Rest Board

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

Chair of the Board and Independent Director

Vaughn Richtor

Sponsoring Organisation: Woolworths Group Limited

Dr Adam Walk

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

Helen Cooney

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

Joanne Lester

Nominating Organisation: Australian Retailers Association (ARA)

Michael Bargholz

Nominating organisation: National Retail Association

Mitchell Worsley

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

Catherine Bolger

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

Inese Kingsmill

Sponsoring Organisation: Wesfarmers

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 Helen Cooney 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
Director of Freedom & Social Action Group Limited

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 Advisory 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

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