Current VVC members

Greg Yorke AM CSC was appointed Chair, Victorian Veterans Council in February 2022. Greg is a part-time member of the Royal Australian Navy and holds the position of Senior Naval Officer Victoria. He brings to the position of Chair a wealth of experience in the Navy and the Department of Defence.

Greg Yorke joined the Navy in January 1974, rising to the rank of Commodore in June 2016 and has worked as a Principal Warfare Officer in the Executive Branch, having completed many sea postings including exchange in HMS Liverpool, and two most successful Commands, HMAS Gladstone a Fremantle Class Patrol Boat, and HMAS Arunta, an ANZAC Class Frigate.

He was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for his leadership role as Chief Staff Officer (Operations) Maritime Headquarters during Operation Falconer (Iraq 2) in 2003 and was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Greg also had a successful second career as a management consultant during a ten-year absence from the RAN and has been a non-Executive Director on the Board of the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum since 2017.

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 is a risk management professional and a veteran with a passion for community resilience building.

As an Australian Army Public Affairs Officer, Lucy has deployed on warlike military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and has also supported politico-military missions in the Gulf States and North West Africa.

Working in the Office of the Defence Attaché at the Australian Embassy in Paris, France, between 2008-2013, Lucy had the privilege of supporting large scale multinational military commemorative ceremonies including the reburial of 250 Australian and British World War I soldiers at the Fromelles Military Cemetery and planning the ANZAC Centenary Commemorations in France.

In 2018, Lucy was awarded the Australia Day Medallion for service to Defence and Indigenous Communities.

With qualifications and extensive experience in risk management, strategic communications and community engagement, Lucy has held senior advisory and executive management roles in Local and State government and in 2019 was appointed the Executive Manager Community Safety at the Country Fire Authority, 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-LGBT 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, she has 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 a member of the Australian Governance Institute.