Deborah Thomas
CEO/Manager Director
- Phone: 02 9876 0500
- Email: deborah.thomas@campquality.org.au
OUR PEOPLE & GOVERNANCE
At Camp Quality we remain committed to giving every kid facing cancer the chance to be a kid again, and bringing optimism and resilience to their daily lives.
We take our governance seriously.
Adopting best practice and adhering to corporate governance ensures Camp Quality remains well run and stays true to our vision, as well as engendering transparency and trust.
Meet the Leadership Team
Deborah ThomasCEO/Manager Director
Experience
Deborah Thomas is an experienced executive and Board Director, across both the corporate and not-for-profit (NFP) sectors. With over 25 years of expertise in leadership, management and marketing skills, Deborah is the ideal person to lead Camp Quality into its next phase.
Deborah has managed some of Australia’s most popular magazine brands, including The Australian Women’s Weekly, where she was Editor-in-Chief for nine years. In 2015 she was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Ardent Leisure Group.
Throughout her time in the commercial sector, Deborah has also been involved with many national NFP organisations, including the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation, Father Chris Riley’s Youth off the Streets, and is a founding patron of the Taronga Conservation Foundation.
On joining Camp Quality Deborah said, “I am honoured and excited by the prospect of working with Camp Quality and applying my skills and experience to such a worthy, trusted and important organisation. Camp Quality changes people’s lives for the better and I cannot think of a more fulfilling job than helping children and families deal with the trauma that comes with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.”
Special Responsibilities
Member of Audit & Compliance Committee and Member of People & Culture Committee.
Damian Ragusa
General Manager – Services & Programs
- Phone: 02 9876 0524
- Email: damian.ragusa@campquality.org.au
Natalie Gallagher
General Manager - People & Culture
- Phone: 02 9876 0510
- Email: natalie.gallagher@campquality.org.au
Rachael Clifford
General Manager - Finance & Operations
- Phone: 02 9876 0562
- Email: rachael.clifford@campquality.org.au
Meet our board
We're lucky at Camp Quality to have a group of dedicated professionals who freely donate their time, energy and professional expertise to Camp Quality. The Directors are responsible to the Members for the performance of the company in both the short and longer term, and seek to balance these sometimes-competing objectives in the best interest of the organisation as a whole.
A Director's term runs for three years, and they may be appointed at any time by the Board, as long as they are a Member of Camp Quality prior to the appointment. A Director may resign at any time or be removed from office by special resolution passed by the ordinary Members at a general meeting convened for that purpose.
The Board draws on relevant corporate governance best practice principles to assist it in contributing to the overall charitable performance of the organisation. Day-to-day management of the organisation's affairs, and implementation of corporate strategy and policy initiatives, are delegated by the Board to the Chief Executive Officer and management.
Deborah Thomas
CEO/Manager Director
Deborah ThomasCEO/Manager Director
Experience
Deborah Thomas is an experienced executive and Board Director, across both the corporate and not-for-profit (NFP) sectors. With over 25 years of expertise in leadership, management and marketing skills, Deborah is the ideal person to lead Camp Quality into its next phase.
Deborah has managed some of Australia’s most popular magazine brands, including The Australian Women’s Weekly, where she was Editor-in-Chief for nine years. In 2015 she was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Ardent Leisure Group.
Throughout her time in the commercial sector, Deborah has also been involved with many national NFP organisations, including the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation, Father Chris Riley’s Youth off the Streets, and is a founding patron of the Taronga Conservation Foundation.
On joining Camp Quality Deborah said, “I am honoured and excited by the prospect of working with Camp Quality and applying my skills and experience to such a worthy, trusted and important organisation. Camp Quality changes people’s lives for the better and I cannot think of a more fulfilling job than helping children and families deal with the trauma that comes with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.”
Special Responsibilities
Member of Audit & Compliance Committee and Member of People & Culture Committee.
Kim Jacobs AM
Chairman
Kim Jacobs AMChairman
Qualifications
MBA Macquarie University, LLB Sydney University.
Experience
Chairman of Inteq Limited, an Australian corporate, strategic and financial advisory house; Chairman of Local Measure, a social media analytics company; member of the Advisory Board of UTS Business School; former Chairman of the Australian Israel Chamber of Commerce; and Director of a number of private companies.
Special Responsibilities
Member of Strategy & Revenue Committee and Audit & Compliance Committee.
John Higgins AO
Non-Executive Director
John Higgins AONon-Executive Director
Experience
Chairman of the Higgins Group of Companies, a privately owned business that invests in a variety of industries in Australia and overseas. John has over 35 years’ experience investing and running companies in Australia, Europe and North America.
John is also a member of the National Gallery of Victoria Foundation Board.
He is passionate about education, having previously funded the Gerry Higgins Chair of Irish Studies and, more recently, the Chair of Positive Psychology, both at Melbourne University. From 2006 to 2012 John chaired the Melbourne Grammar School Learning & Leadership Advisory Board, which focused on all areas of learning and leadership from prep to Year 12.
Special Responsibilities
Member of People & Culture Committee.
Gary Edstein
Non-Executive Director
Gary EdsteinNon-Executive Director
Qualifications
Management Certificate, College of TAFE; Diploma of Marketing, CIT/Holmes College; and Executive Program, University of Michigan, GAICD.
Experience
CEO/Senior Vice President for DHL Express AU/PG; Board Chairman DHL Express Australia; Member DHL Express Management Board Asia Pacific excluding China; Director Tasman Cargo Airlines; and Director CAPEC Australia.
Special Responsibilities
Chair of Strategy & Revenue Committee.
Cameron Clyne
Non-Executive Director
Cameron ClyneNon-Executive Director
Qualifications
BA Sydney University.
Experience
Chairman of Camel Partners, a private advisory firm, and the Camel Foundation. Director of the Western Sydney University Foundation, The Whitlam Institute; Adjunct Professor at WSU Business School; and Patron of the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue.
Former Chairman of Rugby Australia and Member of World Rugby Council. Former Group CEO of National Australia Bank Group and Chairman of Clydesdale Bank.
Special Responsibilities
Chair of People & Culture Committee.
David Morris
Non-Executive Director
David MorrisNon-Executive Director
Qualifications
BEc (Accounting Major), Sydney University; LLB, Sydney University; and Harvard Business School Leadership Program.
Experience
Formerly Head of M&A and Corporate, KPMG Law Australia; Joint Global Head of M&A and Corporate, KPMG Global Legal Services; and Member of the Global Leadership Group of KPMG Global Legal Services. David is a senior corporate lawyer specialising in the provision of M&A, corporate, capital markets and corporate governance advice.
Special Responsibilities
Member of Audit & Compliance Committee & Board Member of The Oranges Toolkit.
Kate Burleigh
Non-Executive Director
Kate BurleighNon-Executive Director
Qualifications
MBA University of Technology, BA Sydney University.
Experience
Current Country Manager and Director, Amazon Alexa, Australia/NZ; Member of Board of Governors, Wenona School; 2016 UTS Business School, Alumni of the Year; Master of Business in Marketing (UTS), BA (Syd Uni). Former Managing Director, Intel Australia/NZ and Director of the Australian IT Industry Association.
Special Responsibilities
Member of Strategy & Revenue Committee and People & Culture Committee.
Damon Fealy
Non-Executive Director
Damon FealyNon-Executive Director
Qualifications
BInfTech Griffith University, GradDipMuTech Queensland Conservatorium, MAICD.
Experience
Damon has over 25 years’ experience in IT and business, and runs specialist boutique technology advisory practice Oakland Traleen. He has founded and successfully exited his own ICT business, and sits on the Board of Travello and several other private companies. He works with and invests in early stage and start-up companies, and sits as an Industry Fellow with the School of ICT at Griffith University.
Special Responsibilities
Board Member of The Oranges Toolkit.
Dr Karen Luxford
Non-Executive Director
Dr Karen LuxfordNon-Executive Director
Experience
Dr Karen Luxford is the Group CEO, Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) & ACHS International. She has extensive experience in governance, strategic planning, safety and quality and healthcare standards, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and leading organisational change.
Dr Luxford is a senior executive in health with over 25 years’ experience in a range of leadership roles in the public, not-for-profit and private sectors. These include CEO, Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons; A/g CEO and Executive Director, Clinical Excellence Commission NSW; and GM of the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre in Australia.
She is a Board member & President-Elect of ASQua; the former Board Chair of Endometriosis Australia (NFP charity); Board member of the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) in NSW Health; Board member of Camp Quality (NFP charity); Council member of Standards Australia; Member of the ISQua Accreditation Council; Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD); Certified Health Executive (CHE) and Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM) and the Australian Institute of Managers & Leaders (IML). Dr Luxford is an alumni Harkness Fellow in Healthcare Policy & Practice, Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA, and is passionate about health care.
Susan Neuhaus AM CSC
Non-Executive Director
Susan Neuhaus AM CSCNon-Executive Director
Qualifications
MBBS, PhD, FRACS, FAICD, FAMA D.Dip Proj Mangt & Qual Audit
Experience
Susan has more than 25-years’ experience as a surgeon specialising in management of rare cancers, and has been actively involved in research, training and clinical trials.
Susan is the current Chair and President of the South Australian-Northern Territory Division of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and serves on a number of boards including Council of the Australian War Memorial and Aspen Medical. She has experience in governance, strategic planning and assurance across a range of sectors, including defence, health and research, commercial, government and Not for Profit (NFP) entities. Susan was previously a Non-executive Director of Cancer Council South Australia.
Catherine Sayer
Non-Executive Director
Catherine SayerNon-Executive Director
Qualifications
Bachelor of Business, Marketing (South Australian Institute of Technology, now University of South Australia), Diploma Australian Institute of Company Directors
Experience
Catherine is the inaugural CEO of Food South Australia Inc., the state’s peak industry body for food and beverage manufacturers and producers. Catherine leads a team of staff based in Adelaide, China and Japan, and works with all levels of government and through the media as an advocate and voice for the sector. She is also Chair of KIN Premium Australian Seafood, Board member of Seafood Industry Australia and the Glenelg Football Club, as well as a number of other agribusiness boards and committees.
Rilka Warbanoff
Non-Executive Director
Rilka WarbanoffNon-Executive Director
Experience
Rilka is a cook, entrepreneur, author and radio personality. While still at university, Rilka joined the family supermarket and hospitality businesses, running the Barossa Motor Lodge and winning the South Australian Tourism Award in 1982. In the early 1990s, Rilka established an Executive Placement business in Melbourne, acting as a global corporate recruiter and twice being named a finalist in the Telstra Business Woman of the Year awards.
A published food author, Rilka also has weekly radio segments on Nova’s FiveAA in Adelaide. She is known for her contribution to the community, serving on many boards and advising NFPs on fundraising corporate governance, structure and people.
Her current board interests include: Camp Quality, Director; Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce, Director; Museum Victoria, Ambassador; CCH, Board Member; The Hospital Research Foundation, Director; FareShare, Director
Lauchlan Wallace
Non-Executive Director
Lauchlan WallaceNon-Executive Director
Qualifications
Bachelor of Engineering; Masters of Oil and Gas Engineering, University of Western Australia.
Experience
Lauchlan has enjoyed an extensive career as an executive in the resources industry in both technical engineering and leading the development of an innovative digital capability. He was recently the Chief Data Officer, and is currently commercialising digital ventures within Woodside Energy. Lauchlan holds particular strengths in strategy, digital transformation and innovation, and creating change from within.
A career highlight for Lauchlan has been driving a shift in attitude toward neurodiversity within Woodside Energy, and therefore creating a safe employer for people to be themselves. Lauchlan is passionate about people maximising their potential, and is always looking to build environments for this to occur.
REALLY IMPORTANT ADULT STUFF
Our voting members
Camp Quality welcomes a diverse membership to reflect the positive and optimistic spirit of supporting children and their families affected by cancer.
Directors and staff are committed to being accountable to Members. As part of our constitution, to become a Voting Member of Camp Quality you are required to submit a personal nomination form.
This includes being nominated by a current Camp Quality Member and a $27.50 annual fee. However, the fee is waived for any parent or carer of a current Camp Quality patient each year.
How membership works
Membership is available to any person with a commitment to Camp Quality’s objectives and mission, and who wishes to contribute to the cause.
The Directors will consider each application for membership at the next Board meeting after the application is received. The Directors may:
- accept or reject the application;
- or ask the applicant to give more evidence of eligibility for membership.
Responsibilities of members
Membership allows you one vote on any resolution at any general meeting of Camp Quality either in person or by proxy, however there is no obligation to vote.
The only obligation of a member is in the case of the organisation winding up. Under the constitution, if Camp Quality were to be wound up and there were debts/liabilities outstanding, each Member and each person who has ceased to be a Member in the preceding year would be liable up to an amount of $10. Please see section 54 of the constitution.
Useful links
Our Risk Appetite
As one of the most reputable children’s charities in Australia we accept that appropriate risk is a part of what we do to take advantage of opportunities that improve and expand our services and impact.
We understand that considered risks are an inherent part of delivering our strategy, innovating and creating long term sustainable value for all of our stakeholders.
Our Board, CEO and senior management team, formally set and agree our risk appetite as part of the discussions on strategy, as well as the approval process for the annual operational plan and budget. The oversight continues across the organisation through the Audit and Risk Committee. Risk and safety is regularly assessed by the Audit and Risk committee with full oversight from the Directors. This involves the Board discussing and agreeing the key factors which they believe can affect the level of risk we are willing to take to deliver our objectives and ensure we achieve our vision of giving kids facing cancer, the chance to be kids again, in a safe and inclusive environment.
Our full Risk Management approach document is available on request.
Our Investment Strategy
At Camp Quality we believe it is our responsibility to strategically invest donated funds in a manner that is both ethical, and of long-term benefit to all children and their families impacted by cancer in Australia.
Below are key sections of our Investment Policy.
Investment Objectives
- The Principal Aim of Investment
The purpose of the Camp Quality’s investment portfolio is:- To provide funds to be available for use in case of catastrophic events, leveraging strategic opportunities for managing the growth of the organisation and meet operational temporary working capital deficits.
- To ensure that prudent medium-term and long-term returns are maintained within reasonable and accepted levels of risk.
- To grow the underlying capital base of Camp Quality to assist in offsetting and managing the effects of inflation, and cash flow requirements over the short-, medium- and long-term.
- To maintain an appropriate asset allocation to achieve the above.
- Purpose of Investment Policy
The primary purpose of the Investment Policy is:- To protect and manage funds under management from ad hoc initiatives.
- To maintain a long-term outlook when short-term market movements may be distressing.
- To refine the criteria to evaluate different investment opportunities and managers.
- To allow Camp Quality to review the performance of the portfolio and the asset classes that comprise the investment portfolio against appropriately established benchmarks.
The overarching objective of this Policy is to define the investment objectives and assist Camp Quality and its appointed Investment Manager(s) to effectively manage, supervise, monitor and evaluate the management of Camp Quality’s funds and other assets invested.
Prohibited Investments
Camp Quality’s funds must be invested in compliance with all applicable laws. In addition, the Investment Policy will take into account ethical, social, environmental and sustainable implications of all investments. In particular, no funds will be invested in tobacco, nor in assets that have returns significantly reliant on alcohol, weapons and firearms, pornography and gambling, or in organisations involved in violation of human rights. The Fund Manager will be required to provide a declaration on an annual basis that Camp Quality’s funds are not invested in prohibited investments.
For Australian investments, the ASX General Industry Classification System (GICS) will be used to determine the categorised activities of a company.
