Nutrition Australia operates through a National Board and State and Territory Divisions. The National Board is responsible for policy and national programs and the State Sivisions are encouraged to respond to local needs and opportunities for nutrition education and health promotion.
Each State or Territory division of Nutrition Australia may appoint two National Board delegates. If a second delegate is not named in a particular state or territory, the Divisional Chairperson will nominate a second delegate before each half-yearly meeting.
2011 National Board Members
President: Barbara Ward, NSW
Barbara Ward is currently the Managing Director of the SAN Foundation at the Sydney Adventist Hospital. Barbara has worked in the Not-For-Profit sector for over 16 years and has held a number of prominent positions including CEO Exodus Foundation and Deputy CEO Austcare.
She has worked in a variety of capacities across many industry areas, including fundraising, welfare services, humanitarian aid, finance, human resources, state & local government and management consulting. In addition to Nutrition Australia, Barbara serves on a number of Boards both locally and overseas, including SHARE (SMR) Inc (President), Lupus Association, UGood and also provides advice in a non executive capacity to the Fundraising Institute of Australia where she previously held the position of Vice President (NSW).
Barbara also presents at various conferences both nationally and abroad.
Treasurer: Katy Laurich, ACT
Katy joined Nutrition Australia in 2006 when she arrived in the ACT, as an opportunity to build networks in the local nutrition community and contribute to the important work of NA. Nominated for the National Board at the 2009 AGM for 2010, she will continue another term representing the organisation in 2011.
Katy currently works for ACT Health as a Community Dietitian and the University of Canberra as a Clinical Educator. Previously she has had opportunities to work in Clinical Dietetics, Remote Nutrition, Health Promotion, Health Service Management (ACHSE), Outdoor Education and Ski Instructing.
"I have a passion for Health Promotion and enjoy my involvement with NA, an organisation that links a diverse range of professionals to promote these values."
Acting Secretary: Lucinda Hancock (NSW and VIC)
Lucinda Hancock is an Accredited Nutritionist (Dietitians Association of Australia) and is currently the Acting Secretary to the National Board, Convenor of Nutrition Australia’s National Senior Staff Committee and Executive Officer of the Victorian and NSW Divisions of Nutrition Australia. She is responsible for the implementation of all business strategies and operations across the two divisions including the development of sustainable statewide and national nutrition education programs.
Lucinda’s experience in health promotion spans over the past 12 years from working on specific projects in the area of public health and community nutrition to managing a non-government, non-profit national community nutrition education organisation. She is a Public Health Nutritionist and has completed a Masters in Human Nutrition Degree, Bachelor of Science Degree and is currently completing her Masters in Business (Philanthropy and Social Investment).
She is passionate about food, enjoys frequenting the farmers’ markets, a devoted member to slow food and married to a chef whose culinary talents lie in French cuisine.
Director: Amanda Devine, WA
Amanda Devine has been involved in research in the area of bone and calcium disorders since 1990 and she has co-authored more than 50 peer reviewed articles and 2 book chapters. She has co-authored more than 110 abstracts of which many she has presented at State, National and International Meetings. These publications and presentations have been in the area of nutrition, physiology and bone health.
Amanda is an Associate Professor in the Nutrition and Dietetics Program in the School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Science, ECU. She teaches several units related to nutritional assessment, nutrition through the lifecycle, trends in dietary patterns and exercise nutrition.
She has Accredited Nutritionist status with the DAA and is a Registered Public Health Nutritionist with the NSA. She has been a Director of Nutrition Australia (WA Division) since 2004.
Amanda’s new area of research has been supported by the Dept. of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (2007) and investigated the role of vegetables and fruit for health and healing. This study was translated into a practical cooking program, supported by the Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs (2008-09), and delivered to more than 100 Veterans in the community. Evaluation of the program and its impact in increasing the knowledge about chronic disease and fruit and vegetable consumption by the Veterans was significant. This lead to further funding by the Australian Government, Dementia Initiative Community Support Grant (April 2010) for a collaborative study between ECU, Council on the Ageing and NA ($49,675). A new model of translation to raise awareness by running community workshops about the role of fruit and vegetables in Alzheimer’s Disease prevention and practical based 4-week cooking programs to teach the community ways to put theory into practice is planned.
Director: Kiri Valsamis, NSW
Kiri Valsamis has completed a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Home Economics and a Graduate Diploma in Educational Computing. She also has completed trade Certificates in Commercial Cookery and Hospitality. Kiri has been teaching for over 25 years and is currently teaching a range of Technological and Applied Studies courses.
Kiri has taught in a range of socio-economic and academically diverse school settings and has undertaken a number of curriculum-based projects including: writing online resources and coordinating regional competitions and judging for the Board of Studies and Tournament of Minds; and co-authored food technology textbooks: Wholefood Book 1 and Wholefood Book 2.
Kiri is currently the President of the Home Economics Association of Australia (NSW) and a member of the Technology Educators Association and the Australian Association of Food Professionals.
Kiri is interested in supporting community food-based activities and events. She has judged regional Agricultural Shows and the Bankstown Pressure Cooks competition. She has also demonstrated at the Bankstown Festival of Flavour as well as for Nutrition Australia.
Director: Wendy Chan, WA
Dr Wendy Chan She Ping-Delfos completed a PhD in Nutrition following a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Sciences with first class Honours, both at Curtin University. Her postgraduate degrees involved conducting clinical trials, during which she accumulated extensive experience in all phases of acute and dietary intervention studies. The main focus of her postgraduate degrees has been on energy expenditure and metabolic syndrome. Dr Chan She Ping-Delfos would like to continue working in the field of obesity and related chronic diseases (CVD, diabetes etc).
Dr Chan She Ping-Delfos is currently the Chair of Nutrition Australia of WA and a committee member of the Nutrition Society of Australia Perth.
Director: Mark Zucco, VIC
Mark is a highly skilled and qualified professional, with significant experience in a range of business environments. He has over 10 years experience across a full range of strategic, operational and advisory projects. Mark's background in marketing and business development coupled with his business consulting skills enables him to draw on a diverse and unique range of skills when required. His experience extends across various industries including sports & leisure, professional services, manufacturing, banking and finance, transport and logistics, utilities and government.
Mark is currently the Chair of the Nutrition Australia Victorian Division Committee of Management.
Executive of the Board Public Officer: Lyn Brown, ACT
