Skip to main content

We are offering services through video link, by phone, or where appropriate, face to face. Call us on 1800 639 523 to discuss your options or to book a session.

Better Pride
Better Pride

Board Of Directors

Better governance to facilitate healthier relationships

The Better Place Australia Board of Directors

Anne Goldsbrough

Magistrate Anne Goldsbrough AM

Chair of the Board

Anne Goldsbrough has been a leader in the area of Family Violence and Family Law since her appointment as a Victorian Magistrate in 1996. She was the Part-Time Law Reform Commissioner for the Australian Law Reform Commission’s inquiry and report into the interaction of laws and practice in Family Law, family violence, child protection, sexual assault, and criminal laws in 2010. She sat on the Judicial Council on Cultural Diversity from 2014 to 2022. Anne is currently the Regional Coordinating Magistrate and Lead Family Violence Magistrate for the Hume region including Shepparton and 8 other regional courts. She has presided over notable projects as a magistrate, including the development and introduction of the Specialist Family Violence Court Division in 2005.

In June 2022, Anne was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the judiciary, and to the law and to legal education. Anne regularly contributes to ongoing legal and judicial professional development and to a range of community information and education programs both locally and abroad. Anne brings the same dedication to Better Place Australia where she has a natural interest in our services that are supportive of those at risk of family violence and our practitioners focus on risk assessment and safety planning.

Anne joined the Board in November 2018.

Anne is a member of the People and Governance Committee and the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee.

Erika Owens

Erika Owens

Deputy Chair

Erika Owens is the Director, Victim Support within the Victim Services, Support and Reform (VSSR) unit at the Department of Justice and Community Safety. She was previously the CEO of Crime Stoppers Victoria. She has also held executive positions as Senior Manager, Southern & Eastern Melbourne and later as General Manager, State Services at Relationship Australia (Vic) for 3 years. Prior to this, Erika worked in the Department of Justice for several years overseeing the delivery of government reform and operations. Erika has a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Australian Cultural Studies) from Victoria University, a Graduate Diploma in Arts (Criminology) from the University of Melbourne and an Executive Master of Public Administration from the University of Melbourne

Erika joined the Board in 2018

Erika is a member of the People and Governance Committee.

Judy Small AM

Director

Judy is a retired Federal Circuit Court judge. She was admitted to the legal profession in 1999, after practising first as a psychologist and then as a full-time folk singer for 20 years. She spent six years in private practice before joining Victoria Legal Aid in 2004 and became an Accredited Specialist in Family Law in 2005. Judy was appointed as Director of Family, Youth & Children’s Law at VLA in 2009. She was appointed to the bench of the Federal Circuit Court in 2013, sitting exclusively in the Family Law jurisdiction, and retired in April 2020. She was awarded membership in the Order of Australia in 2013. Judy currently chairs the Board of Midsumma Festival, Australia’s leading LGBTQI+ arts organisation.

Judy joined the Board in February 2023. 

Judy is a member of the People and Governance Committee.

Delia McIver

Director

Delia McIver has significant experience at a senior executive level across the post-secondary education sector in the areas of People and Culture/Human Resources, safety, risk and corporate services and has worked across Australia and internationally in her career. Delia currently holds the position of Executive Director People, Culture and Safety at Chisholm Institute, having held similar positions as Executive Director People & Capability at Box Hill Institute and Director Human Resources at Victoria University. Having a keen interest in the not-for-profit sector, Delia has been a member of the Fitzroy Learning Network Board, Oakleigh Centre Board and enjoys participating as a volunteer at Reclink. Delia is a graduate of the University of Melbourne, Monash University and La Trobe University and a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute.

Delia joined the Board in May 2017.

Delia is Chair of the People and Governance Committee.

David Speyer

David Speyer

Director

David is Executive General Manager Victoria at Aruma. His passion is to enable the delivery of excellence to customers and his passion to create the dynamic environment for change and growth to thrive. Today that means leading services to people living with Disabilities to live a great life, the life they choose. Throughout his career in senior executive and leadership he has applied his commercial and financial acumen to complex change and turnaround through roles in finance, mergers and acquisitions, business reorganisations in multinationals and for-purpose national organisations.

David joined the Board in October 2014.

David is a member of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee.

Dr Bruce Bolam

Dr Bruce Bolam

Director

Dr Bruce Bolam is Director of the Loddon-Mallee Public Health Unit based at Bendigo Health. He has extensive experience in public health, research and policy, gained though senior roles in health and government sectors in Australia and the UK. Passionate about improving health and wellbeing for all, Bruce believes that empowering people to build better relationships is foundational for happier and healthier individuals, families and communities. Bruce is a Fellow of both the Public Health Association of Australia and the UK Faculty of Public Health of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, and holds several related degrees.

Bruce joined in February 2020.

Bruce is a member of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee.

Garry Button

Director and Treasurer

Garry is a seasoned finance, risk, and corporate services executive with significant experience in large government organisations. He currently holds the position of Executive Director Enterprise Services and Chief Financial Officer with Ambulance Victoria. His career includes senior management and CXO roles across four Australian State capitals and diverse industry sectors including consumer products, media, transport, energy and health.

Garry is a graduate of the University of New South Wales, Fellow of CPA Australia and Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He brings significant experience reporting to boards, and as a non-executive director on boards in not-for-profit, professional association and ASX listed environments, including as shareholder nominee. Garry brings his experience and commitment to Better Place Australia to support the delivery of our services to those in need.

Garry joined the Board in March 2023.

Garry is Chair of the Finance Risk and Audit Committee.

Get Support

Please make an enquiry if you would like to book an appointment for one of our services. Alternatively, you can live chat with us during business hours.

We want your feedback

We greatly appreciate the feedback that community members share about their experiences, where they think Better Place Australia could improve and where they think we have done a great job.

Provide feedback

Contact us

Make an enquiry
Call us on 1800 639 523
Live chat with us
Leave feedback

Our services

About us

Emergency assistance

If you are in an emergency situation or need immediate assistance, please contact emergency services on 000 or Lifeline 13 11 14.

Get help

Connect with us

Better Place Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Elders in each of the communities where we work. 

bp_footer

Visit Better Pride

cbr_footer

Visit the Centre for Better Relationships, the research arm of Better Place Australia

ACNC-Registered-Charity-Logo_RGB
QIP - QIC Accredited Symbol
Better Place Australia is a QIP QIC Accredited organisation and recognised for its commitment to being a safe and quality focused service provider.
Scroll to Top