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With the push for greater gender diversity on company boards receiving much attention throughout Australia, OAK Tasmania is proud to announce the appointment of Dr Julie Rimes as its new Chairman of the Board. It is the first time in OAK’s history that a woman has occupied the position.

A member of OAK Tasmania’s Board for six years, serving as Company Public Officer and Company Secretary, Dr Rimes also brings a wealth of skills in relation to education and disabilities to her new position.

In Hobart, Dr Rimes is Director of the Kilburn Institute and Principal Curriculum Adviser at St Michael’s Collegiate School. She has a strong background in teaching locally, as well as in the South Pacific and the United Kingdom and also works as a consultant to a number of schools and businesses nationally. She has also served on many state and national boards.

Dr Rimes welcomed her new role and said she would continue to work hard to maintain OAK’s quality and diversity of programs and to further improve the lives of those living with disabilities.

“There are always ongoing important issues in providing those with lifelong disabilities [the] opportunities to develop and maintain skills and to participate in activities that enable them to achieve valued roles in the community,” she said.

OAK Tasmania's new Chairman Dr Julie Rimes

Dr Rimes said the continued improvement of OAK’s different sites and maintaining the strong diversity of OAK’s programs, were important priorities.

“Diversity is our strength. As a Board we must provide for future growth and development so that our social enterprises and services are the best that they can be.”

Dr Rimes takes over the position from Don Macleod, who has been Chairman since 2003. Both OAK Chief Executive Officer John Paton and Dr Rimes acknowledged the outstanding contribution Mr Macleod had made as Chairman.

“Don is a passionate supporter of the organisation and the important work it undertakes in the community and we thank him for his tireless work as Chairman,” Mr Paton said.

Dr Rimes also praised the ‘outstanding leadership and stewardship’ Mr Macleod had given the OAK community.

Mr Macleod, who is the owner/manager of the very busy Hobart Bank of Queensland franchise, will stay on the Board as Company Public Officer and Company Secretary.