Hi everyone, all, I’m Mal, a parent of three children with varying needs and proud to be a non-executive director on your board. 

 I’m also the Chair of Interchange’s Governance committee, which was created to ensure good corporate and clinical governance within Interchange to protect our staff and customers. I recently retired from an executive role in government and had a 40-year fire service career in WA and NSW.  

Over the years I’ve come to know quite a bit about disability support, as I’ve navigated the system to ensure our three children get the best opportunities to learn, participate in society and have a sustainable circle of support around them.

It’s been a battle, having had to face changing bureaucracies, explore arrangements and fight for funding plans suited to our needs. I know this isn’t news to many of you, and that’s why, in large part, I’ve joined organisations like Interchange to play my part in shaping the system for the better, rather than sit on the sidelines and complain. 

I joined the board of my first disability organization, Developmental Disability WA (DDWA) in 2014.  A couple of years ago, I was an inaugural member of a coalition of dads that decided to get together to advocate for improvements to the disability system – ‘D-dads’. And finally, in August 2021, I joined the board of Interchange. 

Interchange has a great feel to it, and it’s been a joy to be part of the strategic decision-making over the last 14 months. The period hasn’t been without its challenges as we all know, with COVID, staff shortages, cost pressures and a change of federal government. 

Given my experience at home and through executive roles, I have a great passion for ensuring we keep our people and customers safe, supported and I’m keen to maximize their positive experiences and value in the community.  This takes hard work and close attention by the board, as we not only have to achieve that, but also ensure financial sustainability – a tough task in this environment! 

I’m also on a national board, a national committee and consult to a national industry organisation– all concerning fire and emergency management. (My wife Marcie keeps telling me I’m supposed to be retired.) 

In my downtime, I’m a keen sailor – I’m out most Thursdays or Saturdays on a 27-foot keelboat (think big colourful sails) racing around the Swan River. Otherwise, I’m at home annoying Marcie and helping where I can – as you’d appreciate with three dependent kids, it can be challenging (though very rewarding too!).  

We are very grateful for the support of Mal and our other Board members.

If you would like to reach out to Mal or any of the Interchange Board, you can contact them through hello@interchangewa.org.au