VERTO is a community owned not for profit organisation
Andrew Abel
President
Andrew is a fully qualified accountant and adviser, having worked in commerce for more than 20 years. During his career he has worked as a commercial accountant for a number of large blue-chip multinationals and Australian operations. In 2001 Andrew joined Central West Community College (VERTO) as the Senior Finance Executive.
Drawing on his commercial experience, Andrew runs his own consultancy business, working with professional advice firms towards sustainable practice growth. In addition to his role on the VERTO Board, Andrews holds a number of other directorships. Andrew has both a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Commerce, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants.
Andrew joined the VERTO Board in 2013 and is currently the President of the Board of Directors.
Larry Anderson
Vice President
Larry has extensive management and business experience with tertiary qualifications in training, engineering, and human resources as well as business and financial management. Larry is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has over 25 years Board experience covering a wide range of businesses.
Larry has been a member of the Board of VERTO since 2002. He was elected Secretary in 2005, Treasurer in 2007 and Chairman in 2013.
David Weekes
Treasurer
David Weekes is a Chartered Accountant with post graduate qualifications in business and taxation law. David has been the principal of a Bathurst based accounting firm for over 27 years. He has extensive financial management experience in many industries including the tertiary sector, hospitality and welfare. David is actively involved in the community in various capacities, both socially and professionally and has held a number of Not-for-Profit, Professional and Sporting Association Board positions during that time. David joined the Board of Directors in February, 2011 and was appointed Treasurer shortly thereafter.
David Pennells
Secretary
David Pennells has a long and successful business background, being the principal/owner of Inland Building and Construction which employs a workforce of 20 permanent staff. Prior to this he was the licensee/owner of LJ Hooker, Bathurst for approximately four years. David is community minded, having 35 plus years with Fire and Rescue NSW and has been serving as Deputy Captain for 12 years. He is a past member of Rotary and a past Board member of ASBA. David is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has been a member of the VERTO Board of Directors since 2013.
Andrew Boog
Director
Andrew Boog is the Managing Partner of Austen Brown Boog, solicitors, first established in Broken Hill in 1888 and in Dubbo in 1995. He holds degrees in Economics, Law, Business Administration and Arts (Philosophy and Theology).
His qualifications include those of Solicitor and Accountant and he is an accredited Business Law Specialist, a Registered Tax Agent, a Notary Public, a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and a nationally accredited mediator.
Andrew is a Fellow of each of CPA Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD) as well as being a Chartered Tax Adviser with the Tax Institute of Australia and a Fellow and Chartered Manager with the Institute of Managers and Leaders. He has experience on over 50 boards, including in executive positions, for organisations covering a wide range of activities.
Andrew was elected to the Board of Directors in 2014.
Dr Therese Jones
Director
Thérèse Jones has qualifications in biomedical science, with post graduate qualifications in education and health social science, a Master’s in Public Health and a PhD in Health Behavioural Science. Thérèse has experience in the education sector including establishing and supervising traineeships, and teaching at TAFE and university. She has extensive experience in many facets of health.
Thérèse held a number of senior management roles during her working career, with her last role being the Director of Population Health for Western NSW and Far West Local Health Districts. She has a strong interest in working with communities, especially our Aboriginal communities, and service partners to improve social wellbeing and reduce disadvantage.
Thérèse is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Thérèse was elected to the Board of Directors in 2016.
Dr Melanie Boursnell
Director
Dr Boursnell (PhD, MSocHlth, PgDPH, BA) is an experienced senior executive and transformative chief learning officer within NSW Government. She is experienced in the design and development of professional education, culture change, leadership and management development, facilitation, quality improvement, governance and research. She has undertaken significant work to enable teams to thrive, introduced new educational practices and technologies enabling equity in learning, and reviewed educational and business practices to improve the delivery of education in both tertiary and vocational sectors. She thrives within complex environments undergoing rapid change focused on supporting flourishing communities. Dr Boursnell describes herself as a ‘generalist’ with a passion for learning and development as her core belief is that education can fundamentally change the lives of everyone!
