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We're managed by a volunteer Board of Directors, consisting of professionals and business owners from across the Cairns and Far North Queensland community.
Our Board of Directors is a group of committed business and community members who oversee the governance and adherence to compliance for the company, along with providing expertise in a range of fields via sub committees of the board. The Board of Directors meets on a monthly basis, to ensure financial sustainability, compliance to the Corporations Act 2001 and to set the strategic direction for the company. They consist of the Finance and Risk Management Committee, the Building and Development Committee and the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group.
ACHC Directors are elected each year at the Annual General Meeting. We’re proud and fortunate to have an active, skilled-based board that have a range of skills and expertise which they generously provide to us on a voluntary basis.
Richard initially started practising as a qualified Surveyor. In the late 1980’s, he decided to make a career change and started studying to become a teacher. After graduating and completing his teaching degree he started teaching in public schools in Queensland and stayed in the public education system until he retired in 2017. During his career in education, he undertook roles of Head of Department, Deputy Principal and Principal in several schools which he thoroughly enjoyed. He later took a secondment to the position of Deputy Director, FNQ TAFE, and his last role of about 9 years, was as a supervisor of school principals (Assistant Regional Director) in the FNQ Region.
He currently works as an organizational effectiveness consultant, as an accredited practitioner and trainer in Systems Leadership.
Robert is a Chartered Accountant and Director of Caatz Management Rights Accountants, providing tax and accounting compliance and advisory services to clients in the management rights, short-term letting and real estate industries. Robert brings financial leadership, strategy, technical expertise and risk management skills. He has been on several community-based committees, including the Safe Night Cairns CBD Precinct Inc and the United Cricket Club. Robert joined the board of Access Community Housing in January 2019.
Pat Flanagan is a civil engineer with 40 years experience in the planning design and construction of residential and commercial developments and community infrastructure . Pat brings to the board a background of 30 years of operating one of NQ’s leading engineering and planning consultancies. Pat has a long history of leadership roles in industry , professional and community organisations. He is also currently a member of the St Andrew’s Catholic College Board.
Sonia Smith has been a serving police officer with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) since 1992 and has worked predominately in North Queensland, including Cairns, Kowanyama, Bamaga, Thursday Island and Mount Isa. She was appointed as a Detective in 2006, and has overseen major criminal investigations with regional Criminal Investigation Branches, Child Protection and Investigation Units and Drug Squads.
Sonia was awarded the Australian Police Medal in 2016 for her leadership and commitment to the mentoring of others in remote areas.
Sonia completed the Foundations to Directorship Program with the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2019. She has also studied a Masters in Business Administration (Executive). Sonia is a mediator and performs this role internally in the QPS. Sonia enjoys outdoor activities such as bushwalking and camping.
Mary was born in Hungary and has lived all her adult life in Cairns. She has worked in the public health care system for almost thirty years including in senior health professional with extensive experience in leadership roles, and is currently working as a General Manager for Mind Australia. She has a nursing background and experience working with diverse teams across both the acute health care sector, rural and remote, community as well as primary health settings.
Mary holds financial and post graduate managerial qualifications and has managed large budgets and human resources. She has extensive experience in planning of service budgets, workforce planning and development, service planning and design, contract management and developing business improvement proposals to support organisational strategic priorities. Mary also brings knowledge and skills in corporate and clinical governance and is a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.
Amanda Lee-Ross is the former CEO of Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service (2002-2020). She holds a BA (Hons) in Politics, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Health Services) and a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment. Amanda has experience working in the public, private and not for profit sectors and prior to emigrating from the UK, she worked as a manager in various healthcare settings in the National Health Service, before becoming Commissioning Manager of the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment’s medical research programme.
Amanda has served on a variety of Boards – she held the position of Secretary to the Queensland Domestic Violence Services Network (QDVSN) from 2004 to 2012; was a member of the Queensland Ministerial Advisory Council on Domestic and Family Violence (MACDFV) 2008-2009; and the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Strategy Implementation Advisory Group (DFVSIAG) 2010-2012. She is also currently President of Cairns Community Legal Centre and a past President of Shelter Housing Action Cairns. In 2020 she was inducted into the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Honour Roll in recognition of her work in the sector. In her spare time, she runs marathons and plays the drums.
Kevin is the General Manager of Commercial at Ports North and is responsible for the dealings and property portfolio of nine ports across North Queensland. Also, the former CEO and Financial Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Cairns. Kevin is an experienced property developer, site acquisition consultant, and holds a number of qualifications including, Certified Practicing Valuer, Fellow of the Australian Property Institute, and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, Jason grew up in Cairns and worked as a Boilermaker until the early 2000’s before moving into the public sector. With over 20 years as a public servant, Jason has worked in policy and program areas for three government agencies, including the Queensland government, Northern Territory government and Australian government, to conserve, protect and manage country in the environmental and social services sectors.
Jason brings Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and engagement, qualifications in leadership and management, and experience working in partnerships. He understands co-design and co-management principles, cultural authority, traditional lore, and customs. He also has expertise in procurement and contract management, program and project management, and leading repairs and maintenance, including minor and major capital works to remote and urban social and affordable housing.
Ben is a Senior Associate at MacDonnells Law predominantly working in the areas of Property and Commercial Law and brings experience in risk management, project structuring and tenure, having advised on significant commercial, local government and state development projects regionally and across the State. Ben also has experience in working through and advising on the legal complexities facing the governance of a not for profit corporation, both in his capacity as adviser to or on the Board of a number of such organisations.
© Access Community Housing Company 2025