Our Board is responsible for the governance and strategic direction of the RPH Australia Co-Operative.
Board directors represent our member stations within the RPH Radio Reading Network.
James Manders – Chair
Mr James Manders is a former investment banker with nearly three decades of experience in leadership roles across global financial markets. He currently manages a global advisory boutique and has held a number of advisory roles on various company Boards, working overseas as an Independent Director with a focus on governance and regulatory investments.
Mr Manders has leveraged his position in the financial services industry to increase awareness of the needs of people with disability in the workplace, advocating around diversity, inclusion and employment – critically through its core intersection through technology and innovation. He has lived experience of disability, with lifelong hard of hearing and gradual loss of vision, and holds a unique view on how society embraces the challenge of tolerance and acceptance.
Taking a leadership role in digital community media that aims to transform how the disability sector engages in tailored content, Mr Manders is currently a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and Independent Advisory Council for the NDIS. He is a non Executive Director for DEC Housing Ltd. previously Mr Manders has served as a member of the Disability Advisory Council for Elections ACT, Council Member – Retina Australia, ACT, – ACT Brumbies Commercial Services Advisory Group, Vice President – Radio 1RPH and Board Member – Blind Citizens Australia.
Conrad Browne – Secretary
Conrad Browne is the Manager of the Vision Australia Radio Network and Audio Department, which comprises of 11 community radio stations across Australia and the Vision Australia Audio Production and Audio Description departments. These services are designed to directly address the information needs of people with a print disability, particularly those who are blind or have low vision. Conrad’s career background is in media & advertising, previously working for JOY 94.9 and at Fairfax, Text Media and various community and student radio stations in Australia and New Zealand. Conrad has been a member of the RPHA Board since 2016.
Elizabeth Macdonald
Born and educated in the United Kingdom. Lived in Darwin Australia for over 20 years. Employed at Charles Darwin University initially, as Senior Administrative Officer in the Faculty of Science and then as Director, Support and Equity Services. After relocating to Hobart, Tasmania, in 2010 became a volunteer presenter and reader at Print Radio Tasmania. Currently, holds the role of President and Chair of their Committee of Management. Also, a member of the Board of Directors at RPHA. Holds qualifications in Advanced Mediation, enhanced skills in Management, Governance, including policy development, and community engagement.
Jason Gipps
Jason has been involved in the community broadcasting sector for 18 years, starting as a volunteer at Melbourne’s LGBTIQA+ community radio station with a passion to promote local queer musicians. From 2007 to 2018 he worked in a sponsorship and audio production capacity and became the longest running staff member within the organisation. Jason is currently Vision Australia’s National Audio Business Development Consultant and in this time has worked extensively to generate revenue opportunities for members of the RPH network and create platforms for people with print disability to share their lived experiences. With a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, Jason also managed an online radio station ‘Asian Pop Radio’ to promote the Asian arts and entertainment industry to local communities.
Paul Price
| Paul Price Paul is totally blind, and has been since birth. He has been volunteering at Reading Radio Brisbane since April 1999. He is currently a technical producer one day per week, and fills in on other days when required. He also undertakes on-air shifts when required. Paul has had involvement with RPH Australia since 2004, as delegate and Independent member of the board. He was elected Vice Chair of RPH Australia in 2018. Paul has a Bachelor of Information Technology at Griffith University, and a Certificate 4 in I.T. Client Service. He has a cat named Jill, and in his spare time, Paul likes to go camping and four-wheel driving with his wife. |
Anjelin Thotakura
Anjelin is an experienced chartered accountant with wide experience in financial services industry and disability sector. She has a huge passion to give back to the community and has demonstrated history of building teams to success. Anjelin has a strong finance, governance and reporting skills with vast internal and external audit experience. Her current role is with Vision Australia Limited as a Group Financial Controller with the responsibility to manage the overall financial compliance and reporting. Previous roles include external auditor with one of the Big 4 audit firms, Deloitte Touché and many years of experience with various financial services industry. Anjelin has been with the Board since 2017.
Graeme Craig
Graeme has worked in the Disability sector for the past 30 years in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia. From beginnings as a service provider in blindness and low vision services he has worked for the past 20 years in management and senior management roles. Currently he is the General Manager for National Programs at Vision Australia. A strong believer in the importance of accessible information for those who are blind or have low vision he is an enthusiastic supporter of community radio for this purpose. He is proud to be a Board Member for RPHA and a representative for VA Radio Perth (6RPH).
Libor Pelecky
Libor Pelecky is a senior executive in the Commonwealth Department of Finance. He has an extensive experience in public policy development, financial management and governance. As a member of the senior leadership group of the department, he is involved in setting strategic directions, managing organisational change and developing organisational capability. Libor is currently the Vice President of 1RPH in Canberra. Libor has degrees in economics and finance, has Masters of Business Administration degree from the Australian Graduate School of Management and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Steve Richardson
I started working for RPH Brisbane in 1993 while studying to become an audio engineer. My primary role is as a program producer, but I’ve also done time on-air, and presented a disability program for a number of years. I’ve been involved with the station’s board on and off since 1996, and served several terms as station rep for RPH Australia, part of which time I was the secretary. I’m currently the station’s vice-president.
I’m also undertaking study for my bachelor’s degree in counselling.
When I’m not doing all that, I’m an amateur musician, playing piano, drums and a bit of guitar. I need to confess that I’m a bit of a train spotter, and I love to relax in front of a nice fire with a good book.
We appreciate and thank our Board members for their time, dedication and ongoing commitment.
