Our people

Nominated by Down Syndrome Australia

Grant is married (Tammy) and they have two children. Their daughter Alishia has Down syndrome and is 24 years of age.  Grant is a strong advocate for people with intellectual disability – promoting inclusion in all things.

Grant has been a Director of Down Syndrom Australia since 2011 and is currently the Deputy Chair of Down Syndrome Australia.  He was President of Down Syndrome Australia (NT) for thirteen years. 

Grant has been on the Board of Carpentaria Disability Services since 2005, and is currently the Deputy President of Carpentaria Disability Services.  He is also the Past President of the Rotary Club of Darwin, and is currently the International Service, National Projects and Rotary Foundation Director.  Grant is a Director and Senior Consultant of Creative TEAMS, as well as a Director of Living Edge Enterprise P/L. 

Nominated by Disability Justice  Australia

Trevor is passionate about protecting and enhancing the human rights of people with disabilities.

Trevor acquired an incomplete spinal cord injury in the mid 1990’s and has since acquired bi-lateral sensori-neural hearing loss and Meniere’s disease.

Trevor is the CEO at Disability Justice Australia (DJA) and he represents AFDO as an elected Director and Information Officer on the Board of Disabled Peoples International (DPI), as the Chair of the DPI Asia-Pacific Region, member of the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF), member of the Australian Electoral Commission Disability Advisory Committee; and on the Executive of the Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC).

Trevor wears many other hats including:

• Secretary and a founding member of the Friends of South Morang.
• Director on the Board of Social Security Rights Victoria
• Australia Day Ambassador
• Trustee of an ASIC regulated superannuation fund
• Co-chair of the Victoria Police Disability Portfolio Reference Group.
• Volunteer mentor with the Australian Quadriplegics Association; and a
• Regular member of the judging panel for the annual Victorian Disability Awards.

Nominated by Deafness Forum of Australia

Christine is President of Hearing Matters Australia (HMA), a volunteer-based hearing support organisation for people with hearing loss, and she represents Deafness Forum on the AFDO Board. Christine has lived with hearing loss since early childhood but following intervention was able to train and work as a secondary school educator for 22 years, before retiring in 2012.

In her role as HMA President, Christine actively promotes the twin missions of Hearing Matters Australia & Deafness Forum through advocacy, advice and support to members and others who seek assistance to best manage hearing loss. Her advocacy activities have included representations to Australian federal & state government agencies and active participation on the Transport for NSW Accessible Transport Committee (ATAC). Her objective in these forums is to have hearing health recognised as a priority health issue and to promote equitable access for people with hearing loss. Her involvement is focused on drawing attention to the many hearing loss issues and barriers confronting those attempting to access services.

Christine also collaborates globally with hearing industry professionals, academics & consumer representatives with the aim of strengthening the quality of hearing care and promoting an international hearing care model focused on the needs of the individual.

Nominated by Brain Injury Australia

Nick has been Executive Officer of Brain Injury Australia since 2008. He was also President of the Brain Injury Association of New South Wales between 2004 and 2008.

In 1996, Nick sustained a severe traumatic brain injury as a result of a bicycle accident. Before joining Brain Injury Australia, Nick worked for the Northern Territory Government setting up their new Office of Disability.

Formerly a producer with the Nine Television Network’s “Sunday” program and ABC Radio National, Nick’s journalism has won a number of awards, including a Silver World Medal at the New York Festival, a National Press Club and TV Week Logie Award.

Nominated by Deaf Australia

Debbie is an Auslan user and was nominated to the AFDO Board by Deaf Australia.

Debbie previously served on the boards of Deaf Australia and Deaf Community and Sports SA. She is currently studying for a Bachelor in Special Education (Early Childhood)/Disability Studies at Flinders University.

Debbie was born Deaf into a Deaf family which includes both parents being deaf. She primarily uses Auslan (Australian Sign Language), the language of the Deaf community in Australia.

Debbie currently represents AFDO on the Aviation Access Forum (AAF) and has worked on multiple national projects developing guidelines, resources, and training for stakeholders of the Deaf community. Debbie also has an interest in raising disability issues including the promotion of the Australian Deaf community.

Richard is an Independent Director co-opted to the Board for his governance and leadership expertise.  Richard also has lived experience of disability.

Richard was appointed by the Board for his governance expertise. Richard is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has been active in the disability field for more than 25 years. He contributed to the leadership of the NDIS campaign, and he has held CEO, Executive and Board member roles within UnitingCare, the E W Tipping Foundation, National Disability Services, and multiple other organisations.

Richard has been active in Australia’s civic life for more than two decades, most recently as Leadership Victoria’s Chief Executive Officer. He is a specialist international consultant in leadership, strategy and NFP governance and has advised governments and contributed to public policy through VCOSS and other peak bodies. Richard’s contributions have included making progress on economic wellbeing, fostering social fairness, maintaining a sustainable environment and upholding human rights, with a particular focus on rights of people with a disability.