Our Directors (Non-Executive)
Melinda Charlesworth – Chair
Melinda Charlesworth has worked in the health industry for more than 25 years as a clinician, manager and director. She is a credentialed speech pathologist, with post-graduate qualifications in health systems management and executive coaching. She has been the leader of a wide range of services focusing on the provision of high-quality leadership for teams who provide excellent patient care. With a particular passion for communication in all forms, Melinda applies evidence-based leadership principles to inform governance and accountability, ensuring best practice, values-based outcomes for her community. She worked closely with the board in developing ARC Justice’s Strategy 2024-2029 and is passionate about overseeing the implementation of the bold agenda to ensure all Central and Northern Victorians know and access their rights as we work toward fairer communities.
Clare Fountain
Clare Fountain owns an award-winning professional services practice, working with clients across Australia. As the lead consultant, she delivers training, facilitation, consulting and mentoring across multiple sectors as well as designing and delivering strategic and business planning programs. Clare is regarded as a specialist in business model development in the co-operative sector and works in partnership with the peak body, the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, to deliver sector-informed training and education outcomes. An experienced director, Clare has been a founding member of several initiatives, including a platform co-op and a co-working space. She holds three governance roles.
‘I feel that access to legal services and tenancy advice play a key role in influencing the social determinants of health for members of our community. I am motivated to support our community to gain housing security and effectively resolve legal issues that result in improving their quality of life and therefore that of their family and our community. I believe ARC Justice shares this same motivation and vision.’
Narlinga Morgan
Narlinga Morgan, a very proud Yorta Yorta woman, brings experience and passion in social justice and human rights to the board, specifically in working with First Nations communities and underserviced communities and advocating for equality, better access to services and improved holistic health outcomes for all. She has held senior and leadership positions in State Government, not-for-profit community service organisations and Aboriginal community-controlled health services. Narlinga has led programs and projects in the healthcare, justice, disability, community mental health and family violence sectors and is a committee member on the board of a not-for-profit community service organisation that aims to support woman against gender-based violence.
‘I feel strongly about the values and services ARC Justice offers to our communities, including advocacy, tenancy and access to legal and fair justice services for all.’
Sarah Gee
Sarah Gee owns a commercial law firm in Bendigo, where she has practiced since 2013. She is highly regarded for her strong legal skills, commercial acumen and well-rounded governance skill with a Bachelor of Management and GACID qualification to sit beside her law degree. Sarah has a keen sense of justice, contributing to community efforts to support organisations across the education, domestic violence, food security and gender equity spaces including through her annual personal commitment to 100 hours of pro bono work and various not-for-profit board positions. Sarah uses her platform and experience to build sustainability and strong performance structures that support and compound the efforts of those working every day in the organisation with our vulnerable community members.
‘I support ARC Justice because I believe our legal and housing systems have too many cracks that people can fall through. By leveraging my business skills, I can contribute to building a robust organisation which can intensify its impact delivering positive social outcomes at both a community and individual level.’
Kate Scarce
Kate is a qualified CPA and proud Bendigo local who has been working in audit, risk management and accounting roles for 30 years. She is an audit manager at AFS & Associates and has worked with the Victorian Auditor General’s Office, Telstra, CPA Australia and Haven Home Safe. She is an audit committee independent member for Remembrance Parks Central Victoria and is a former chair of the audit committees for the City of Greater Bendigo and Gannawarra Shire. Her experience encompasses many sectors including health, local government, waste management, catchment management, credit unions, telecommunications, for-profit and not-for-profit organisations. She is also a community representative on the specialist clinics steering committee at Bendigo Health and a member of the GMHBA consumer consultation group. Kate loves supporting the local community and is passionate about the not-for-profit sector, with a particular interesting in good governance and accountability.
‘I support ARC Justice because I believe everyone should be able to access quality legal support and representation. Through innovative approaches, ARC meets the needs of the community with limited resources. I am also supportive of their hard work in lobbying for change and improvements to funding and community legal services.’
Erin Turner
Erin Turner is a consumer advocate who works with governments and regulators to make markets fairer for Australians. Erin is the CEO of the Consumer Policy Research Centre, a not-for-profit think tank. Erin’s most recently led the advocacy and communications team at consumer group CHOICE and she previously worked for not-for-profits including the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network and the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia. Erin has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Politics and Public Policy. She is a graduate of the AICD and is a board member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.
Ed Butler
Ed Butler brings a strategic communications and consumer experience focus to the board. He has more than a decade of experience in for-purpose communications, specifically in the legal help and environment sectors. He is the manager of communications and customer services at Mount Alexander Shire Council. Ed has over a decade’s experience across corporate, non-profit and state and local government communications. This has given him unique insights into the power of compelling storytelling to motivate action in an audience.
‘My time in the justice sector has shown me how critical legal help can be for people facing major life problems. It has also shown me the challenges in getting that help to them, the importance of meeting people where they are and speaking to them in a language they understand. ARC Justice clearly understands that too and I hope I can make some small contribution to the amazing work ARC Justice does every day.’
Melissa Ralph
The chief executive officer of Hunter Health Insurance, Melissa has more than 19 years’ experience across the member-owned financial services sector, with a strong background in strategy development and execution, financial management, risk management and governance. Melissa, previously the chief executive officer of Goulburn Murray Credit Union Co-operative, is a director of the Australian Regional Health Group. She holds memberships with the AICD and the Governance Institute of Australia.