Contact us
Feedback
1800 819 775 Our Board of Directors
Volunteering their skills and experience from a wide range of sectors.
The Board of Directors is elected by the Members of the organisation for a two year period with half standing down annually. The Board is ultimately responsible for the governance and performance of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA). The Board consists of an elected President, a Chairman (these may be the same person), and other Directors. The maximum size of our Board is nine, and the majority of the Board have a disability. All Directors operate in a voluntary capacity. They meet at least once a month and more frequently if required. In addition, many of them serve on sub-committees of the Board, which look at specific areas of operation or issues of interest.
President
Christine Tink
Christine is the owner of an Australia-wide interiors and homewares business, selling to retail customers online; and directly to commercial customers.
With a lifelong career in the fashion trade, and currently employing over twenty staff, Christine is fully engaged with the needs of modern business. A motor vehicle accident in 2008 left her with a C4/C5 spinal cord injury.
Chairman
Michael Rabbitt
Michael has an extensive corporate career in the insurance industry at IAG and NRMA, which gives him a strong understanding of the needs of member-based organisations. His wealth of experience includes managing profitable portfolios, leading teams of people and developing and implementing strategy. Michael became a paraplegic as a result of a compensable work accident in 1992.
Deputy President
Brett Stevenson
Brett has owned and run an independent business offering grain marketing and price risk management services to Australian farmers for over twenty years. Long-term committed client partnerships are the core of the business.
Prior to that he spent time with Dalgety in commodity futures, and financial markets with ANZ, Midland and Swiss Bank Australia. Brett’s spinal cord injury, resulted in C5/C6 incomplete quadriplegia.
Deputy Chairman
Stewart Calderwood
Stewart’s corporate background is in the finance sector and he has more than 25 years’ experience in London and Australia, currently with Ord Minnett. Stewart brings to SCIA client relationship management experience across a wide range of institutional and corporate clients. Stewart became involved with the Back Up Trust, a UK charity, after a diving accident left him temporarily paralysed.
Board Director
Chris Nicholls
Chris owns and manages an accessibility consultancy, occupational therapy service, and a start-up rehabilitation platform that utilises sensor technology.
He has also held numerous management roles and worked at SCIA for ten years, has a background in IT, and is a current Board Member at Wheelchair Sports NSW. Chris is a T6 paraplegic after a motorcycle accident.
Board Director
Robert Vander Kraats
Robert is a fully qualified physiotherapist, having previously owned and directed three physio practices. He has also served as a committee member of Sports Physiotherapy Australia and as a Board Member of HeadWest.
In 2015, Robert suffered a stroke and as a NeuroMoves client, he is very keen to use his skills and experience to assist with the continued development of the NeuroMoves strategy.
Board Director
Paul Crake
Paul is the Director of Total Ability Pty Ltd, which supports people in the disability community with all aspects of driving and vehicular access. Through his previous role at KPMG he has in-depth knowledge of industry funding arrangements, working with the NDIS both from a participant and provider viewpoint, and developing viable business models in the Australian disability space.
Paul became a T4 paraplegic after being blown from his racing bike into a fence post during a cycling race in New Zealand in 2006.
Board Director
Leesa Addison
Leesa is a digital product and business transformation consultant, former Chief Information Officer and senior executive with 25 years’ experience working in technology and innovation.
She has worked as a CIO for both membership and disability organisations, with broad experience working across all types of business structures and sizes. She assists organisations to identify and develop new products and solutions and builds technology environments focussed on transforming business models, operating environments and managing enterprise risk.
Board Director
George Panos
George is currently the CFO of an Architectural and Design practice. He has extensive business, commercial and operational experience across several industries. George previously worked for companies such as PwC, CSR, GUD group and Boral. He is a qualified accountant, lawyer and has completed an MBA.
