Tanja Kovac

Chairperson

Joined Burrinja Board 2017

Tanja is a writer and director at communications, leadership and justice consultancy, Kovac & Co.

After a decade of student activism at school and university, Tanja commenced work as a solicitor at Slater & Gordon, working in the firm’s Public Interest Unit, where she was responsible for a number of high profile human rights cases, including the Richmond Secondary College police “baton charge” and for Amnesty International in the case concerning refugees aboard the MV Tampa. Tanja also volunteered in community legal centres providing legal support to victims of the Black Saturday Bushfires. 

Tanja has managed several small non-profit organisations in the faith, women’s and human rights sectors, where she was responsible for all aspects of strategic and operational leadership, managing fundraising and advocacy, cause-related marginal seat campaigns and volunteer engagement. 

Most recently she was Chief of Staff to the late Fiona Richardson MP, Australia’s first family violence prevention minister where she was responsible for overseeing Victoria’s strategic family violence prevention and gender equality agenda, including creating Victoria’s first Gender Equality Strategy.

Tanja has extensive experience with print, radio, TV and online media. Her writing has featured in The Age, Daily Telegraph, Crikey, MammaMia, New Matilda and more.

Dr Elizabeth Dax

Deputy Chairperson

Joined Burrinja Board 2019

Elizabeth Dax retired from her career in medicine and science in 2009. She is a director on three not-for-profit boards, including Chair of the Dax Centre Ltd. Her last appointments (1990-2009) were as director of the National Serology Reference Laboratory, Australia and the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre on diagnostics of blood born viruses.

Simon Mahony

Treasurer

Joined Burrinja Board 2019

Simon is a very experienced business and finance professional with over 30 years’ experience in senior/executive management. He has been the Chief Financial Officer for a number of large Victorian statutory authorities and has been working with Boards for over 20 years. His career has spanned both the private sector and public sector and has crossed many diverse industries.

He has served Boards operating in Art and Cultural, Recreation and environment and is an Independent member on Local government Council’s Audit and Risk Committees.

Simon has extensive expertise in corporate governance, financial and business management, strategic thinking and risk management. He is Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fellow member of CPA Australia.

Simon and his family have been frequent visitors to the Dandenong Ranges for over 30 years and have always enjoyed the strong sense of community in the ‘Hills’ and are now local residents. 

Paul O'Halloran

Secretary

Joined Burrinja Board 1999

Paul has had a life-long interest in wellbeing and the relationship between communication, culture, art and sustainable communities. He is completing a philosophy/museology doctorate on the impacts of appropriating First Nations’ art.  He has qualifications in audiology, ergonomics, education and experience in corporate risk management and governance.

Aunty Janet Turpie-Johnstone

Board Member

Joined Burrinja Board 2014

Aboriginal Equity Pathways part of Jim Baa Yer Indigenous Unit - Australian Catholic University.

Board Member Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place (2005-Current)

Board Member Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service (Current) .

Baishakhi Connor

Board Member

Joined Burrinja Board 2021

Baishakhi works full time in the Australian retail industry and has extensive experience in strategy, finance and technology.

Born in a small Indian town, Baishakhi went on to carve a successful career spanning four continents and many different industries. Through her diverse lived experience, Baishakhi has a unique ability to connect with people and is passionate about driving lasting change to shape the future of organisations.

Art, music and community were an integral part of her growing up in small-town India, and life has come a full circle for her now living in the Dandenong Ranges and being a part of Burrinja. She is a passionate volunteer in the community and is Treasurer of the Menzies Creek Community Hall Committee.

Beyond work, Baishakhi is a foster carer, taking joy in watching children flourish in a safe, secure & consistent environment. She takes regular breaks for active travel, enjoys reading & penning thoughts in journals she has maintained since she was eight.