As a not-for-profit, MannaCare operates fundamentally with the involvement of people who are passionate about providing the best outcomes for older people and the greater community in general.
Our Board members work pro bono, and, of course, so do the many other volunteers who enable our work to continue.
Our staff members are paid — and certainly deserve their incomes! Yet we find they tend to be compassionate beyond their role, and holistic in their view of the people they help, drawn by MannaCare altruistic philosophies.
Along with our strong values, we have close community connections. This helps our residents and clients — and their families — to keep in touch with their ‘old lives’ as much as possible. Our experience has shown us that people’s connection with their family, friends and community, is vital to their mental and social wellbeing.
What sets MannaCare apart at every level is the involvement of volunteers. These people generously give of their time and skills in host of ways. Without them, we couldn’t function as we do. We are always grateful for their selflessness and the additional connection with the Manningham community that they bring.
MannaCare is a not-for-profit organisation, and all our Board of Governance members donate their services pro bono. Looking at their skills, professionalism and experience, we consider ourselves fortunate they believe strongly in giving back to the Manningham community — and value MannaCare as their way to do so.
CHAIRMAN
John Bennie PSM
John has been a Director since 2016 and was elected Chairman in 2021. He is also Chair of the People and Governance Committee and a member of all other Board sub-committees.
John retired from full time employment in November 2022 after 48 years in local government – the last 22 of which included 16 years as CEO at Greater Dandenong City Council and 6 years as CEO at Manningham City Council. John also serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Chisholm Institute and is Co-President of Rotary Manningham City.
He has previously been the State and National President of Local Government Sector Associations; Chair of Regional Development Australia Southern Melbourne; and a Non-Executive Director of MAV Insurance. He is a Paul Harris Fellow and holds tertiary and post graduate qualifications in Civil Engineering, Municipal Engineering and Business Administration.
He was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2014 for outstanding public service in the pursuit of excellence in Local Government management.
DEPUTY CHAIR
Nusia Krolikowski
Nusia has been a director since 2014 and was elected Deputy Chair in 2021. She is Chair of the Operational Risk Committee and a member of the People and Governance and Promotion Advisory Committees.
She has been a resident of Manningham for 37 years.
She is a Registered Nurse and an experienced executive with 20 years in senior management positions in the aged care industry.
She is a past Director of the Manningham Youth and Family Services and was a committee member of the Doncaster Netball Club for many years, including 8 years as President.
TREASURER
John Shaw
John has been a Director since 2014 and is Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee and a member of the People and Governance and Business Strategy Committees.
He has been a resident of Manningham for 50 years.
John has had extensive executive experience in both the public and private sectors including the South Australian Government’s Economic Development Authority and CSIRO Minerals. He has also been a Non Executive Director of a number of companies, including Kambrook, McEwans and the Warrandyte Branch of the Bendigo Bank. He holds a Masters of Applied Science degree and is a member of CPA Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
He is currently Treasurer of the Doncaster Tennis Club and a member and former director of the Rotary Club of Melbourne.
He was awarded CSIRO Medals for Business Excellence in 2006 and 2008.
Ray Barrington
Ray has been a Director since 2012 and is Chair of the Promotion Advisory Committee and a member of the People and Governance, Operational Risk and Business Strategy Committees.
He has lived in the local district for 51 years.
Ray has a background in retail and ran their local family business for over 20 years. He was President of the Jackson Court Traders Association for 10 years and has been involved with a number of various clubs and organisations in the district.
He was instrumental in bringing the community banks to Manningham and has been a Director of the Doncaster East and Templestowe Village branches of the Bendigo Community Bank for the past 17 years.
Peter Fuller
Peter has been a Director since 2017 and is a member of the Finance & Audit and Operational Risk Committees.
He has been a resident of Manningham for over 20 years.
Peter is a retired experienced business executive having spent over 37 years with Tier 1 vendors in the ITC industry. For the past 15 years Peter held executive management roles with Sun Microsystems, Oracle and Micro Focus. Peter still stays involved in the Technology community doing Board and Advisory work with the likes of new technology startups, which is where his passion and interests lie.
He has previously been a Commissioned Army Officer with 1 Parachute Battalion and 44 Parachute Brigade in South Africa.
Selina Leung
Selina has been a Director since 2019 and is a member of the Finance and Audit, Promotion Advisory and Operational Risk Committees.
She has been a resident of Manningham for 30 years.
Selina has worked in the banking industry for over 30 years and has had significant experience in project management and solution delivery in large corporate environments. She holds a BCom from Melbourne University, has Graduate Dipolmas in Computer and in Finance and Investment from Latrobe University and the Securities Institute of Australia respectively and has an Advanced Diploma in Project Management from the University of New England.
She is currently the President of the Chinese Senior Citizens Club of Manningham Inc. and a member of the Manningham Positive Ageing Alliance Group.
Selina received a Menzies Community Australia Day Award in 2019 for valued contribution to local community.
John Pappas
John Pappas joined the Board of MannaCare in 2021. He is an experienced executive, Director and business owner with over 25 years of corporate experience. With sound business acumen and a strategic mindset he is committed to maintaining high professional standards and work ethic.
His foundational career was within the Banking and Investment Banking arena and M&A experience in various sectors across the globe. John has gained a reputation for excellence as a trusted advisor to his all key stakeholders. A graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, he holds a Master Degree of Applied Finance.
John is a strong advocate for community and not-for-profit organisations and he has been a resident of Manningham for more than 30 years.
Thilaka Satha
Thilaka has been a Director since 2019. She is the Chair of the Business Strategy Committee and a member of the Operational Risk Committee.
She is senior manager at the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions and has had over 15 years of experience in the Strategy, Policy and Corporate Governance area. She has been involved in a number legislative, policy and regulatory changes in the health sector and is currently a Board member on the Victorian Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. She has a legal background and has also worked overseas in the industrial tribunal in areas of employment relations.
Thilaka holds a Master of International Business degree from Monash University.
Helen Woods
Helen joined the Board of MannaCare in September 2023, and is a member of the Operational Risk Committee.
Helen has a bachelor’s degree in nursing with over 17 years’ experience in the aged care industry working for one of Australia’s largest aged care providers. During this time, Helen held senior positions in a variety of operational, quality and clinical governance roles. She was responsible for monitoring risk, maintaining compliance with the Standards, responding to regulators and ensuring clinical best practice was reflected across organisational policies and procedures. She is currently the Residential Solutions Engineer at AlayaCare, an organisation providing community, disability and aged care software.
She brings a passion and understanding of this complex industry, including the legislative requirements and challenges faced by aged care providers, Managers, and workforce across every level of the business and strives to achieve better care outcomes for residents.
Association members elect up to 10 Directors to the Board. MannaCare has a rotation policy for Directors to encourage fresh thinking and to spread responsibility.
If you are interested in sharing your skills, please contact us.
Our Directors all have strong connections with Manningham, which reinforces our community ties at a deeper level.
The MannaCare executive team is very skilled and caring.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Sandy Perri
Sandy is an accomplished and results-driven leader with “Big 4” credentials and 20+ years of experience building and leading finance and commercial teams across multiple sectors and reporting jurisdictions.
He is recognised as a highly effective collaborator and trusted adviser who guides cross-functional teams to achieve business, financial and transformation objectives. He is a forward-thinking strategist, negotiator and stakeholder manager.
GENERAL MANAGER GOVERNANCE AND RISK
Romi Mathieson
Romi is a passionate an experienced Registered Nurse and aged care leader with extensive experience in clinical governance, aged care quality systems and risk management with over 20 years’ experience across acute and aged care in residential and community care settings.
She is a committed advocate to ensure the care and service delivery meets individual choices and expectations, and is excited to be a part of the MannaCare team.
PEOPLE AND CULTURE MANAGER
Zac Thomas
Zac is an HR professional with experience spanning across many large aged care providers and retail organisations. He brings extensive experience in implementing HR systems and in creating systematic people practices that enable operational excellence.
Zac is passionate about all things people, a collaborative and inclusive leader, with demonstrated experience in building high performance teams and cultures through operational accountability and innovative practices. Zac believes in transforming organisational culture through great leaders and great people practices.