Current VVC members

Greg was appointed chair of VVC in February 2022. He was reappointed in February 2025. Greg is a retired member of the Royal Australian Navy. He served for nearly 50 years in the permanent Navy and as an active reserve. He brings a wealth of experience in the navy and the Department of Defence.

Greg joined the navy in January 1974, rising to the rank of Commodore in June 2016. He has worked as a principal warfare officer in the Executive Branch, having completed many sea postings including exchange in HMS Liverpool and his 2 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. He 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 10-year absence from the navy. He 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 Australian Defence Force (ADF). He served 30 years with the Royal Australian Air Force. This included operational service and tours in South East Asia and the Middle East.

Brett’s roles in the ADF were in ordnance safety, training, maintenance and explosive ordnance disposal. He also held roles relating to policies and programs for 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, the Department of Premier and Cabinet working with Traditional Owner groups throughout Victoria, and with the Victorian Public Sector Commission.

Brett was appointed as a member of the VVC in September 2022 and later appointed as the Deputy Chair in December 2024. Brett is also a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association.

John has had extensive involvement in veterans family advocacy and support for the past 10 years as a qualified advocate. He served as a rifleman with the First Battalion and served in East Timor in 2007. John was appointed to the VVC in November 2021 and reappointed in December 2024.

John has battled his own medical constraints post service and now supports others needing assistance throughout Australia to help them transition after service.

John holds positions on state and national boards such as the Deputy Commissioner’s Forum and the Operational Working Party. He 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. Lucy was appointed to the VVC in February 2022 and reappointed in February 2025.

As a public affairs officer with the Australian Army, Lucy has deployed on warlike military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Lucy 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 France between 2008 and 2013, Lucy had the privilege of supporting large-scale multinational military commemorative ceremonies. This included 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.

Lucy has qualifications and extensive experience in risk management, strategic communications and community engagement. This includes senior advisory and executive management roles in local and state government.

Robin was conscripted into the Australian Army in 1969 and, following officer training at Scheyville, was commissioned as an artillery officer. He saw active service in South Vietnam in 1970–71 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. He completed 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, chairing a charitable foundation and serving on the committee of a 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 that assist overseas students. He has 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.

Emily is the Community Services Manager at Melbourne Legacy. She has been a vital part of the organisation for over 7 years. With more than 14 years of experience in the social care sector, Emily brings extensive expertise and deep empathy to her work supporting the families of veterans.

Emily holds a Bachelor in Counselling, an Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management and a Graduate Certificate in Career Development and Career Counselling.

Throughout her career, Emily has held specialist practitioner roles, including Child Protection Practitioner, Homeless Youth Specialist Practitioner and Family Violence Specialist Practitioner. Her professional journey is grounded in both frontline experience and strategic service delivery, with a consistent focus on trauma-informed, holistic and client-centred care.

Emily's academic and practical background reflects a strong commitment to empowering individuals and communities through evidence-based practice and compassionate engagement.

At Melbourne Legacy, Emily works closely with families facing complex challenges. These include mental health issues, substance use, intergenerational trauma, family violence and homelessness. Her approach is informed not only by her professional training but also by her lived experience. This enriches her capacity for empathy, advocacy and authentic support.

Emily is dedicated to improving the wellbeing of veterans and their families, particularly during critical periods of transition.

Peter was appointed to the VVC in July 2024. He brings 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. He transferred to the Australian Regular Army in May 1984. He served in different Corps including RACT, RASVY and RASIGS with multiple operational service. Peter transferred back to the Australian Army Reserves in 2012. He currently holds a position of Warrant Officer Class One within Land Combat College.

For more than 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 and Services League Victorian Branch.

Peter also had a 10-year stint within the Department 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. During this time, he managed construction and humanitarian aid projects 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. This includes 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. In this role, he provides strategic advice to the Austin Health Board.

Chris keeps fit by walking, riding and going for the occasional swim. He is a strong advocate of exercise as a way to provide social networks and improve physical and mental health.

Pippa served in the Royal Australian Navy during the 1970s before being forcibly discharged (medical) under Defence’s historic anti-LGBTIQA+ 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. She 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 more than 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, then an officer, while completing her degree. Fast forward 3 decades, she has held appointments as a Brigadier – Deputy Commander of the 2nd (Australian) Division and Commander 4th Brigade (Victoria and Tasmania). She was recognised for her exceptional service to the Australian Army in the King’s Birthday Honours 2025 and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

Michelle deployed to the Afghanistan war in 2014. She received the NATO Meritorious Service Medal for her leadership and exceptional contribution. Closer to home, Michelle has served Victorian communities in 3 ADF bushfire assistance operations.

Michelle is dedicated to an impartial and respectful approach. This includes preserving our monuments, commemorating service and rewarding and recognising our veterans.

Michelle’s numerous qualifications support her senior executive leadership expertise in strategy and complex project portfolio management. She consults to a variety of multinational, state and federal government clients across multiple sectors.