Council members
Greg Yorke was appointed Chair, Victorian Veterans Council, in February 2022. He brings a wealth of experience in the Navy, the Department of Defence and the Veteran community to the role.
Commodore Greg Yorke, AM, CSC, RAN Rtd., joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1974, rising to the rank of Commodore in June 2016. He qualified as a Principal Warfare Officer in the Executive Branch and completed many sea postings. These include exchange in HMS Liverpool and two most successful Commands, HMAS Gladstone, a Fremantle Class Patrol Boat, and HMAS Arunta, an ANZAC Class Frigate.
Greg was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy in senior command positions in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours. He was also awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for his leadership role as Chief Staff Officer during Operation Falconer (the 2003 War in Iraq) at Maritime Headquarters.
Greg has been a non-Executive Director on the Board of the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum since 2017. He is passionate about Veterans, people and teams, and behavioural and organisational change and leadership.
Brett is a Yamatji man from Western Australia and veteran of the ADF, serving 30 years with the Royal Australian Air Force including operational service and tours in South East Asia and the Middle East.
Brett’s roles in the ADF related to ordnance safety, training, maintenance and explosive ordnance disposal, as well as later roles on policies and programs relating to Indigenous recruitment and retention, community engagement and mentoring. Since leaving the ADF in 2017, Brett has worked with the Victorian Government’s Department of Education in roles focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and training.
He is currently with the Department of Premier and Cabinet working with Traditional Owner groups throughout Victoria. Brett was appointed to the VVC in 2022 and is a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association.
John has had extensive involvement in the veteran family advocacy and support space for the last ten years as a qualified advocate. He served as a rifleman with the First Battalion and served in East Timor in 2007.
John has battled his own personal medical constraints post service and now engages in supporting others requiring assistance throughout Australia to help them transition after service.
John holds positions on both state and national boards, such as the Deputy Commissioner’s Forum and the Operational Working Party, and is also a Level 3 Compensation Advocate with the Victorian Veterans Advocacy Centre.
John’s extensive involvement extends further by being the Director of a social enterprise - Aussie Veterans Pty Ltd - established in Melbourne in 2017.
Lucy Saaroni is a military veteran and a risk management and strategic planning professional with a passion for community resilience building. As an Australian Army Public Affairs Officer, she deployed on warlike military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. She has also supported politico-military missions in the Gulf States and Northwest Africa.
Lucy worked in the Office of the Defence Attaché at the Australian Embassy in Paris, France, between 2008 and 2013. During this time, she had the privilege of supporting large scale multinational military commemorative ceremonies. These included the reburial of 250 Australian and British World War I soldiers at the Fromelles Military Cemetery. She also helped plan the ANZAC Centenary Commemorations in France.
In 2018, Lucy was awarded the Australia Day Medallion for service to Defence and Indigenous Communities.
Lucy has built a distinguished career in emergency management, strategic planning, and community engagement. She has held senior leadership roles across government and currently serves as an Executive General Manager at St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria.
Lucy continues to advocate for initiatives that support veterans and strengthen community resilience. In addition to her role as Chair of the Victorian Veterans Council Funding Sub-Committee, she is a Board Director at Vasey RSL Care and Scouts Victoria.
Jo-Anne O’Brien is a member of the ex-service community as a surviving partner and widow of a veteran. She has significant knowledge and lived experience of veterans’ welfare and the needs of veterans’ surviving partners and families.
Jo-Anne was nominated to become a member of the Council by Warrnambool Legacy Club.
In addition to her knowledge of veterans welfare issues, Jo-Anne brings to the Council significant experience working in the community and local government sectors areas relating to tourism and economic and community development, as well as a number of volunteer roles including with Rotary and the CFA.
Robin was conscripted into the Australian Army in 1969 and, following officer training at Scheyville, was commissioned as an Artillery officer and saw active service in South Vietnam in 1970-1971 with the 4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery. After completing his full-time national service obligation, Robin was allocated to the Army Reserve.
Following his army service, Robin then held various management positions at RMIT University while also completing a Fellowship in Public Administration and a degree in Business Administration. Robin's public sector career has involved roles supporting Victorian Government TAFE boards and senior roles with the then Australian Government Department of Industry, and in support of various Ministerial councils.
Robin left the public service to pursue business opportunities, and chaired a charitable foundation and was on the committee of charitable trust. He was at one time elected Vice President of Philanthropy Australia. Robin also acted as a trustee for several Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade loan funds aimed at assisting overseas students, and served on the board of a Victorian public hospital.
Robin is retired and devotes his time to pursuing many varied interests (especially military history) and in support of his family.
For the past six years Emily has been employed as a Case Manager/Senior Case Manager at Melbourne Legacy. She has recently been promoted to Community Services Manager in recognition of her understanding of the needs of the veteran community and her professional expertise.
Emily is passionate about contributing to the positive lives of transitioning veterans and their families. While working at Melbourne Legacy, Emily has supported many vulnerable and marginalised families of veterans, who are experiencing ongoing mental health concerns and multiple social issues such as: family violence, substance abuse, intergenerational trauma, homelessness, and risk of homelessness.
Emily has over 13 years of professional experience within the social care Sector, specialising in supporting at risk children, youth, families and older adults and was previously employed as a Child Protection Practitioner, a Homeless Youth Specialist Practitioner and a Family Violence Specialist Practitioner.
Emily has lived experience of Family Violence and has successfully completed a Bachelor in Counselling, an Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management and a Graduate Certificate in Career Development and Career Counselling.
Emily is highly motivated to promote the continued wellbeing of all members of the Victorian ex-service community. She is passionate about the promotion of co-operation and collaboration cross ex-service organisations dealing with veteran and family welfare and in promoting the spirit of service.
Peter Swandale was appointed to the Victorian Veterans Council in July 2024. He brings to the table over 43 years military service and lived experience in both the Army as well as the Australian Public Service.
Peter joined the Australian Army Reserves in November 1981 as a transport driver, Peter transferred to the Australian Regular Army in May 1984 and served in multiple Corps including RACT, RASVY and RASIGS with multiple operational service. Peter transferred back to the Australian Army Reserves in 2012 and currently holds a position of Warrant Officer Class One within Land Combat College.
Over the last 10+ years Peter has supported the Returned and Services League in Victoria. He has held many positions including Chair of the Bendigo Military Museum Sub-Committee, Senior Vice President and President of the Bendigo District RSL Sub-Branch. Peter is currently on the State Executive Board within the Returned & Services League Victorian Branch.
Peter also had a 10-year stint within the Dept of Defence – Australian Public Service as both a trainer and Quality Manager for the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation.
Chris grew up in country Victoria. His working life began with a formal trade qualification in carpentry and joinery with the Australian Defence Force. He spent 17 years with the regular Army, managing construction projects and providing humanitarian aid in Australia and overseas. Chris transitioned into the Army Reserve for a further 10 years before being discharged in 2018.
Chris is currently a member of the Executive Leadership Team at Vasey RSL Care. He heads up the Veteran Services Department, managing programs that address veteran homelessness and provide affordable housing for veterans and their families.
Chris has been a member of the Box Hill RSL since 2010. He served on the committee from 2019–2021 and has once again joined the committee in 2024. Chris is also a member of the Austin Health Board Consumer Advisory Committee, through which he provides strategic advice directly to the Austin Health Board.
Chris continues to keep fit by walking, riding and going for the occasional swim. He is a strong advocate of exercise, recognising its value in providing a social network and improving physical and mental health.
Pippa served in the Royal Australian Navy during the 1970s before being forcibly discharged (medical) under Defence’s historic anti-LGBTI policies.
Pippa has a strong connection to the veteran community. In addition to her own service, several generations of her family have served in the military. She is a member of the RSL and the Naval Association of Australia and is currently the President of the Ballan RSL Sub-Branch. She was also a founding member of the Discharged LGBTI Veterans Association. Through her involvement with the Australian Navy Cadets from 1972 to 2025, she had a long connection with the ADF’s youth development arm.
Pippa has a strong history of veterans’ advocacy and engagement with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. She also has significant lived experience of service-related injuries.
Pippa holds numerous qualifications and has 30+ years’ work experience in the community services, mental health and vocational education sectors. She also has qualifications and experience in business management, strategic planning and governance. Pippa is an affiliate member of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Michelle was studying at Monash University when a khaki-coloured recruiting tent intrigued her. She enlisted in the Army Reserve and trained as a logistician and officer whilst completing her degree. Fast forward three decades, her most recent appointment was Commander 4th Brigade, leading the Army Reserve formation across Victoria and Tasmania.
Michelle deployed to the Afghanistan war in 2014. For her leadership and exceptional contribution, she was awarded the NATO Meritorious Service Medal. Closer to home, Michelle has served Victorian communities in three ADF bushfire assistance operations.
Michelle is dedicated to an impartial and respectful approach to preserving our monuments, commemorating service, and rewarding and recognising our people – Veterans.
Michelle’s numerous qualifications support her senior executive leadership expertise in strategy and complex project portfolio management. She consults to a variety of multi-national, state and federal government clients across multiple sectors.
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