Debra Thurley is a former Alderman of the Clarence City Council and Executive at the Legislative Council of the Tasmanian Parliament, a Local Government Administrator for 10 years and Small Business Owner/Manager for 18 years.

Her former Board roles include Director of the Tasmanian Racing Club, Business Enterprise entity Business East, President of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) Tasmanian Branch, National Board Member (Treasurer) of the Australian Local Government Womens Association, a Non-Executive Director of COTA.

Debra offers a broad perspective gained through knowledge of State & Local Government, the Tasmanian Parliament, Small Business Directorship/Management, public and private Administration, Strategic Planning, Finance, Human Resources, Communication and Community Engagement.

Debra holds a Masters of Employment Relations (formerly Industrial Relations), Diploma of Business, Diploma of Business Management, Diploma of Human Resources and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Debra believes in improving the life chances for children and youth with at-risk factors through a proactive preventative approach via Youth Developmental Crime Prevention.

Bio to come…

Bio to come…

Robert is a Chartered Accountant and experienced finance leader with more than 12 years’ experience across accounting, auditing, governance and strategic financial management. As Group Finance Manager for the Archdiocese of Hobart & its Agencies, he oversees finance operations across multiple not-for-profit entities and regularly supports executive leadership and boards on financial and operational matters. Robert is passionate about purpose-driven organisations and aligning strong financial governance with the mission and values of the communities they serve.

Assistant Commissioner Robert Blackwood APM joined Tasmania Police in 1998. Throughout his career, he has held roles in uniform, criminal investigation, strategy and support, and education and training. AC Blackwood has led significant projects, such as the introduction of body-worn cameras and Multi-Use Integrated Protection Vests. He spent two years with the Australian Crime Commission in Sydney, investigating organised crime.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, AC Blackwood undertook leadership roles working with both the Department of Health and Tasmania Police. He played a key role in coordinating the state’s response, facilitating COVID-safe events that boosted Tasmania’s economy and social well-being. As Commander Professional Standards, he developed new processes for managing police officers involved in family and sexual violence cases.

In his current role as Assistant Commissioner Specialist Support, he oversees portfolios including Family and Sexual Violence, Crime and Intelligence Command, and Education Training and Engagement Command.

Mat Grining is an experienced education leader and board director with over two decades of service in public education across Tasmania. He currently serves as President of the Tasmanian Principals Association (TPA), having been elected to the role in January 2023 following seven years on the TPA State Executive. He also holds current roles on the boards of the Australian Government Primary and Australian Secondary Principals’ Associations.

Mat has taught across Kindergarten to Year 10 and has held senior roles including principalships in primary and K–12 schools during periods of organisational change, school amalgamations, and major infrastructure projects. His leadership experience includes curriculum and assessment support, principal advisory roles, and collaboration with state and federal education departments.

He holds strong beliefs on the responsibility we have in reducing social barriers to participation for young Tasmanians and the opportunities to leverage off the capacity of our community groups. Mat is on the Principal Advisory Group for the Schools Excellence Scholarship Fund, a board member of Youth Family Community Connections (YFCC) and has presented at the National Sports & Physical Activity

Bio to come…

Scott Wade is the State Manager of PCYC Tasmania. He has over four decades of business management and leadership experience in banking, sports administration, event management and local government and community facility management.

Scott is a former Chief Executive Officer of the AFL in Tasmania, General Manager of the Australian Masters Games event in North-West Tasmania and Manager of Tasmania’s largest Sports Precinct operated by the Kingborough Council in South-West Tasmania.

Scott has extensive experience in volunteering in the not-for-profit sector, such as being a board member of Women’s Sport & Recreation Tasmania and the RSPCA, Vice President of the Tasmanian Sports Federation and President of both the Clarence Cricket Club and Clarence Football Club.

During his tenure in the above-mentioned roles, Scott has worked in all three regions of Tasmania, collaborating with local, state and federal political, community and business leaders in Tasmania.

Cassie Grimwood is a criminologist specialising in youth crime prevention, with extensive experience across Queensland’s Youth Justice system. Her career has focused on complex and high-risk youth offending, with particular expertise in evidence-based practice, rehabilitation, and system responses that reduce reoffending and support long-term behavioural change.

As Project Manager at PCYC Tasmania, Cassie leads the development and implementation of evidence-informed initiatives, statewide practice frameworks, and community-based crime prevention strategies. She is passionate about translating research into practice and ensuring that services are not only effective at supporting individual young people, but also contribute to stronger, more connected communities.

Cassie is driven by a belief that we can do better for young people when we move beyond quick fixes and invest in approaches that are evidence-based, consistent, and focused on long-term change. She is passionate about strengthening systems, building community capacity, and developing practical solutions that support young people to thrive while creating safer, stronger communities.