Chair
Gail is the Executive Director, Safety and Quality, Statewide Mental Health Services and was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to breast cancer screening in Tasmania in the 2018 Australia Day Honours List. Gail has a personal and professional interest in supporting quality disability services, and her knowledge and expertise in health service delivery is a great asset to the board.
Deputy Chair
Tony joined the Nexus board with a background in business management. He is currently the CEO of the Bleasel Group but also has experience in disability enterprises having served for over 13 years on the management committee of St Vincent Industries (The Rag Shop). Tony is committed to enabling every member of our community to reach their full potential, with a particular focus in the area of disability.
Board Member and Public Officer
After working as a reporter, and then editor, of the Mercury and Sunday Tasmania newspapers, Garry brings to the board a depth of media knowledge that is hard to find. He now supports a number of organisations with their media and advocacy, and works with a number of groups on a voluntary basis.
Board Member
Garth joined the Nexus board in 2019. He worked in senior roles in State and Commonwealth agencies and has since run an organisational development consulting business for the last 15 years. Garth has a strong focus and interest in building leadership capability and creating supportive, high-performance cultures. He also volunteers in the disability sector and refugee support areas.
Board Member
Throughout his career, Martin has been actively involved in not-for-profit organisations and professional groups including Soil Science Australia, Forestry Australia and the Salvation Army Advisory Council. He is the founder and CEO of The E[ART]H Project, a unique initiative that blends scientific and Aboriginal cultural knowledge to promote sustainable land management through artistic approaches.
He is Chair of KickstART Arts, a community arts and cultural development organisation focused on promoting health and wellbeing, engaging and building communities and supporting positive social change.
Martin is the Manager of Bioenergy at the Department of State Growth and has held leadership roles in several organisations, gaining extensive experience in bioenergy, forestry, carbon and natural value accounting and environmental management.
Board Member
Deb has dedicated nearly three decades of her working life to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health at National, State, and Territory levels. She has worked across numerous public and private institutions, focusing on policy design, implementation, and the management of major health reforms.
Her career includes significant roles such as Senior Manager of Trust and Engagement at the University of Sydney, Director of Planning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health at the Department of Health and Ageing, and various senior advisory positions. Deb has been instrumental in the early development of Community Service Hubs and consultative mechanisms between universities and Aboriginal communities.
Board Member
Renee is the Managing Director of Tremayne Fay Rheinberger law firm in Hobart. She has been honing her law career for 20 years, bringing a wealth of experience to Nexus.
Since 2004, Renee has specialised in civil litigation, assisting both private and corporate clients in various areas, including insurance, personal injury, workers’ compensation, motor vehicle accidents, professional conduct, workplace relations, and building and construction.
In recognition of her expertise, Renee was honoured as a Preeminent lawyer in the 2023 Doyle’s Guide Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers – Tasmania.
Renee has served as a board member for several not-for-profit organizations, reflecting her commitment to community service. At Nexus, she is passionate about contributing to an organization that does meaningful work in the community.
Apart from her professional commitments, Renee, a mother of two, loves spending quality time with her family.
Board Member
Peter is an audience development and communication specialist and has been fortunate in his working life to help change and grow some of our most challenging and loved organisations such as the Tasmanian Football League, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and RSPCA Tasmania.
He is a founding board member of the not-for-profit charity Water for a Village (providing clean fresh water to Ethiopian villages), Deputy Chairperson of the Wrest Point Sandy Bay Regatta Association and is a member of the Australian Olympic Team Appeal Committee.
Board Member
Since studying Law and Psychology at the University of Tasmania, Merrilyn has had a lifelong interest in how these disciplines intertwine. For over 10 years Merrilyn worked on Boards and Tribunals including TASCAT, the Guardianship and Administration Board and the Mental Health Tribunal. Merrilyn’s passion for supporting people with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, and social disadvantage led her to return to study and earn a Graduate Diploma and Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counselling from the University.
Merrilyn is currently Manager of Operations at the Legal Profession Board of Tasmania and has also been a Director and Responsible Officer of the Motors Foundation, focusing on charitable initiatives for disadvantaged youth and families.
