The Board
The OI Society of Australia is run by a volunteer board who are elected by the members on an annual basis. We meet once a month online and every second year we meet in person for a weekend workshop to discuss the strategic direction of the Society.
OI Society of Australia Board
Your 2023 Board
President: Jenny Cowley
Vice President: Jade Cross
Treasurer: Trish McFerran
Secretary: Amanda Reiman
Membership Officer: Johan Potgieter
Web Master: Vacant
Board Members:
Arthur Szeto, Matt Shilcock, Jamie McFerran, Katie Ferris
Medical advisory panel:
Professor David Sillence & Dr Jenny Ault
History of the Board
The Society was formed in 1977 by parents and friends of people with O.I. and remains a voluntary organisation with no paid staff or Government funding. The OI Society was originally incorporated as the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Society of NSW (Brittle Bones) under the seal of the Corporate Affairs Commission at Sydney on 5th May 1978 with a Previous NSW Registration Number is 204 932-15. The Society is now an Australian Public Company Limited by Guarantee . ACN 001 534 309
The OI Society was registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) as a charity with ABN 13 001 534 309. All donations to the Society are Tax Deductible.
The business affairs of the Society are managed by a Board of at least six persons and no more than 12, including a President and Vice President, all of whom are elected at the AGM.
The Society has been most fortunate over its 39 years with the outstanding dedication of its Board members (many of whom have OI) and particularly in the strong leadership shown by its presidents in pursuing the Society’s aims. Initially as the OI Society of NSW under Lynn Foxall’s presidency in 1993 the Society changed its name and widened its focus to help support all of Australia under the name of OI Society of Australia.
It was the practice then to meet face to face, there were very few families from the other states, as members, But we were certainly aware of the lack of state involvement and so we actively sort representatives from each state, making them Board Members in 1996. There was even active fundraising to support these representatives and of course other members, to be able to attend the conferences, here in Sydney. This has been instrumental in laying down the foundation of incorporating families and thus Board members from interstate. Today we have board members and state representatives from all states of Australia.
Prior to 2009, the OI Society Board was made up of members from Sydney as meetings were held on a monthly basis in person, however this made it hard for people outside of Sydney from participating. With thanks to the progressive thinking of the then President, Julie Stonestreet and the board of that time together with the rapid improvements in technology it was decided to facilitate monthly Board Meetings and AGMs to Skype conference calls. This has enabled the Society to tap into the broader nationwide community of people seeking to participate and willing to volunteer to be on the board and have a say in how the Society is managed.
Special credit should be given to the sterling work of the early presidents who had the most difficult task of getting the “show on the road” from a standing start. At that time in 1977, little was known, not only about Osteogenesis Imperfecta, but about the number ,distribution and circumstances of people living with the condition in the community.
Since the Society’s inception, the Committee has been composed almost entirely of family members and adults with OI. OI is a relatively rare condition with best estimates varying between 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 50,000. Individuals are thus comparatively few and unlikely to be more than 1200 in Australia and widely scattered. The enlistment of volunteers to run the Society has always been challenging particularly as most have little or no experience in management of a charitable organisation. However approximately 50 stalwarts have come forward over the years and despite the difficult learning curve many experience, the progress and success of the Society has been creditable.
Past Board Members of the OI Society of Australia
2017
President: Fern Dyball
Vice President: Julie Haraksin
Treasurer: Trish McFerran
Secretary:- Wendy Pilolo
Membership Officer: Lynn Dunn-Marler
Web Master:
Board Members:
Arthur Szeto, Patricia Potgieter, Ian Irwin, Jenny Cowley
Medical advisory panel:
Professor David Sillence
28 August 2016
President: Fern Dyball
Vice President: Julie Haraksin
Treasurer: Trish McFerran
Secretary:- Christalyne Look
Membership Officer: Lynn Dunn-Marler
Web Master: David Richards
Board Members:
Arthur Szeto, Jared Martin, Helen Keogh, Ian Irwin
Medical advisory panel:
Professor David Sillence
Dr Jenny Ault
31 August 2015
President: – Fern Dyball
Vice President: – Julie Haraksin
Treasurer: – Trish McFerran
Secretary: – Raechel Richards
Membership Officer: Lynn Dunn-Marler
Web Master: David Richards
Board Members: – Arthur Szeto, Jared Martin, Ian Irwin, Christalyne Look, Liezel Smith, Helen Keogh
31 August 2014
Vice President: – Andrew Longhurst
Vice President: – Melinda Montgomery
Secretary: -Fern Dyball
Treasurer: – Trish McFerran
Board Members:- Amber Del Pin, Jared Martin, Raechel Richards, Kate Pardy, Julie Haraksin, Ian Irwin
08 September 2013
President: – No one at present
Vice President:- Andrew Longhurst, Melinda Montgomery
Secretary:- Kate Pardy
Treasurer:- Trish McFerran
Board Members:- Amber Del Pin, Fern Dyball, Raechel Richards, Jared Martin,Rosie Mayes
11 September 2012
President: – Julie Stonestreet
Vice President: – Melinda Montgomery, Andrew Longhurst
Secretary:- Karen Ford
Treasurer: – Trish McFerran
Board Members: – Maria Wallace, Arthur Szeto, Kate Pardy, Gaye Brown, Abby Meyer
11 September 2011
President: – Helen Keogh
Vice-Presidents: – Melinda Montgomery
Secretary: – Abby Myer
Treasurer: – Trish McFerran
Board Members: – Arthur Szeto, Andrew Longhurst, Maria Wallace, Sara Mitchell, Karen Ford
19 September 2010
President: – No one at present
Vice President: – Helen Keogh, Julie Stonestreet
Secretary: – Cheryl Gatt
Treasurer: – Patricia McFerran
Board Members: – Mike Kendall, Arthur Szeto, Fiona Winters, Melinda Montgomery, Kate Pardy
2009
President: – No one at present
Vice President: – Julie Stonestreet, Arthur Szeto
Secretary: – Davina Knight
Treasurer: -Mike Kendall
Board Members: – Andrew Longhurst, Gail Peacock, Ian Irwin, Helen Keogh, Julie Haraksin, Jenny Knight
2008
President: – Julie Haraksin
Vice President: – Julie Stonestreet, Arthur Szeto
Secretary: – Chris Taig
Treasurer: – Mike Kendall
Board Members: – Suzan Mehmet ,Andrew Longhurst ,Gail Peacock
2007
President: – Craig Andrews
Vice President: – Julie Stonestreet, Julie Haraksin
Secretary: – Lauren Naughton
Treasurer: – Mike Kendall
Board Members: – Sue Chamberlain, Lynne Foxall, Suzan Mehmet, Andrew Longhurst, Gary Szeto, Gail Peacock, Christine Taig
2006
President: – Craig Andrews
Vice President: – Julie Stonestreet, Julie Haraksin
Secretary: – Janet Swift
Treasurer: – Mike Kendall
Board Members: – Sue Chamberlain, Lynne Foxall, Peter Foxall, Andrew Longhurst, Kristy Melville, Gail Peacock, Christine Taig
2005
President: – Julie Stonestreet
Vice President:- Lynne Foxall, Peter Foxall
Secretary: – Janet Swift, Suzy Winch
Treasurer: – Mike Kendall
Board Members: – Chris Taig, Sue Chamberlain, Andrew Longhurst, Kristy Melvil, Gail Peacock, Fiona Winters
2004
President: – Julie Stonestreet
Vice President:- Lynne Foxall ,Chris Taig
Secretary: – Janet Swift, Suzy Winch
Treasurer: – Mike Kendall, Sue Chamberlain
Editor:- Fiona Winters
Board Members: – Andrew Longhurst, Peter Foxall, Kristy Melville, Gail Peacock
2003
President: – Julie Stonestreet
Secretary: – Janet Swift
2002
President: Julie Stonestreet
Secretary:- Mrs. Suzanne Winch
2001
President: – Lynne Foxall
Secretary:- Suzanne Winch
Treasurer: – Mike Kendall
2000
President: – Lynne Foxall
Secretary:- Suzanne Winch
Treasurer :- Mike Kendall
1999
President: Julie Stonestreet
Secretary: Mrs. Suzanne Winch
1998
President: – Lynne Foxall
Vice President: – Gail Peacock
Treasurer: – Christine Taig
Director: – Sue Winch, Leesa, Morris Chris Taig, Mike Kendall, Paul Taig
20 August 1997
President/Secretary: – Lynne Foxall
Vice President: – Paul Taig, Gail Peacock
Treasurer: – Christine Taig
Director: – Neil Murrin, Julie Stonestreet, Fiona Gallagher, Peter Foxall, Brone Cosimo, Michael Kendall
18 August 1996
President/Secretary: – Lynne Foxall
Vice President: – Paul Taig, Gail Peacock
Treasurer: – Christine Taig
Director: – Neil Murrin, Julie Stonestreet, Fiona Gallagher, Peter Foxall, Brone Cosimo
28 August 1995
President/Secretary: – Lynne Foxall
Vice President: – Gail Peacock, Doris Vassallo
Treasurer: – Paul Taig, Christine Taig
Director: – Neil Murrin, Julie Stonestreet, Fiona Gallagher, Georgina Pierotti, Peter Foxall, Brone Cosimo
28 August 1994
President: – Lynne Foxall
Vice President: – Neil Murrin, Doris Vassallo
Secretary: – Georgina Pierotti
Treasurer: – Paul Taig, Christine Taig
Director: – Janette Cameron-Smith, Gail Peacock, Carole Langston, Peter Foxall
The Osteogenesis Imperfecta Society of Australia
29th day of August 1993
29 August 1993
President: – Lynne Foxall
Vice President: – Neil Murrin, Doris Vassallo
Secretary: – Georgina Pierotti
Treasurer: – Paul Taig
Director: – Ian Irwin, Janette Cameron-Smith, Julie Haraksin, Desmond Donovan, Gail Peacock, Phillip Pierotti
30 August 1992
President: – Allison Thorpe
Vice President: – Ian Irwin, Neil Murrin
Secretary: – Lynne Foxall
Treasurer: – Paul Taig
Director: – Janette Cameron-Smith, Doris Vassallo, Julie Haraksin, Desmond Donovan, Julie Stonestreet, Fiona Gallagher
30 August 1991
President: – Allison Thorpe
Vice President: – Ian Irwin, Ian Foxall
Secretary: – Lynne Foxall
Treasurer: – Paul Taig
Director: – Janette Cameron-Smith, Ross Chisholm, Doris Vassallo, Julie Haraksin, Neil Murrin
26 August1990
President: – Allison Thorpe
Vice President: – Ian Foxall
Secretary: – Lynne Foxall
Treasurer: – John Roberts
Director: – Ian Irwin, Janette Cameron-Smith, Ross Chisholm, Doris Vassallo, Julie Haraksin, Neil Murrin, Paul Taig
27 August 1989
President: – Allison Thorpe
Vice President: – Ian Foxall, Janette Cameron-Smith
Secretary: – Lynne Foxall
Treasurer: – John Roberts
Director: – John Foster, Lynne Foster, Ross Chisholm, Doris Vassallo
07 August 1988
President: – Allison Thorpe
Vice President: – Ian Foxall, Janette Cameron-Smith
Secretary: – Lynne Foxall
Treasurer: – John Roberts
Director: – Ian Irwin, Bert Chamberlain, John Foster, Lynne Foster, Ross Chisholm
30 August 1987
President: – Allison Thorpe
Vice President: – Gwen Crane, Ian Foxall
Secretary: – Lynne Foxall
Treasurer: – John Roberts
Director: – Ian Irwin, Janette Cameron-Smith, Bert Chamberlain
31 August 1986
President: – Allison Thorpe
Vice President: – Gwen Crane, Ian Foxall
Secretary: – Lynne Foxall
Treasurer: – John Roberts
Director: – Ian Irwin, Janette Cameron-Smith, Bert Chamberlain
25 August 1985
President: – John Roberts
Secretary: – Geoff Boreham
Vice President: – Gwen Crane, Ian Foxall
Treasurer: – Allison Thorpe
Director: – Ian Irwin, Janette Cameron-Smith, Bert Chamberlain, Lynne Foxall
19 August 1984
President: – John Roberts
Vice President: – Gwen Crane, Ian Foxall
Secretary: – Geoff Boreham
Director: – Annett Pugh, Ian Irwin, Allison Thorpe, Janette Cameron-Smith, Bert Chamberlain, Lynne Foxall
28 August 1983
President: – John Roberts
Vice President: – Guy Roberts, Kenneth Peter
Secretary: – Geoff Boreham
Director: – Patricia Salmon, Annett Pugh, Gwen Crane, Ian Irwin, Allison Thorpe, Jackie Vassallo
28 November 1982
President: – John Roberts
Vice President: – Guy Roberts, Kenneth Peter
Secretary: – Geoff Boreham
Director: – Patricia Salmon, Annett Pugh, Gwen Crane, Ian Irwin, Allison Thorpe
29 November 1981
President: – Richard Cormick
Vice President: – Guy Roberts, John Roberts
Secretary: – Pam Cormick, Helen Manning
Treasurer: – Kenneth Peter
Director: – Patricia Salmon, Jean Best
07 December 1980
President: – Richard Cormick
Vice President: – Patricia Salmon
Secretary: – Pam Cormick
Treasurer: – Kenneth Peter
Director: – Steven Grigor, Nanette Rosser, Diedre Millard, Guy Roberts
14 October 1979
President: – Paul Rosser
Vice President: – Richard Cormick
Secretary: – Patricia Salmon
Treasurer: – Kenneth Peter
Social Secretary: – Donna Ragen
Director: – Paul Ragen, Rita Hornshaw, Guy Roberts
03 September 1978
President: – Len Crane
Vice President: -Rita Hornshaw
Secretary/Treasurer: -Patricia Salmon
Social Secretary: – Donna Ragen
Director: – Michael McAuliffe, Robert Millard, Joe De Bono, Richard Cormick
The Osteogenesis Imperfecta Society of N.S.W.
15th day of March, 1978
03 July 1977
President: – Michael McAuliffe
Secretary/Director: – Paul Ragen
Treasurer/Vice President: – Peter Gallagher
Vice President/Committee: – Len Crane
Committee/Director: – Robert Millard, Chris Lambert
01 May 1977
Chairman: – Michael McAuliffe
Secretary: – Paul Ragen
Treasurer: – Peter Gallagher
Committee: – Len Crane, Robert Millard
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