RSL NSW Board of Directors
The strategy, performance, corporate governance and risk appetite of RSL NSW are the responsibility, and are managed under the direction of, the Board of Directors of RSL NSW. The Board comprises a maximum of ten non-executive Directors of which at least one but not more than two must be Independent Directors appointed by the Board (Independent Directors) and the remainder of which are to be elected by Service Members in accordance with the RSL NSW Constitution (Elected Directors).
Meet the Board
Relevant Qualifications
LLB, BComm, GDLP, GAICD
Term of Office
Date first elected/appointed: October 2023
Date current term ends: October 2026
Mick Bainbridge served in the Army as a Commando in the Special Forces. He was deployed to Afghanistan and East Timor. Mick is a director and solicitor of a veteran-owned and operated law firm. He has completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP), and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.
Mick has been a member of RSL NSW for seven years and is an advocate for issues impacting veterans and families and is committed to being a voice for RSL NSW members.
Relevant Qualifications
FAICD, BA (Hons), LLB (Hons), GDLS
Term of Office
Date first elected/appointed: 11 June 2019
Date last re-elected: 11 June 2022
Date current term ends: 11 June 2025
Associated Entities
RSL LifeCare (JWG)
Sophie Ray has been the Chair of the RSL NSW Board since 2021. She is a Non-Executive Director, business owner, and former lawyer.
Sophie is currently Chair of Peak Care Equipment, and ROCC for Women. Previously she was Chair of NAWO (National Association of Women in Operations) and a Non-Executive Director of GO2 People (ASX: GO2), Settlement Services International and Big Fat Smile Group. She spent 14 years as a corporate lawyer at PwC in Sydney and London, and is also a Director of her family's business on the NSW South Coast.
Relevant Qualifications
OAM, MBBS, FRACS, FA Orth A, AFRACMA A/FACAsM, JP
Term of Office
Date first elected/appointed: October 2023
Date current term ends: October 2026
Dr Charles New has more than three decades of military service, including service in education in the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as multiple deployments operationally. He has had the privilege of holding senior leadership positions including Surgeon General ADF Reserve, as well as contributing to the education and development of deployable health capability.
As an Orthopaedic Surgeon, Charles has supported the veterans' health community with medical review of veterans prior to DVA applications and consultative opinions provided to the VRB and DVA.
Charles is a patron of the RAAMC Association, Australian Vietnam Veterans’, and Peacekeepers Association, and has served for more than a decade as a General Director and Treasurer on the Australian Orthopaedic Association Board. His experience in medical ethics has led him to become an advisor on NSW Health Committees for health governance.
Relevant Qualifications
GAICD, Associate Diploma in Public Sector Management
Term of Office
Date first elected/appointed: 7 December 2020
Date last re-elected: October 2023
Date current term ends: October 2026
As an Ex-RAAF Loadmaster, David McCann was recognised with the OAM (Mil) in 1990 after flying Iroquois and Squirrel helicopters and eventually took on instructional and development roles after returning from deployment with the Multi-National Force & Observers in the Sinai.
As a member of No. 5 Squadron, David was active in the development and implementation of the first Rotary Wing NVG and CT Tactics in the RAAF. He was commissioned in 1989 and left the Royal Australian Air Force in 1994. He joined the NSW Police Force and was seconded to the Australian Federal Police for a tour of East Timor in 2003, when he was recognised with a Commendation for Brave Conduct and AFP Bravery Medal.
David has also been awarded the Royal Life Saving Society Australia Bravery Cross and the National Police Service Medal.
David was elected as a Councillor of the Coolamon Shire Council in 2008 and represents the Council as the Deputy Chairman of Goldenfileds Water County Council. He is a member of the Council’s Audit and Risk Committee, Local Emergency Management, and the General Manager Review Committee.
David is an operational member of the Rural Fire Service, Secretary of the Coolamon Lions Club, and the Local History Group and was awarded an OAM in 2019 for services to veterans and the wider community of Coolamon.
David has been a member of RSL NSW since 1987 and a member of the Coolamon sub-Branch for 20 years.
Relevant qualifications
Jason holds a Master of Finance from the University of New South Wales, a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney, a Diploma of Financial Services from the Financial Planning Association and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Term of office
Date first elected/appointed: August 2021
Date last re-elected: October 2023
Date current term ends: October 2026
Jason is a member of RSL NSW at the Mosman sub-Branch. He served with the Australian Ready Reserve from 1995 to 1998 as an infantry soldier, with postings to the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and 2/17 Royal New South Wales Regiment.
Jason has over two decades of experience in the superannuation and investment management industry. He is currently General Manager of Investments at State Super and was previously the Chief Investment Officer of the Crescent Wealth Super fund. Prior to this he held senior investment and leadership roles within the MLC Asset Management business over a tenure of 18 years.
Relevant qualifications
GradDipARMCG, GDipMilLaw, GradDipACG, LL.M (Applied Law) majoring in In-house Practice, LL.M (Legal Practice), LL.B (Hons), FAICD, FGIA FCG (CS, CGP)
Louise is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA), the Chartered Governance Institute (FCG) and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD), and holds an unrestricted practicing certificate with the Law Society of New South Wales.
She is also a member of Chief Executive Women (CEW).
Term of office
Date first elected/appointed: August 2021
Date last re-elected: October 2023
Date current term ends: October 2026
Louise Sullivan is a member of RSL NSW and graduate of The Royal Military College, Duntroon (GSO Reserve – 2006) and served for 13 years in both the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police and Australian Army Legal Corps obtaining the rank of Captain.
Louise has over 22 years of experience as a business adviser, leader, Board Chair and Director with broad management skills leading diverse teams in professional (legal), heavy industry, sporting and military environments. A qualified lawyer, risk and governance professional, Louise currently works as an Executive Director (Chief Operating Officer) of a leading independent construction materials business.
Since 2015, Louise has been a Director, and for the past 5 years the President (and Chairperson) of Netball NSW, one of Australia’s largest state sporting bodies supporting the highest participation team sport for women and girls in both NSW and across the country. Through that voluntary position Louise also served as Chair of the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball Clubs playing in the largest professional women’s sports league in Australia.
Louise is also an elected Councillor of Sutherland Shire Council and a Director of The Pavilon: Performing Arts Centre Sutherland Limited.
Relevant Qualifications
MAICD, BA, LLB, GDLP, DipPolPrac
Term of Office
Date first elected/appointed: October 2023
Date current term ends: October 2026
Paul-Raymond James is the Principal/Director of a veteran-owned law firm that provides legal services for individuals, businesses, and charities across Australia and internationally. Paul is a registered lobbyist with the NSW Government and the Commonwealth, and has been involved in representing veterans in matters, including the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Paul was a Sergeant in the NSW Police Force from 2002 to 2021, and a Branch Official and Delegate with the Police Association of New South Wales.
Paul served in the Army Reserves from 1997 until 2021. He served in Armoured Corps with 1st/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers, as a Rifleman (Infantry) with Sydney University Regiment and spent most of his career in the Military Police with 2nd MP Coy and Charlie Company 1st Military Police Battalion. Paul served on OP RESOLUTE (Border Protection) in 2009/10 and OP ASTUTE (Timor Leste) in 2012/13.
Paul joined RSL NSW in 2008 and is a fourth-generation member of the League. He is a member of the Ingleburn RSL sub-Branch.
Relevant Qualifications
GAICD, MRM, BComm, CPA
Term of Office
Date first elected/appointed: September 2017
Date last re-elected: October 2023
Date current term ends: September 2026
Associated Entities
ANZAC House Trust
Phillip Chin is a member of the Combined Services RSL sub-Branch. He joined the League as a member of the Taxation sub-Branch in 2013 and served on its executive committee until it was wound up in 2018.
He was elected to be the RSL NSW State Treasurer in 2017 and has worked with the Board to implement the RSL NSW Strategic Plan 2021-2026.
Phillip is a manager at Austrade responsible for administering the Export Market Development Grants Program and Overseas Tax-Exempt Project approvals. He has over 15 years of experience in the Australian Public Service working in various roles related to audit and compliance, policy implementation, risk management, process improvement, and information technology systems development.
Phillip has been a member of the Australian Army Reserve since 2007 and is currently posted to Headquarters Forces Command providing advice and assurance on the formation’s Non-Public Money Accounts. Prior to this, he was the NSW Detachment Commander for the Army Compliance and Assurance Unit, Finance Officer at Headquarters 8th Brigade, and provided contract management support to Operation COVID-19 Assist and Operation Bushfire Assist 2020.
Relevant Qualifications
Sarah holds a Masters of International Relations from Deakin University, and a Bachelor of History and Politics from UNSW.
Term of Office
Date first elected/appointed: October 2023
Date current term ends: October 2026
Sarah Watson is a veteran of the Australian Army, who served primarily as an Intelligence Officer from 1997-2015, including a seven-month deployment in Iraq. She is a member of the Yass RSL sub-Branch, and the inaugural Chair and member of the RSL NSW Young Veterans’ Committee.
Since her medical transition out of the Army in 2015, Sarah has been advocating for veterans and their families and raising awareness about the challenges they face as a result of their operational experiences and transition from the ADF. She speaks regularly at events with the ADF, Government agencies and schools, and volunteers as the contemporary veteran member of the Defence and Veteran Affairs Human Research Ethics Committee.
Sarah owns and runs a business offering health-related services and support. She has represented Australia at the 2022 and 2023 World Triathlon Championships, serves as President and Coach of the Yass Valley Triathlon Club, and is an Ambassador for Triathlon NSW.
Board Charter
The Board Charter sets out the role, structure and responsibilities of the Board. It also describes how the Board operates. Read the Board Charter.
The Board delegates certain responsibilities to committees, each governed by its own charter. You can find out more about the following committees below.
- Audit & Risk Committee
- AGM Agenda Committee
- Nominations & Performance Committee
- Selections Committee
- Veteran Services & Policy Committee
- Young Veterans Committee
- Election Review Committee
- Fundraising Committee
To contact any of the committees, please email or telephone the Support Unit at support@rslnsw.org.au or 1300 679 775 and mark for attention of the relevant committee.
The CAC assists the Board in considering agenda items, including motions from the Board, the District Presidents’ Council, District Councils and sub-Branches, for consideration at each year’s AGM.
Read the AGM Agenda Committee charter.
Members
- Mick Bainbridge (President and Chair)
- David McCann
- Charles New
- Sophie Ray
- Alan Barnes (DPC Representative)
The NPC assists the Board in:
- assessing nominees for appointment as Independent Directors or to fill casual vacancies;
- managing board development and training;
- overseeing succession planning for the role of the CEO and senior executives; and
- determining the remuneration and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of both the CEO and direct reports to the CEO.
Read the Nominations, Remuneration and Performance Committee Charter.
Members
- Paul James
- Sophie Ray
- Lousie Sullivan
The Selections Committee assists the Board in considering nominations for the following awards:
- Meritorious Service Medal for Life Members;
- Life membership for Service and Auxiliary Members;
- Certificate of Merit and Gold Badge for non-Service Members; and
- ANZAC of the Year.
Read the Selections Committee charter.
Members
- David McCann (Chair)
- Mick Bainbridge (President)
- Alan Barnes (District Council President)
- David Edmond
- Sandra Lambkin (Secretary)
- Ray James
The Veteran Services & Policy Committee assists the Board in monitoring and making recommendations about services for veterans and their families and to develop and review public policy positions and proposals.
The committee also reviews and monitors resolutions arising from Congress, to ensure they are actioned.
Read the Veteran Services and Policy Committee charter.
Members
- David McCann (Chair)
- Mick Bainbridge (President)
- Charles New
- Sarah Watson
- Bronte Pollard (External Member)
- David Anderson (External Member)
- Jonathan Tuckfield (External Member)
- Rod Bain (Invitee)
- Luke Rix (External Member)
The Young Veterans Committee was formed in late 2021 to directly advise the RSL NSW Board about matters impacting young veterans.
The group represents a cross-section of RSL NSW sub-Branches and Defence experience and works with fellow veterans and RSL NSW leadership to advance the priorities of younger veterans.
Read the Young Veterans Committee charter.
Members
- Kane Hall (Chair)
- Steve Rana
- John Hopwood
- Aaron Rooke
- Jye Martyn
- Georgia McClymont
- Amanda Curby (Secretary)
- Sophie Ray
- Sarah Watson
- Phillip Chin
- Mick Bainbridge (President)
The Fundraising Committee was formed in 2023 to advise the RSL NSW Board about alternative income streams to assist with the operational expenditure for ANZAC House and to further raise funds for Veteran services.
Read the Fundraising Committee Charter.
Members
- Paul James