Governance
Habitat for Humanity Victoria is an Incorporated Association and a Public Benevolent Institution dedicated to providing decent and affordable shelter and housing for all those in need.
We are committed to working to eliminate inadequate and poverty housing. It is an Income Tax Exempt Charity and a Deductible Gift Recipient. It is also a Charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission.
No fees are paid to those serving as Directors. However, reasonable expenses incurred by Directors during the course of their role on our Board can be reimbursed. Every effort is made to keep all costs within reasonable and modest budgets.
The Executive Director is responsible for the day to day operation and management of the Association as delegated by the Board. The Executive Director meets regularly with staff to develop policies, monitor strategies and issues and the Association’s performance. The Executive Director also has oversight of the home building activities of our Chapters and the selection of our Partner families.
The Board makes decisions that are critical to the ongoing success of Habitat for Humanity, Victoria; including setting the Association’s strategic direction and establishing its policies. The Board is also responsible for:
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Endorsing the selection of Partner families;
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Approval of land purchases and budgets for Home Building projects; and
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Monitoring the performance of the organisation’s activities and overseeing its financial position.
Annual Reports
Click below to view and download
Habitat for Humanity Victoria Annual Report 2021
Habitat for Humanity Victoria Annual Report 2020
Habitat for Humanity Victoria Annual Report 2019
Habitat for Humanity Victoria Annual Report 2018
Meet the Board
Anthony Lennon - Chairman
Anthony Lennon joined Peet Ltd ,an ASX listed national residential property developer in 1991 and joined the Board of Directors in 1996.
Prior to becoming a non executive Director with Peet Ltd in 2015,Mr Lennon had a number of executive roles with Peet including establishing their operations in Australia’s eastern states and oversaw significant expansion.His responsibilities with Peet have included project management,broadacre acquisitions, marketing and financing.
Prior to joining Peet, Mr Lennon spent 3 years working in the United Kingdom with major international construction company,John Laing PLC. He is a former Victorian Board member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) and Chairman of one of Western Australia’s largest conveyancing businesses.
Philip Curtis - Executive Director
Philip worked as a lawyer in private practise between 1982 and 2009. He was Principal with Moores in Box Hill for 17 years and a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited specialist in Commercial Litigation for 14 years. He was also an accredited Mediator. Philip commenced his role with Habitat for Humanity in January 2010. He also serves as a Director and Board Chairman of Baptcare Affordable Housing Ltd. He is also involved in the Croydon Hills Baptist Church with a strong history of involvement in local community activities. He is a member of the ACID. He served as Director with Baptcare Ltd for 12 years; the last four as Chairman.
Philip is passionate about issues of justice and believes that the cycle of poverty can be broken and families can be given real hope for the future through initiatives such as the Habitat for Humanity affordable housing program.
Alan Harman - Director/Treasurer
Alan is the Client Director for Private Clients at Pitcher Partners, a firm he has been with for 19 years. With a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Masters in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning, and a Chartered Accountant.
In addition to his day-to-day role, Alan demonstrates his commitment to community service as a member of the Executive Committee of the New Community Ringwood (Church), a role that he has fulfilled for the last 7 years; and as a member of the Management Committee of the NCR Bargain Browser operation, an affordable and recycled clothing store. Alan was Chair of this Committee for its first 4 years.
Doug Elliott - Director
Doug is a Registered Building Practitioner with extensive experience in the construction industry. He also holds Certificate IV qualifications in Building and Construction, Training and Assessment and Work Health & Safety.
He is a Director of Delpro Building Group. He is currently teaching at the Builders Academy Australia (since Jan this year) as a Contract Trainer (Building and Construction). He has experience working with Registered Training Organisations and has a passion to share his industry knowledge and experience with those in the building industry.
Natalie Elliott - Director
Natalie’s career has spanned across senior roles in public health, finance and philanthropy. She has specialised in the advice, development and implementation of philanthropic strategies and practice models for some of the largest private philanthropists in Australia.
This has resulted in the effective distribution of more than $500m AUD over the past 10 years. The impact of this work is now evident across the Philanthropy landscape in Australia.
In her current role Natalie works exclusively for the Cooper Family Office, spanning private investment, philanthropy and social enterprise activities. She serves as the Chair of the 16th Street Foundation. Natalie is also an advocate for reform in the mental health care system, in which too many Australians do not have access to appropriate care and treatment.
Philip Burns - Director
Phil is the Founder and a Group director of Sinclair Brook, a leading property services company which has been involved with the creation and delivery of some of Melbourne’s most iconic residential and mixed use projects.
Phil’s role includes playing a leadership role with the Sinclair Brook team and working with clients and project partners to identify, create and structure major projects in Australia and offshore.
He has also worked with the charitable and not for profit sector which is an expression of a passion to serve others.
Maurice Benington - Director
After a 20 year career in building services consultancy in both the UK and Australia Maurice transferred to leading the community development expression of Stairway Church Whitehorse (SCW) in 2007.
He is currently responsible for a wide range of SCW programs working with ministry leaders to realise the culture of SCW. Maurice also sits on most governance boards/committees of SCW and is the chair of a small philanthropic charity expression of SCW.
Thera Storie - Director
Over 25 years Thera has crossed a range of sectors from unions at the Australian Services Union to overseas aid at World Vision Australia, residential and community aged care, disability, family services at Baptcare to healthcare at St John of God Healthcare.
More recently Thera has served the community at the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority, the Bureau of Meteorology, early childhood education at bestchance and faith based financial services and community housing.
With over 15 years of non-executive board and executive leadership experience, continuous improvement of operations and lifting people, culture and performance are Thera’s focus. With a true love of lifelong learning, Thera has exemplary qualifications, was ranked first in her Master of Human Resource Management, has an MBA from Melbourne Business School and a Bachelor of Business (Honours), a Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma in Project Management, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and an Executive Certificate in Positive Psychology Coaching. Thera is also a member and Graduate of the Company Directors Course (GAICD) and a Fellow with the Australian Human Resources Institute. Thera has been actively involved with Crossway Baptist Church for over 20 years.