA in assisting me in managing my diagnosis.
Having undertaken my honours degree in health sciences and nutrition, I have a strong interest in health and wellbeing, and understanding the role that education and awareness, strong role models, and research can play in assisting individuals to manage and live with health-related matters associated with diabetes, as well as in the prevention of type 2 and gestational diabetes.
In my professional role, originally in the UK and more latterly in Australia, I use my skillset as a chartered accountant and registered company auditor to work with a range of businesses. I communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, working collaboratively to assist clients with business issues, and have a strong focus on developing individuals and teams. I am a graduate of the Institute of Company Directors Company Directors Course.
I am looking forward to bringing my business skills and experience to bear in working with the Board and management of Diabetes SA, as the organisation embarks on the next phase in delivering our vision and mission.
David Scotland
Appointed to the Board 22 November 2022
Chair of Advocacy & Communications Committee
Member of Finance & Audit Committee
Personal information
Having lived with type 1 diabetes since the age of 26, I have a strong affinity with the Association’s objectives and a personal understanding of the importance of diabetes education, awareness and research.
My professional background is in politics, public policy and government relations at a State and Federal level and I have worked for South Australian Ministers, Shadow Ministers and Members of Parliament.
I have extensive private sector and NGO experience with a demonstrated record of major public policy and advocacy outcomes across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. In addition, I have served on Federal and State political and industry policy committees.
I own and operate Outcome Advisory, a government relations and strategic advisory consultancy providing services to a diverse range of corporate and NGO clients.
I hold Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Politics) degrees from the University of Adelaide, am a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and a Justice of the Peace in South Australia.
I view Board membership as an opportunity to reciprocate the support that Diabetes SA has given to me and to lend my expertise to the Association’s advocacy, communications and fundraising efforts.
Claire Dollard
Appointed to the Board 26 October 2023
Member of Advocacy & Communications Committee
Personal information
I am a marketing and communications professional with nearly 20 years’ experience in developing strategic marketing and fundraising campaigns that deliver results.
With extensive marketing and communications experience across a range of sectors I have worked in London, Sydney and Adelaide. An innovative and strategic thinker I have been able to identify new opportunities and resolve organisational challenges. With an analytical mindset I have been able to build on existing organisational knowledge, data and research to be able to take an idea from concept through to development, implementation and evaluation.
Bringing people together with a united vision is a challenge that I enjoy and thrive on. My approach is collaborative yet target focused, gaining results by providing practical steps that help organisations achieve their goals.
I am passionate about making a positive contribution in the community and enjoy working with organisations whose work puts the needs of their customers/clients at the centre of their operations.
I hold a Masters in Communications Management with the University of South Australia.
Rajanbir Singh
Appointed to the Board 26 October 2023
Member of Finance & Audit Committee
Member of Building Development Committee
Personal information
I am an experienced leader with over 10 years of experience across management, strategy, finance, procurement and stakeholder engagement across telecommunications, disability services and hospitality sectors with expertise in financial & commercial management and organisational governance. Having worked for Telstra and a large disability services provider across management roles, I have extensive experience in both profit and not for profit sectors. I hold board and advisory appointments relating to community care in the private and public sectors and have previously been a director and owner of a restaurant and a private advertising/ marketing business.
I hold a Master of Business Administration (Human Resources Management) from the University of South Australia and an Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design & Multimedia and are a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
I am drawn to Diabetes SA for the organisation’s values-based approach, and the genuine care that everyone has for its mission. Diabetes SA is continually striving to improve and positively impact the lives of people living with diabetes and I am proud to be a part of the mission.
Leanne Babic
Appointed to the Board 26 October 2023
Deputy Chair of Research Advisory Committee
Personal information
I am current CEO of a NFP Aged Care provider in Sydney. I have over 15 years of experience as a senior manager in Commonwealth, Not-for-profit and Corporate Health, disability and aged care sectors. My favourite position was at Next Sense as the lead researcher of Clinical Trials and studies across NSW and the ACT. I am South Australian born and raised.
I have a degree in Speech Pathology from Flinders University and Master’s in Philosophy in Audiology. In addition, I have a post graduate diploma in Management and diploma in leadership and management. I am a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
We all know someone with diabetes or who is at risk of developing diabetes whether this be a friend, family, work colleague or neighbour. I am passionate about prevention and research to reduce the incidence and prevalence of diabetes in the South Australian community and supporting South Australians living with diabetes.
Christian Wickham
Appointed to the Board 26 October 2023
Member of Building Development Committee
Personal information
I have 32 years of experience in the IT industry, where I lead teams that implement and support IT systems and services such as cloud, datacentre infrastructure, Cybersecurity and Microsoft enterprise IT systems. I recently completed a Cybersecurity course from Harvard University. I have an Executive Masters in Business Administration, a Diploma in Change Management, qualifications in Enterprise Architecture, IT Governance (Cobit 2019), and IT Service Delivery (ITIL). With over 25 years of experience in senior leadership and executive positions, I bring my skills in governance, risk, strategy, and leadership to Diabetes SA.
I currently volunteer at MACASA (Maltese Aged Care Assoc. SA) as the Chair of the Board, and I am very proud to be selected to serve on the board of Diabetes SA. This is the third Board that I have served on, having offered my services to two not-for-profit organisations, including acting as the Chairperson for MACASA’s board.
My professional career of 32 years has always been in IT, in a senior leadership level for over 25 years, and as a consultant for 10 years. This has given me a broad and varied exposure to many businesses and organisation types, allowing me to provide strategy and governance to allow companies to grow, become more efficient and effective, and to improve both staff and customer satisfaction.
As both my parents have type 2 diabetes, I am critically aware of my own risk of developing the condition, and I am passionate about taking action to reduce my own risk factors, and to spread the word to others so that we can work together as a society to lower the prevalence of this chronic condition.
A Special Thank You
To our Women’s Auxiliary 1961 – 2010
For almost 50 years, an extraordinary group of women were responsible for raising much needed funds for our organisation by holding regular fundraising stalls and film mornings.
By the mid 1980’s the Auxiliary provided most of the volunteers for badge days, lotteries, annual Diabetes Week and the mailing of our newsletter.
In 1987 the Women’s Auxiliary launched a cookbook for people with diabetes, called ‘Easy Diabetic Recipes’. The Auxiliary collected dozens of recipes and with the help of our dietitian determined which were most suitable. Once the recipes were printed the Auxiliary sorted and bound the printed pages into a book.
The book sold out in its first week, a further 500 copies were ordered, followed by 1,000 more. By the end of February 1988 a total of 2,000 copies of the book had been distributed and another 500 were in print.
In recognition of the work the Auxiliary had undertaken in previous years, the cookbook was reviewed and recipes represented in 2015. Many of the recipes were lovingly trialled and tested – many of the originals remain, with a selection of new recipes added.
It is fitting that the organisation recognises the work of the Auxiliary, not only for their fundraising efforts over five decades but also their support, especially during the 1970’s when our organisation was facing increased costs and dwindling funds.
It is with sincere thanks that the Board and Staff acknowledge the long term commitment and work undertaken by the Auxiliary during the period of 1961 to 2010.
Without your dedication and perseverance, we would not be the organisation we are today.