VFA Board of Directors

Alphabetical by first name after Board Chair.

Mr Graeme Dear (VFA Board Chair)

Mr Graeme ‘Gus’ Dear has served on the VFA Board since inception. He has over 30 years of experience in public and private sector administration. A keen fisher all his life, Gus has extensive experience in fisheries practice, administration, research and policy. Gus is also a non-executive director of the Parks Victoria board.

Dr Anne Astin AM PSM (VFA Board Deputy Chair)

Dr Astin has held executive positions in government, industry research and development, and advocacy organisations. Dr Astin currently chairs the Board of Australia's Food Agility Co-operative Research Centre, is a non-executive director of the Adult, Community and Further Education, and Food Frontier Boards and a Trustee of Kildare Ministries.

She is a recipient of an Australia Medal (AM) and a Public Service Medal (PSM) for her services to Australia's food and agriculture industries. She is an inductee of Victoria's Women's Honour Roll, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Bernadette Northeast (VFA Director)

Dr Bernadette Northeast holds formal qualifications in fisheries management and aquaculture, including a PhD on genetics of Australian freshwater fish. Alongside her scientific expertise, she has extensive experience in governance, leadership and regional community engagement. Having served in board and chair roles, Dr Northeast brings a strong understanding of strategic governance, stakeholder engagement and organisational oversight. She is also a Director of the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Board.

Mr George Lekakis AO (VFA Director)

George Lekakis is an experienced industry leader with a 45-year social work career in leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector and the Victorian Government. He is currently the President of the Victorian Government’s creative and economic screen development agency, Vicscreen; and the Deputy Chairperson of Chisholm Institute. Previously he was Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission 2001-2010, its longest serving Chairperson. He has also served as the Chief Executive of the New Hope Foundation, Fronditha Aged Care, and was an Executive Director at the Department of Business and Innovation. His professional career has also seen him a member of many other Government and non-government boards and committees in various executive roles. George has been a keen angler throughout his life.

Ms Joelle Tabone (VFA Director)

Ms Tabone is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years' experience providing business advisory and compliance services to a wide range of private, government and not-for-profit organisations. Ms Tabone’s expertise spans several disciplines, including business strategy, accounting, structuring and financial reporting. Ms Tabone’s significant business, governance and accounting skills enables her to assist the VFA from a position of knowledge and experience.

Ms Wambui Migwe (VFA Director) 

Ms Migwe is a strategic engagement and brand management professional with more than 20 years' experience in Australia and overseas. With academic qualifications in Finance and International Relations, Ms Migwe has held roles in infrastructure, not-for-profit and consumer goods sectors, always with a focus on strategy and engagement. Ms Migwe's professional experience is complemented by governance roles in the education and environmental management sectors, and membership to the Australian Institute of Company Directors.