Our board
Our Hands is governed by an independent board, which is supported by a team of experienced staff.
Matt Joyce (Chair)
Matt Joyce is the Managing Director of WCL Management Service, a leading consultancy specialising in transport and technology solutions for major events and project management.
With a commitment to philanthropy, Matt assumed the role of Chair at Into Our Hands Community Foundation in September 2023.
Matt is also:
- On the board of Northeast Health Wangaratta
- A member of Merriwa Industries’ board.
Fiona Nicholls (Vice Chair)
Fiona joined the board in 2019. She has:
- More than 30 years working in the global resources industry, working across a range of business functions including strategy and planning, due diligence and assurance processes, crisis management, and organisational change.
- Professional qualifications and experience in sustainable development, environmental management and community development.
- Experience on multiple public and private boards.
- Chair of the Alpine Community Recovery Committee since 2020.
John Bailey (Secretary)
John joined the Into Our Hands Board in 2018 after attending the Annual General Meeting.
With a strong local business and real estate background, John has had:
- A career in body corporate management and real estate.
- Strong background in governance, finance and community networks though his 12 years as a Director of a Industry Superannuation Fund.
Bart Crawley (Treasurer)
Bart joined the board in early 2020. He brings:
- Experience in all aspects of commercial and social purpose organisations.
- A passion for people-centric leadership.
Bart studied business, leading on to a lengthy career in senior leadership in the taxation, business consulting and manufacturing sectors.
He is currently CEO of Merriwa Industries Ltd.
Anthony Griffiths
Anthony joined the board in 2024 and has:
- Extensive experience serving on multiple community not-for-profit boards and committees at local, regional and state levels, predominantly in the areas of environmental sustainability and community leadership.
- A strong background in the public sector with a focus on governance and assurance through roles that have included local government (Councillor and Mayor), Victorian Government (statutory authorities board member) and Federal public sector through working professionally with the ATO for many years.
- A strong personal connection to North East Victoria.
Ruth Kneebone
Ruth joined the board as chair in 2019.
With a career spent working in local government and accounting sectors.
Ruth brings a vast set of skills to her role including:
- Governance
- Risk
- Finance
- Information services
- Customer service
- Media and communications.
Jodie Wells
Jodie joined the board in 2020.
Her strengths include:
- A strong sense of community from a life-long connection to North East Victoria.
- Experience on the boards of many local community organisations.
With many years practicing law in our community, Jodie now works in the community justice sector, helping vulnerable and disadvantaged clients.
Our senior staff
Peter McCabe (Executive Officer)
- Finance
- Retail
- Hospitality
- The not-for-profit sector.
- Having predominantly lived and worked in regional Victorian areas, Peter possesses a unique insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by these communities.
- Peter and his family now reside in Yackandandah.
