Centacare Housing Services Board

Neil brings a wealth of real estate knowledge to the Centacare Housing Board.

Neil is a qualified Real Estate Valuer and founder of Jens-Gaunt Real Estate. Whilst the Managing Director of Jens-Gaunt Real Estate, Neil grew the firm to become one of the top real estate organisations in the state.

Having sold the Jens-Gaunt franchises, Neil is currently a Real Estate Consultant, a Director and a Shareholder of four Real Estate offices, along with being involved in property development.

Neil has been actively involved in many community organisations, including serving as Board Member and Chairman for Child and Family Services and International Chair and Board Member of World Conservation Volunteers Alliance. Neil is also currently a Board member for Ballarat Foundation and a member of the Feed Ballarat Committee.

Neil was appointed to the Centacare Housing Board in March 2019.

Hal has been a leading figure in the social housing sector for over 30 years including founding Ecumenical Housing in 1985 and being the CEO for over 18 years.

He was Chairperson of the Victorian Ministerial Advisory Committee on the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program and a member of the Victorian Ministerial Advisory Committee on Housing in the 1990s.

Hal has served as a Director of the Australian Housing & Urban Research Institute and the Australian Institute for Health & Welfare and as Chairperson of the Community Housing Federation of Australia and the National Community Housing Forum.

In 2004 he established Ward Bisset Consulting through which he has provided housing policy and project development advice to all levels of government and numerous community housing organisations.

Over the last 6 years he has been a partner and Executive Director of Affordable Housing Solutions. In 2012-2013 he served as the CEO of the Central Australian Affordable Housing Company.

Hal is a member of the Australasian Housing Institute. He was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1992 and recognised for his contribution to social housing with a Centenary Medal in 2001 and investiture as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2005.

Kevin holds a Diploma of Business Studies, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a registered Tax Agent and a former registered Company Auditor.

Kevin is a committed volunteer in the community volunteering at St Vincent’s De Paul, St Patrick’s Cathedral and the Snake Valley Golf Club.

Kevin brings to the Board strong skills in finance, governance, systems development and implementation, business acumen and critical thinking.

Kathleen is a practicing Property and Commercial Lawyer at Hardwood Andrews, Ballarat and brings expertise in running property and commercial files to the Centacare Housing Board.

Kathleen is heavily involved in the Ballarat community, actively participating in Commerce Ballarat, The Young Professionals Network, Emerging Professionals, Ballarat Business Women and is a mentor for Runway Ballarat.

Kathleen holds a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Politics and Policy Studies, along with a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (Practical Training Course).

Kathleen was appointed to the Centacare Housing Service Board in February 2019.

Stephen brings extensive finance experience and local knowledge to the Centacare Housing Board, having owned and managed a large accounting firm in Ballarat for many years.

Stephen has served for many years on the Loreto Board and Finance Committees, along with the CEOB Audit and Risk Committee. Steven is also a Member of the DOBCEL Board and Centacare Finance Committee offering his finance expertise.

Stephen holds a CPA and CA membership.

Stephen enjoys spending quality time with his family and has a keen interest in Fly Fishing and his Canaries.

Stephen was appointed to the Centacare Housing Board in February 2020.