Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund Board
An independent community-based Board considers all applications for funding and makes recommendations to the Minister on allocations from the fund. The Board consider applications on a quarterly basis throughout the year.
The board is made up of seven members to represent the interests of the community.
Sarina Russo - chairperson
Ms Sarina Russo is the Founder and Managing Director of Sarina Russo™ who has supported people in employment, education and training since 1979. A graduate of the Harvard Business School Owner / President Management Program, Sarina is a member of the Clinton Global Initiative, the Queensland Premier’s Advisory Board, the Women’s Leadership Board of the John F. Kennedy School of Government (Harvard Business School), the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World, and has been the Chairman and Trustee of the Jupiter’s Casino Community Benefit Fund since 1995.
Bob Gordon – board member
Mr Bob Gordon has spent nearly 50 years working in journalism and understands the community sector of South East Queensland. He was previously Editor-in-Chief of Gold Coast Publications Pty Ltd. He has interests in Chinese and Korean culture, sports and the arts and is a board member of the Gold Coast Football Club and Cedar Creek Winery.
Diane Guthrie – board member
Dr Diane Guthrie is a practicing psychologist who has also worked as an organisational and community development consultant. Her roles have included providing a range of strategic, operational and development services to government and non-government community organisations. She has skills in facilitating strategic and operational planning in community organisations. She has experience developing and advising with regard to public sector policies, systems and processes designed to support government-community engagement.
Michelle Robertson – board member
Ms Michelle Robertson currently works as a Branch Advocate of the Australian Services Union. She has extensive experience in industrial relations and working with community organisations, and has had high level participation in industry and workforce development strategies through the Community Services and Health Industries Skills Council and the health and Community services Workforce Council. She has also worked with the Catholic Prison Ministry, providing support and assistance to prisoners and their family members, and the Yurri Gurri Community Youth Support Scheme which provided employment training and assistance to unemployed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
Michael Sarquis – board member
Mike was appointed Executive Director of the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation as of 1 July 2008, having formerly held the position of Executive Director of the Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation from October 2006. His responsibilities include managing the gaming and liquor regulatory licensing and compliance regimes and implementing the responsible gambling strategy and harm minimisation programs. The position also has responsibility for the administration of the various gambling community benefit funds. Mike is also a current member of the Responsible Gambling Advisory Committee and is a steering committee member of the International Association of Gaming Regulators.
Marina Vit – board member
Ms Marina Vit is currently the Chief Executive Officer for Youngcare, an organisation established to address the issue of young people with high care needs living in aged care. As such she has an excellent understanding of the challenges of the not-for-profit community sector. She has more than 15 years of senior management experience in commercial and government organisations and has a strong understanding of governance.
Nicholas Xynias – board member – AO BEM
Mr Nicholas Xynias dedicates his time to community organisations such as the Australian Hellenic Educational Progressive Association and the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland. He is an Officer of the Order of Australia and a recipient of the British Empire Medal and Centenary of Federation Medal. Mr Xynias is a member of the Queensland Commemorative Events and Celebrations Committee, Chairman of the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Round table and committee member of a number of community organisations.
Last reviewed 8 August 2011