Board of Directors

National President

Max Barton

Appointed National President in  November 2012. Served as Deputy President 2012.Served as Queensland Division Director 2010/2011. Elected as National Deputy President in November 2011. A civil engineer who held senior government and corporate positions until retirement. During his working life and in retirement he has maintained a strong and active involvement in the broader community.

Immediate Past National President

John Wenban holds the position of Immediate Past President for the year 2013.

National Deputy President

Barry Ritchie PhD, FTS, FIEAust         

Appointed Deputy President January 2013 and Honorary Life Member November 2012. Chairman National Retirees Income Research Group since 2005, President of the Gold Coast Branch2004 .

A Mechanical Engineer, Business Manager, and Academic awarded a Centenary Medal for work in mining and energy research while serving in the coal industry.Led the Australian Management College Mt Eliza in the 1990s, sometime Professor of Management Southern Cross University.

National Vice President

National Treasurer

John Wenban

Appointed Treasurer November 2012 following 2 years as National President. Previously served as National Treasurer 2007/2010 and Queensland Division Director 2005/2006.

Formerly a Supply Officer with long service in the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy.

National Secretary

Elizabeth Grant AM Hon LLD (Monash), PhC MPS

Worked as a Pharmacist in retail and hospital

pharmacy until 1990, then became director of

Commerce Management Services (CMS) with Howard Grant. Now continues to operate CMS with Sue Hart, a director of the company.
A background in Politics and Community Services and an ongoing involvement with the National Health and Medical Research Council as a member of the Council and a number of principal and special interest committees since 1981.

Director – NSW Representative

Robert Curley

Served as New South Wales Director since November 2010. A former a mechanical engineer with 20 years experience in both global and local senior management roles until retirement.

Director – Queensland Representative

Ken McKay

Appointed to the Board as Director – Qld Representative in November 2012. Retired in 2004 after a successful career in Sales Management with Australia post. A.I.R. National Coordinator of the Baby Boomers Special Interest Group.

Director – South Australia Representative

John Yard

Served as South Australia Director 2009/2010. Following a short break was appointed in April 2011 again as South Australian Director. Retired after a career in life insurance and financial planning.

Director – Tasmania Representative

Robert Cleary      

Joined A.I.R.'s Northern Tasmania branch in 1998 after retiring from working in the motor industry, higher education, ice cream and frozen food industry in Sales, Marketing, Distribution, Financial Administration and Property Management.

Held the position of Treasurer and Branch President and is currently Tasmania Division President.

Director – Southern Cross Victoria Representative

Patsy Haywood

Appointed to the Board as Southern Cross Division Director in September 2011. Practised as a professional social worker for 28 years in children's welfare, rehabilitation and health. Final appointments were as Head of Department at two Melbourne public hospitals.

Director – Victoria Representative

Linda Martin

Appointed to the Board as Victoria Division Director in November 2010. A retired teacher and school principal with the Victorian Education Department holding a BA and M Ed(admin). Currently Chairman of the Albury Wodonga Eisteddfod.

Director – Western Australia Representative

Tom Rollo

Appointed to the Board in December 2011.
Prior to retirement was involved with engineering construction management within Australia and at overseas locations. Currently a branch secretary, a tax help volunteer and a member of the current WA State Govt Seniors Ministerial Council.