Our Governance

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is an Australian Company Limited by Guarantee, and a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC). View our Annual Reports.

It has a governing Board that meets four times a year, and its Board members are either appointed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) or elected by its members. The Board may also appoint experts to sit on the Board in a non-voting capacity.

OUR CONSTITUTION

OUR APPROACH

OUR POLICIES

Meet our Board

Lori-Anne Sharp – Chairperson

Lori-Anne has been the Federal Assistant Secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwives Federation (ANMF) since 2018. With over 22 years as a registered nurse, she spent much of her career in district nursing and coordinating the RDNS Homeless Persons Program. Starting as an ANMF Job Representative in 2001, Lori-Anne served on the Victorian Branch Council from 2004 to 2018, holding roles including Branch Executive and Vice President, where she helped negotiate EBAs and support nurse-to-patient ratios.

Michele O’Neil – Vice Chairperson

Michele O’Neil, President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), has long championed the rights of low-paid workers, women, migrants, and asylum seekers. Before her election as ACTU President, she was Vice President of the CFMEU and National Secretary of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA), representing workers in the industry for 28 years. Michele led campaigns for world-leading worker rights across clothing supply chains, improving pay and conditions for some of Australia’s most exploited workers. She co-founded the Fairwear Campaign and is Secretary of Ethical Clothing Australia.

Mark Lennon – Honorary Treasurer

Mark Lennon has been a leading figure in the NSW union movement for the past twenty years. He was Secretary of Unions NSW between 2008-2015 and previously held several positions including Assistant Secretary, Training Officer, Industrial Officer and Executive Officer. Mark is a Director of StatePlus as well as serving on other financial institutions, insurance and superannuation funds. Mark has degrees in Commerce and Law from the University of NSW. Mark was a member of the WorkCover NSW Board and served as President of the Australian Labor Party NSW Branch from 2014-2020.

Danae Bosler – Honorary Secretary

Danae Bosler is a lifelong union member who joined Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA ten years ago. She participated in a Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA study tour to Timor Leste and returned two years later as part of the Working Women’s Conference. Danae is a member of the Australian Services Union (ASU) and the Media Entertainment Arts Alliance (MEAA) journalist’s division. Danae is currently Assistant Secretary (Appointed) at Victorian Trades Hall Council. She has served as a councillor on the Yarra City Council, and as its mayor.

Michelle Robertson – Board Member

Michelle Robertson, an active union member for 37 years and an official for 30, has dedicated her career to dignity, respect, and human rights in the social and community service sector. Starting as a Women’s Rights Organiser in 1982, she now serves as an Industrial Officer at the Australian Services Union (ASU). A Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA member since 2011, Michelle helped revive the Brisbane Activists Group in 2012, raising over $50,000, and her experience on a study tour to the Thai-Myanmar border further fuelled her commitment.

Michael Wright – Board Member

Michael Wright is the National Assistant Secretary and Legal Officer for the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) of Australia. He has collaborated with Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA on asbestos campaigns in Southeast Asia and led ETU’s technical assistance efforts in Fiji. Previously, he worked with a human rights NGO in Uganda, supporting activists across East Africa. Michael holds degrees in Law, International Studies, and a Master’s in Peace and Conflict Studies.

Jo-anne Schofield - Board Member

Jo-anne Schofield is the National President at the United Workers Union (UWU) since 2019. Jo is a committed social justice advocate and trade unionist with over 30 years’ experience working with trade unions, not-for-profit, and public sector organisations.

Nicole Calnan – Board Member

Nicole Calnan is the Deputy Federal Secretary of the Australian Education Union (AEU). Before being elected to work full time for the union, Nicole taught in public primary schools in regional NSW. She served as an Officer of the NSW Teachers Federation (NSWTF) from 2005-2020 working in the roles of Organiser, Membership and Training Officer and Deputy Secretary (Communications and Administration). She took up her current role with the AEU in 2020.

Dr Linda Kelly – Appointed Expert

Dr. Linda Kelly has over 30 years of experience in international development with NGOs, DFAT, universities, UN agencies, and regional organizations in the Pacific and Asia. Currently a Director of Praxis Consultants and Adjunct Associate Professor at La Trobe University, she specializes in evaluation and program design for large, complex programs. A strong advocate for gender equality, disability, social inclusion, and locally led development, Linda has published widely and presented at industry conferences.

Annual Reports

Our Annual Reports highlight our solidarity in supporting workers and communities to build their collective power and defend their rights. You can read 42 partner unions and organisations in 14 countries across Southeast Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Southern Africa and the projects and campaigns we undertake.

Do Global Justice. The Union Way.

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