Our Committee

Barb is the current CEO of the BDS Support Services, a not for profit disability support organisation based in Broadmeadows. Barb has worked in the disability sector for over 40 years in a range of roles and settings which include local government, DHHS and in the not-for-profit sector.

She is a current member of the CEO Institute and has served on several community committees including a long stint as President on her local school council. Barb has been on the Dallas Neighbourhood House Committee for over 10 years.

John Rutherford has a lifetime of experience in representing and helping others. For much of his career in the Building and Construction Industry he was an elected union official, first with the Plumbers and Gasfitters Employees Union of Australia and then as the Assistant National Secretary of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union.

A Broadmeadows resident for over 50 years, John has also served on many committees and working groups which include Broadmeadows Progress Association, Broadmeadows Residents Advisory Team and Northern Community Legal Centre.

Helen qualified in Special Education wanting to make a difference in children’s early learning and education. She has mainly worked in community based, Not for Profit Organisations and continues to serve on a number of community organisation boards.

Helen has worked with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, is sensitive to a diverse range of needs and has always been an advocate for Social Justice and individual rights.

Elected to Hume City Council she has served as both Mayor and Councillor between 2008-2016. She was known as the “Pink Mayor” advocating for Breast Cancer and was awarded the OAM in 2021.

Jenny holds a combined Bachelor of Arts and Law and is currently undertaking her Masters of Public Policy. She’s an experienced people manager and policy/project officer and has worked across public health, education and social policy. She’s current working as Project Officer at the Centre for Non-Violence.

Marquita has practiced law in both the private and community sectors and is currently the Legal Practice Manager (Principal Lawyer) at Northern Community Legal Centre. In addition to her position as a Committee Member with Dallas Neighboured House, Marquita is a Board Member with Juno (previously WISHIN), a volunteer with Victorian Women Lawyers, and an active law student mentor. 

Ivy holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration and currently working towards her Master's degree in Public Policy. She's an experienced marketer and has worked across different countries. She migrated to Melbourne in 2018 and has been working for the Chinese Museum for the past 2 years. She is a local resident and became a board member to serve the community recently.