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The CVGT Employment team
CVGT Employment has a diverse workforce of people who believe in our purpose of connecting more people to meaningful work. We are proud that our team brings the skills, passion and compassion to support the work we do.
A career at CVGT Employment is more than just a job. It is an opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives and make an impact in the many communities in which we live. Our team is close to 400 members and we are continuing to grow, offering many others the opportunity to join our team.
Through actions, we are committing to ensuring CVGT Employment maintains a social and collaborative culture.
Board of directors
The Board of eight members is responsible for the governance and strategic oversight of the organisation. It is a professional and diverse team with a broad and complementary mix of skills and experience.
Lee Bombardieri
Member of the Board since September 2017. Mr Bombardieri is a former General Manager of a large manufacturing and construction materials supply company based throughout regional Victoria and Southern New South Wales, and is presently employed as a Project Manager on a significant Victorian infrastructure development. He has also served as Shareholder, Director and Dealer Principal of a multi franchise regionally based automotive dealership for a number of years. Mr Bombardieri has 26 years of extensive commercial experience in leadership and manufacturing with a particular strength in business acquisition and integration. Mr Bombardieri is currently a member of the Finance Committee, St Therese’s Parish, Kennington and has previously served as Chairperson of a number of education sector governance Boards and Committees.
Judith Holt
Ms Holt was appointed as an independent member of the CVGT Board Audit & Risk Sub Committee in January 2019 and was appointed to the Board in September 2019. Ms Holt has held senior management roles in local and state government for 25 years and recently held the positions of Executive Manager Organisational Capability at the Mount Alexander Shire Council, and Acting Chief Executive Officer of Loddon Shire Council. She also serves as a Director of GWM Water, and is independent Chairperson of the Dhelkunya Dja Land Management Board Audit and Risk Committee and Fosterville Gold Mine Environment Review Committee.
Dave Richardson
Member of the Board since September 2016. Mr Richardson has extensive experience in strengthening engagement with industry, government and the community and has held a wide number of executive management roles. He currently serves as the Head of Campus for Bendigo‐Kangan TAFE, and prior to that was the Partnerships Manager for Deakin University, and was the Chief Executive Officer of Strategem Financial Group (2007 ‐ 2016). Mr Richardson is Chair of the Victorian Government’s Regional Partnership for Loddon Campaspe (2018 – present) and is a member of the Regional Development Advisory Committee (RDAC) to Minister Harriet Shing. He was previously an Independent Director of Coliban Water Authority (2014 ‐ 2019) and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (2016 ‐ 2019). Mr Richardson holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Masters of Business Administration and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Elizabeth Corbett
Member of the Board since 2016. Ms Corbett is an experienced nonexecutive director, small business owner, tertiary educator and management consultant having worked with organisations across Australia and internationally. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has 26 years’ governance experience on a range of boards within government, health, community services, disability and professional associations. Ms Corbett has held numerous office bearing positions, including as the chair of Yooralla Society Victoria, treasurer of General Practice Support Services Ltd. and president of the Victorian State Government’s Disability Services Board. In addition to the position with CVGT Employment, Ms Corbett is the Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Daylesford Macedon Tourism Ltd.
Jan Boynton
Member of the Board since September 2016. Ms Boynton has more than 27 years’ experience in executive positions including: Former Regional Director with Regional Development Victoria, CEO of Radius Disability Services and Director, City Strategy with the City of Greater Bendigo. Ms Boynton is a current Non‐Executive Director of Haven; Home, Safe; North Central Catchment Management Authority; the Bendigo Jockey Club (serving as Deputy Chairperson); and is Chairperson of Lifeline Central Victoria and Mallee and the Bendigo Art Gallery respectively.
Paul Macartney
Member of the Board since September 2017. Mr Macartney is the CEO of Fixus Technologies, a software development business that specialises in creating software solutions for the health industry. He has held executive level roles with a digital flavour for more than 25 years. Mr Macartney has previously served Regional Chair for the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2016–2020), as a Non–Executive Director of the Central Victorian Business Network (2007 – 2008), the Bendigo Business Council (2008 – 2009) and Community Foundation Central Vic (2013 – 2015) boards. In addition to his Director position at CVGT Employment, Mr Macartney also sits on the Board of bHive Bendigo.
Fleur Jackson
Member of the Board since September 2017. Ms Jackson is an accredited ‐ specialist in personal injury law, employed as Senior Legal Counsel, Work and Road Claims Victoria at Slater & Gordon Lawyers. Admitted to legal practice in 2003, Ms Jackson has established herself as an expert in WorkCover and common law injury claims, with additional experience in public liability and motor accident litigation. Ms Jackson also serves as a Director and the Deputy Chairperson of Girton Grammar School, while being a member of the Law Institute of Victoria, The Australian Lawyers Alliance, and the Bendigo Law Association. She previously served as the Honorary Secretary of Lifeline Central Victoria and Mallee (2017 – 2020). She is also a Member of the Law Institute of Victoria Workers Compensation Committee.
Helen Symes
Member of the Board since January 2019. Ms Symes is a Certified Practising Accountant and has over 28 years of diverse finance experience across a wide range of industries from healthcare, emergency services, corporate agriculture, media and public practice. She has held senior finance roles in both private and government organisations, including Ambulance Service Victoria, Warakirri Pty Ltd and Wimmera Health Care Group. She is also a partner in a dryland farming enterprise; and is also a Non‐Executive Director of Coliban Water, chairing the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.
Executive management team
Led by CEO Jason Russell, CVGT Employment’s Executive Management Team is responsible for the daily operations of our business. Our leadership team has extensive industry experience and strong skillset to enable the wider team to deliver results, and further cement CVGT Employment as a leader in delivering employment services to a wide range of people.
Jason Russell
Jason Russell joined CVGT Australia in 2019 to lead the business. He was attracted by the commitment of the board to the organisation’s purpose, employee welfare, and to providing quality service to jobseekers and employers. He comes from a background in local government, having worked for three years as chief executive of the Kerang-based Gannawarra Shire Council, followed by a four-year term at the Campaspe Shire in Echuca. Jason has also sat on the boards of several groups, including the Campaspe Cohuna Local Learning Employment Network, Murray Tourism Board, Kyabram Fauna Park, Rural Councils Victoria and numerous regional development committees. He enjoys having a positive impact on the people who use CVGT Employment’s services and helping people to change their lives. He believes the difficulties facing job seekers trying to navigate the employment system are underestimated but finds it rewarding to see how securing a job can improve a participant’s confidence and sense of self-worth.
Fleur Cousins
Fleur is a vastly experienced executive, having arrived here at CVGT Employment after 27 years in local government, as well as community and corporate services roles in Victoria. Her career focus has been on providing meaningful services, while providing opportunities for people to have better outcomes. These passions drew Fleur to CVGT Employment in 2022. She believes CVGT is a passionate, values led organisation focussed on making a difference to individuals and communities. Away from CVGT, Fleur is a Director on the Board for Moama Anglican Grammar School.
Amanda Finnis
Amanda Finnis loves the challenge of using digital technology to improve customer service and the efficiency of the business, which she describes as being on a transformational journey. Amanda joined CVGT Australia in 2020 after a varied career across book publishing, education, government departments and Coliban Water. Amanda chooses to work for CVGT Employment because it focuses on helping people find work. She believes employment is one of the most important parts of people's lives – not just so we can afford a decent standard of living, but because it adds to our sense of wellbeing and worth.
Matt Frecker
A big reason for Matthew Frecker joining CVGT Employment in 2017 was a desire to give back to community, knowing that the organisation is not-for-profit and our funds are reinvested in the communities we serve. He takes pleasure in knowing CVGT’s work is assisting thousands of clients in creating employment opportunities and hearing those positive news stories attracted him to the industry. Before his time with CVGT Employment, Matthew worked for a decade as an auditor across multiple industries. He holds a degree in Commerce and has completed the CPA Australia program.
Mark Little
Mark Little is one of our longest-serving leaders, having joined CVGT Employment in 2003. Working for CVGT provides him the opportunity to enact his values of social justice, inclusion, compassion, community engagement and citizenship, while being afforded flexibility, authenticity, creativity and autonomy. He has extensive experience and qualifications, including the Social Impact Fellowship with the Social Impact Hub, International Specialised Skills Institute Fellowship, training through the Institute of Managers and Leaders, an MBA completed through La Trobe University, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Tania Morton
Bringing a wealth of experience from the public sector, Tania Morton is leading a large and diverse team here at CVGT Employment. She is passionate about achieving change for people and communities, giving purpose and helping them to overcome challenges through meaningful employment. Tania arrived at CVGT after more than 30 years with the Victorian justice department, having most recently been the Loddon Mallee's Regional Director and overseeing teams in areas such as youth justice, community corrections and corporate services. She has extensive training in leadership and management.