AIR Board Profiles
Key Positions
Neil Sambell - President
Neil worked in manufacturing (Trainee Industrial Chemist, Coats Patons 1970 -1971), mining (Laboratory Technician, Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter 1972 - 1973), Pathology (Medical Scientist, State Health Laboratories, mostly Virus Lab, 1978 - 1996), business owner, (Kumon Tutoring, 1997 - 2003) and was a teacher of maths and science, 2003 - 2023.
Neil has a Bachelor of Science, (Microbiology & Biochemistry), Curtin University (1978). Graduate Diploma of Business, (Computing), Edith Cowan University, (1987). Graduate Diploma of Education, Edith Cowan University, (1998).
Neil joined the Board of AIR in March 2026 representing Perth Northern Suburbs Branch. He was appointed President in July 2026.
Cynthia Wagner - Company Secretary
Cynthia and her husband John and family first came to Australia in 1995 as Business Migrants settling in Sydney becoming Australian citizens in 1997. In 2001, Joyce Chidgey, then NSW Division President of AIR and Board member recommended to then AIR President Joan Heard, that Cynthia be asked to fill a vacancy on the Board as its Treasurer during the transition from each state having its own corporation to the formation of the national corporate body under the 2001 Corporations Act. With background as a CPA, (Chartered Accountant) and operator of a family office of businesses in the USA the position was accepted and thus began membership in AIR.
The position as Treasurer was retained until Cynthia stepped down after the 2003 AGM while retaining membership in the Sydney Hills Branch of AIR. In 2015 Cynthia moved to Launceston and joined the Northern Tasmania Branch. She is currently the Branch Treasurer, Committee Member and produces AIRWAVES newsletter.
Cynthia rejoined the Board in April 2018 and became Company Secretary in November 2018.
Janice Ricks - Treasurer
Jan commenced work with Bank of New South Wales in Perth WA and after 5 years joined an international American based computer company in Wellington NZ as management accountant for 14 years. On returning to Perth she joined a leading real estate and broad acre property development company as management accountant. After 15 years she started her own real estate company in Subiaco WA which she sold in 2013 and semi- retired.
Jan holds a Bachelor of Business Degree (B. Bus (Acctg)); is a licensed Real Estate Agent and Licensed Settlement Agent. Over the years Jan has been secretary and /or treasurer of several sporting clubs; 35 years as treasurer for (NFP) Fairholm Disability Support Group (FDSG) now retired life member; life member ECU alumni; board member of (NFP) Amaroo Care Services Inc. for 16 years now retired.
Jan is past President of Perth Southern Districts Branch of AIR, past President, Treasurer and DMO for the former WA Division. Jan is the current President and BMO for WAe Branch and continuing AIR National Treasurer since November 2018. Jan joined AIR in August 2013 and currently proudly represents WAe Branch as a Director on the Board of AIR.
Jan originally joined the Board in November 2017.
Directors
Margaret Mourik - Director (Noosa)
Margaret joined AIR Noosa Branch in 2007 whilst still working part-time. She became the Publicity Officer in 2009 and continues in that role. In 2018 she became the Noosa Branch President & Division delegate. Her background is in education having taught classes from preschool through to university, with a focus on secondary. Her teaching subjects included Indonesian language, English, history and social studies.
Margaret was seconded to the QLD Department of Education as a public servant for several years. During her working life and in retirement, Margaret has been an active member of several volunteer associations: Noosa Boomerang Bags group, local Coast Care and Red Cross in addition to AIR. As an AIR Director and within her own Branch, Margaret’s focus is on attracting active, involved members in order to keep AIR vibrant and relevant.
Margaret joined the Board in November 2020. She represents Noosa Branch.
Neil Birdsall - Director (Sydney St. George)
Neil joined AIR Sydney St George Branch in Oct 2011. He serves on St George Committee as Newsletter/Web Editor. Neil has also served as Branch Publicity Officer and acted in the capacity of Meeting Chair and Secretary. He has written and published the St George Branch Newsletter since May 2017. Articles from the Newsletter are often republished in the AIR Active national publication. Neil has served on the AIR National Policy & Advocacy Committee since 2020, specialising in finance, tax and superannuation.
Neil is a retired Accountant (BBus, CPA), Finance Director (ACIS) and Educator (Dip Ed). He has business experience at senior management level in Manufacturing, Import & Distribution and Stock Broking. Neil has also served as a Trustee Director of an Employer Super Fund. His educational experience includes working as a TAFE NSW lecturer and also as an advisor in curriculum development. Neil continues to work as a semi-pro Club Entertainer (musician & singer) and, over his long part-time career in the music business, has also written and produced numerous songs that have received national and international airplay.
Neil joined the AIR Board in May 2026 and represents Sydney St George Branch.
Edward Caruana - Director (Sydney Hills District)
Edward has had many life experiences, however his main career was being a Lecturer in the discipline of Medical Radiation Sciences at the University of Sydney for over 20 years. Some achievements/awards: Grand Priors- St John Ambulance, Nicholas Outterside Medallion - Australian Institute of Radiography. He was a past Director (NSW Federal Delegate) for the Australian Institute of Radiography.
CHAIR for the committee that formulated the Constitution and the Professional Advancement Working Party. Edward has been an active JP (Justice of the Peace) for over 34 years. He is currently a member of the Hornsby Branch, where he serves duties on shopping centre desks. Edward joined AIR Sydney Hills District Branch in 2022, where he is currently BMO (Branch Membership Officer).
Edward joined the Board in November 2024. He represents Sydney Hills Branch.
Patsy Haywood - Director (Warrnambool)
Patsy Haywood graduated from the Melbourne University with Bachelor of Arts/Diploma of Social Studies, and pursued a social work career broken only by 10 years devoted to family responsibilities. She practised for 28 years, initially in the Victorian Government's Social Welfare Department, then at a rehabilitation centre, followed by leadership roles in two Melbourne public hospitals. Patsy's professional responsibilities provided her with extensive experience in organisational management, administration, policy development and teamwork. Patsy joined AIR in 2002.
She became the Victorian Division President & Board Representative in 2005 and since then has held various official positions at Branch, Division and National level. Patsy was the Chair of the organising committee of the 2012 AIR National Conference in Melbourne, which was the last one held. She was presented with a Victoria Award (nominated by the Melbourne Eastern Branch) in 2014, and awarded AIR Honorary Life Membership in 2015. Patsy was Editor of In Touch from 2013 – 2014 and has been Co-Editor of AIR Active since September 2018. Patsy is a member of the Warrnambool Branch committee.
Patsy re-joined the Board again in November 2023, representing the Victorian State Division until November 2025. She now represents Warrnambool Branch.
Christine Fraser - Director (Northern Tasmania)
Christine has extensive Board experience, including the Australian Library and Information Association, Tasmanian Electoral Commission, Code of Conduct Panels for local governments, Tasmanian Board of the Medical Board of Australia and the Housing Tasmania’s Housing Review Committee. She was a Fulbright Senior Scholar, James Cook Bicentenary Scholar, has worked as University Librarian at UTAS Launceston & Hobart, been General Manager of Kentish Council, part of General Practice Workforce Tasmania and a partner in The Write Business (which assisted governments, agencies and individuals to prepare and present documents).
Additionally, she has published extensively in the area of higher education, information resources & management and has contributed to her community in advisory roles. Christine joined AIR at the Devonport Branch and is now a member of the Northern Tasmania Branch. She was co-opted to the Board from 2023-2025 as Administrative Board Secretary.
Christine joined the Board in July 2026 and represents Northern Tasmania Branch.
Raymond Wyatt - Director (Perth)
Ray completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in at Perth University in 1966. He was a Commonwealth Public Servant based in Canberra for 17 years before moving to the WA Public Service. He completed a Bachelor of Economics at the Australian National University and a Graduate Company Director’s Diploma (GAICD ). He worked in WA Public Service Departments and Agencies in Perth for 14 years then he ran his own Management Consultancy business until 2023. Since then he focussed on family and voluntary organisations. Ray has been a Director of private companies for more than 40 years and has served on various governing bodies.
Ray became a supporter of AIR many years ago and actively involved for about 8 years. He has been Vice President or President of the AIR Peth Branch and for 4 years the Editor of the Perth Branch Newsletter. He believes that AIR is providing very valuable services for its members and Seniors generally which is why he accepted nomination to the Board.
Ray joined the Board in March 2026 and represents Perth Branch.
Janice Ricks - Director (WA e)
Jan commenced work with Bank of New South Wales in Perth WA and after 5 years joined an international American based computer company in Wellington NZ as management accountant for 14 years. On returning to Perth she joined a leading real estate and broad acre property development company as management accountant. After 15 years she started her own real estate company in Subiaco WA which she sold in 2013 and semi- retired.
Jan holds a Bachelor of Business Degree (B. Bus (Acctg)); is a licensed Real Estate Agent and Licensed Settlement Agent. Over the years Jan has been secretary and /or treasurer of several sporting clubs; 35 years as treasurer for (NFP) Fairholm Disability Support Group (FDSG) now retired life member; life member ECU alumni; board member of (NFP) Amaroo Care Services Inc. for 16 years now retired.
Jan is past President of Perth Southern Districts Branch of AIR, past President, Treasurer and DMO for the former WA Division. Jan is the current President and BMO for WAe Branch and continuing AIR National Treasurer since November 2018. Jan joined AIR in August 2013 and currently proudly represents WAe Branch as a Director on the Board of AIR.
Jan originally joined the Board in November 2017.
Jill Huck - Director (Darwin)
Jill has been semi-retired since 2016. Her background is in social work, social policy, professional regulation, and administrative review. She has worked at a senior level in government and non-government organisations, has held a variety of statutory appointments and has also worked as an academic. Jill first became interested in AIR after attending an AIR forum on Voluntary Euthanasia in June 2017.
She was impressed by AIR’s focus on providing relevant up-to-date information to retirees through meetings and forums, as well as its commitment to advocate for retirees on important policy issues. Jill joined the AIR Darwin Management Committee in 2020. In August 2022 she was elected as President of the Darwin Branch. Because of her position as President, Jill has also been appointed to the NT’s Ministerial Advisory Committee for Senior Territorians (MACST).
Jill joined the Board in November 2022. She represents NT Branch.
Board Members Co-opted
Terrence O'Callaghan - Media Coordinator (Sydney Hills District)
Terrence (Terry) O’Callaghan retired from full-time employment in 1997. Following retirement, Terry worked as an independent primary industry consultant for ten years working on a wide range of secondary and primary industry consultancy assignments. During that time he occupied a number of Board positions including a Trustee Director of Prime Super, a Board member of the Dairy Adjustment Authority and Company Secretary of WoolStock Australia Limited and Company Secretary of Agricultural Company of Australia Pty Ltd.
Terry has been recognised for his contribution and service to the dairy industry and service to community organisations through an Order of Australia Award and made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Terry joined AIR in 1998 and is now a member of Sydney Hills and District Branch. He served as Vice President and Branch Representative on the former Victorian Division Committee.
Terry served as an AIR Board Member from May 2016 to June 2021 and has assisted the Board as Parliamentarian and Media Coordinator since 2021.
Wayne Strandquist - Chief Advocate (Sydney Hills District)
After working in I.T. for large organisations including BHP, Rio Tinto, CSR, TAFE NSW and the NSW Dept of Education & Training for 32 years, Wayne retired in 2013 as a self-funded retiree. He has operated a SMSF with his wife since 1996. In 2015, he joined the Sydney Hills & District Branch of AIR and held a number of committee positions including Vice-President/Deputy President, Division/National Delegate and Coordinator of the Investment Discussion Group. At a National level he has been SMSF Special Interest Group Coordinator.
Wayne has been a member of the National Policy and Advocacy Committee (P & A) since 2016. In 2017, he was appointed Chair of the AIR National Review Committee, which led to significant organisational reforms. In March 2018, he was appointed Chair of the AIR I.T. Management Group. After being elected as Deputy National President in November 2018, he was appointed Acting National President. In November 2019, he was elected National President.
After his retirement as National President in 2023, Wayne was co-opted to the Board in the role of Chief Advocate.
Margaret Walsh - Health and Aged Care Advocate (Perth)
Margaret began her career in the healthcare sector working for 25 years as a nurse and a matron in country WA. She then spent 20 years as CEO of an independent community organisation in the disability field for which she received her OAM in 2011 for her services in that sector. Joining the Perth Branch on retirement in 2011, Margaret was appointed Branch President in 2013 and served as WA Director to the Board from 2014-2016 and Deputy President including Acting President 2020 – 2025.
She is currently Perth Branch Secretary, WA Working Group Secretary and AIR Representative to the Consumer Health Forum, CHSP Alliance and HRAWA Network. Margaret was a member of the Council of Elders, the Aged Care Taskforce and is a member of the WA Older Persons Health Network Expert Advisory Group and the WA Seniors Peak.
Annette Barbetti - National Aged Care Alliance (NACA) Representative (Sydney Hills District)
Annette retired in 2004 after 33 years at the Australian Bureau of Statistics. She had worked in IT and in several areas of population and economic statistics. After retirement, she joined the former Superannuated Commonwealth Officer’s Association (SCOA) and became its President in 2008 and served two further terms in that role, retiring in 2018. While President of SCOA, she also joined the peak body, the Australian Council of Public Sector Retiree Organisations (ACPSRO). She has been a member of AIR’s North Canberra Branch and the National Online Member Group (NOM).
She is now the Convenor of the Commonwealth, State and Defence Force Superannuants Special Interest Group (CSDFS SIG), which has a special interest in furthering the interests of public sector superannuation pensioners. She is AIR’s ACPSRO representative and is ACPSRO’s Vice President. Annette provided home care for her mother until she was 102, and later visited her mother in her aged care home almost every day until her death at 105.
She is AIR’s National Aged Care Alliance (NACA) representative and has also been heavily involved in NACA committee work relating to the implementation of the recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission.
Denis Bell - National Membership Officer (Warrnambool)
Denis joined the AIR Warrnambool Branch in 2023. He was invited to assist both the Treasurer and the Branch Membership Officer shortly afterwards, roles that he now fills on the behalf the Warrnambool Branch. Denis’ qualifications are in accounting, and he is a Certified Practicing Accountant (retired) who has worked in private enterprise and local government for over 40 years. During these years he has held positions ranging from Financial Accountant to the CEO of a registered training organisation.
More recently he has been heavily involved with the Port Fairy Jazz Festival in finance, IT and scheduling roles until joining AIR.
Denis was appointed the AIR National Membership Officer at the 2025 AIR AGM.