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Rest Board

Our board is made up of both employer and employee representatives, as well as an independent Chair.

Speaking on your behalf

Four directors are nominated on behalf of employees by the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA). Four directors are nominated by employers and employer associations to represent employers. This means that employees and employers are equally represented. Additionally, an independent director has been appointed to the board to supplement the skills and experience of the board.

James Merlino

James Merlino

Chair of the Board and Independent Director

Vaughn Richtor

Vaughn Richtor

Sponsoring Organisation: Woolworths Group Limited

 

Dr Adam Walk

Dr Adam Walk

Nominating Organisation: Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) 

Helen Cooney

Helen Cooney

Nominating Organisation: Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) 

Joanne Lester

Joanne Lester

Nominating Organisation: Australian Retailers Association (ARA)

Michael Bargholz

Michael Bargholz

Nominating organisation: National Retail Association

 

Mitchell Worsley

Mitchell Worsley

Nominating organisation: Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA)

 

Catherine Bolger

Catherine Bolger

Nominating organisation: Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA)

Inese Kingsmill

Inese Kingsmill

Sponsoring Organisation: Wesfarmers

Alternate Directors

Gerard Dwyer

Nominating Organisation: 
Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA)

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Date of current appointment as an Alternate Director: 

4 March 2020

Qualifications 
Bachelor of Education – History and English (BEd)
Master of Business – (Employment Relations) (MBus)
Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
 
Gerard Dwyer is the National Secretary-Treasurer of the Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees' Association. Gerard has been the Secretary-Treasurer of the SDA-NSW Branch (2005-2014), National President of the Union (2008-2014) and SDA National Secretary‑Treasurer since 2014. The SDA is one of Australia's largest trade unions and represents employees working in retail, warehousing and fast food.
 
Gerard grew up in regional NSW and moved to Sydney at the age of 18 to pursue tertiary studies. He has a Bachelor of Education (History and English (1989)), a Masters of Business in Employment Relations (UTS, 2002) and is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Gerard's working life has seen him employed as a shop assistant, classroom teacher, social worker and as a Trade Union Official for more than 20 years.

Current Directorships

  • Alternate Director to Dr Adam Walk in Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Ltd
  • Director of The Trade Union Education Foundation Limited
  • Director of ACTU Member Connect
  • Director of the John Curtin Research Centre
Current Appointments
  • Commerce President of the Union of Network International: UNI Apro
  • Member of the ALP National Executive
  • Member of National Workplace Relations Consultative Council
  • Member of Ministerial Advisor Council on Skilled Migration
  • Member of Union Network International: UNI Work Management Committee
  • National Secretary-Treasurer of the SDA
  • Senior Vice President of the ACTU
  • World President of the Union Network International: UNI
  • World Executive Member of the UNI Global Union
Rest Committee Membership
Nil – however, in addition to acting as Alternate Director for Dr Adam Walk at Board meetings, Gerard may take Adam’s place at Committee meetings if Adam is unable to attend.

Michael Donovan

Nominating Organisation: 
Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA)

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Date of current appointment as an Alternate Director: 

25 November 2020

Qualifications
Bachelor of Science – Chemistry and Mathematics (BSc(MathSc))
 
Michael had experience as a Research Officer and subsequently as a Senior Research Officer for the SDA from 1977 to 1992 including research, advocacy, negotiation, member advice, delegate education and some government liaison. Michael was advocate for the SDA in the major case which established industry-wide superannuation for retail workers in 1987-1988.
 
Michael became Assistant Secretary of the Victorian Branch of the SDA in 1992 and Secretary in 1996. Michael is responsible for the supervision of the employees of the Branch, for the financial management of the Branch and for the strategic director of the Branch, in association with other elected Officers. Michael became the National Vice-President of the SDA in 2014, and the National President in 2018.

Current Directorships

  • Alternate Director to Helen Cooney in Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Ltd
  • Chair of FEDSDA Pty Ltd
  • Chair of Industrial Printing and Publishing Pty Ltd
  • Chair of Publicity Works Pty Ltd
  • Chair of Sparkie Pty Ltd trustee of the IPP Property Trust
Current Appointments
  • Member of the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Committee

Learn more about Rest