CANDIDATE PROFILES
MIKE SOMMERTON
B.Bus (IR) MBA GAICD
PHILLIP BRIDIE
AM, ADC; BSc(mil), GAICD
JOHN MASON • GAICD
REES JOHN
DAVID WOOD •
ANGE HUMPHRIES
TONY CHAHINE
DAVID GREEN
MBA, CPBA
MARK MATHIESON
JOHN PAYNE • BBus FFin MAICD
Your RSL merits a director who delivers. As Head of Industrial Relations for the Council of Small Business, I fight for members and know how to deliver value. My corporate and board experience delivers sound governance and fiscal responsibility. Further modernising our services with digital solutions while preserving our proud traditions with enhanced member benefits, and even stronger community connections. Castle Hill RSL Group has incredible potential. I bring the business expertise, member advocacy skills, and proven leadership to help unlock an inspiring vision. Your vote empowers meaningful change that will build a stronger, more connected club serving every member.
Castle Hill local since 1996. Graduated RMC Duntroon. Brigadier with Regular and Reserve Army service. Commanded local Royal NSW Lancers and 8 Brigade. Currently Lancers’ Honorary Colonel and Honorary Aidede-Camp to Governor General. 2014 deployed Afghanistan (Deputy Commanding General seconded with US forces). Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors. Current RSL sub-Branch Secretary. Previous subBranch President, and RSL NSW director and its Risk Committee chair. Previously Crisis Response Manager for large international IT company with expertise in risk and program management. Director leisure boating business. Wife long term Samuel Gilbert Public School teacher/librarian. Keen to continue serving local community.
John Mason has been a dedicated CHRG member for 26 years, currently serving as a Group Director. He has contributed extensively through roles on the Governance and Risk Committees and facilitated the current CHRG Strategic Plan. As Managing Consultant of a specialist consulting firm, John brings significant experience as a Non-executive Director, Board Member, Company Secretary and Chairman across government, membershipbased, not-for-profit, and unlisted commercial organisations. The son of a war veteran and war widow, John was raised a Legacy child who remains committed to supporting the veteran community and honouring the service of those who have served.
After serving in the Navy, I became a work, health and safety advisor and trainer in the construction, manufacturing and transport industries. As Vice President Commemorations of the Castle Hill RSL sub-Branch, I lead a team of members in the planning and delivery of Remembrance Day, Australia Day and ANZAC Day services. I am in the sub-Branch Welfare Team as an Advocate, assisting and supporting veterans with DVA claims. As a JP, I am an active member of the NSW Justices Association, Chair of the Cumberland Branch and serve on a community desk at Grove Square.
Current Director, Life Member of Club and Swimming Club. Over twenty years on Club Group Building Committee, qualified Civil Engineering Construction Superintending Officer, qualified General Inspector for structural concrete maintenance and corrosion control. Current Group representative at the Hills Shire Local Emergency Management Committee and disaster management assistance. Past Secretary of Group Sports Council, Patron of Adult Swimming Club, Dolphin Swimming, Past Castle Hill and Parramatta RSL Pipe Bands. Current sub-Branch Life Member and awarded a Meritorious Service Medal for over thirty five years service to the sub-Branch and RSL Australia.
As an experienced Director of non-profit and Registered Clubs I believe that I would bring a fresh perspective to the Board. As a Club Director for close to a decade and as a Councillor on Parramatta Council I have skills in corporate governance and board best practice. I am confident that I can work well with current Directors, management and members of the Club. As the Clubs grow and diversifies, I can apply skills in planning and compliance as well as my fundamental core belief that Clubs are member-based organisations and should always remain front of mind when making decisions.
1) Advisory Council Member – August 2024 – Present – Harvard Business Review. 2) Internal Auditor Finance – April 2021 – December 2024 – Wesley Mission. 3) Internal Audit Consultant – Roberts Family Group – July 2017 – June 2021. 4) Senior Manager Internal Audit – QBE Insurance Group – October 2000 – August 2017. 5) Treasurer – Easy Care Gardening (Volunteer) July 2016 – July 2019. 6) PFIIA – Professional Fellow Institute of Internal Auditors. 7) MICDA – Member Institute of Community Directors Australia. 8) Volunteer Auditor – Probus Beecroft Combined Club. 9) Member – RSL Photography Club.
A long-term resident of Castle Hill and member of Castle Hill RSL club with over 25 years senior Company management and board experience. Founder of Whiteboard Business Consulting Services. Expertise: Strategic planning, financial management, corporate governance, risk management. Board Positions: Director of Kemppi Australia/SE Asia, Chairman of CHMHC Pty Ltd property management/inc building development project, Company Secretary of Educate2Empower Ltd charity, Academic Qualifications: Post grad.Corporate governance & Risk management (GIA), Certified Business Advisor(IOA), Effective Director(GIA),Financial analysis(AICD), MBA,BA(Hons) Business studies, Professional Memberships: Institute of Business Advisors(IOA), Institute of Business Brokers(AIBB), Governance Institute of Australia, Australian Institute of Company Directors
Mark recently stepped down as President of North Ryde Golf Club after serving the maximum Term of 6 consecutive years (Director for 8 years). Other positions include Head Coach Lane Cove Rugby and Deputy GM of a Turf Racing Club. Mark has worked and consulted in senior management positions in several of Australia’s largest organisations across Government, Health, Insurance, Mining and Telecommunications. With an MBA (Technology) from UNSW, Mark has wide experience in that sector including Projects, Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. Mark lives with his wife, Linda in Castle Hill and has 3 adult children all living in Sydney.
Current Group President of CHRG and Trustee of Castle Hill RSL sub-Branch, with extensive experience in management and finance, gained in large financial institutions. Completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course and a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia with performance history in decision-making and a sound application of governance principles, ensuring a continued contribution to the Board and CHRG’s future. Past Chair of the Group Audit and Finance Committee and past Group Treasurer. Long term member of Castle Hill Fishing Club, active member of Castle Hill Fitness & Aquatic Centre and enthusiastic early morning Parramatta cyclist.