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The YMCA struc​​​ture

The National Council of the YMCAs of Australia (YMCA Australia) is a federation of 17 Member Associations across Australia. Each is governed by a local voluntary Board of Directors elected by its members. YMCA Australia, through its membership of the World Alliance of YMCAs, controls the rights to the use of the YMCA name and trademarks in Australia. Through a process of licensing and Charter Membership, YMCA Australia devolves the right to use the YMCA name and trademarks in local communities to independently incorporated YMCA Associations, such as our YMCA of the Northern Territory.

Northern T​erritory governance

YMCA has been providing services to communities in the Northern Territory since the 1950's through separately incorporated YMCAs in Alice Springs, Katherine, Palmerston and Darwin. In 2016, YMCA Members agreed to amalgamate into the YMCA of the Northern Territory. YMCA now operates two companies, The Young Men's Christian Association of the Northern Territory Ltd and The YMCA of the Northern Territory Youth & Community Services Ltd.

The Board can have a total of ten Directors of which six are elected by the Members and four can be appointed by the Board itself.

At least three of the elected Directors are drawn from the Community Advisory Committees which have been formed in each region.

The Community Advisory Committees are comprised of members who have an interest in furthering the YMCA's vision in local community. This structure ensures local engagement and that local community needs, relevant to the YMCA's vision, are heard and represented on the Northern Territory Board.​​


The Y Northern Territory acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures and to their Elders both past and present.​

 Our Board of Directors

Board Member

Gaurav Sareen

President

Gaurav leads Deloitte’s Tax and Government Incentives team across Northern Australia, drawing on his deep expertise with assisting projects with Government funding and financing. Gaurav has vast experience providing various consulting services to Federal and Northern Territory and local government departments and provides tailored strategic advice to clients in the infrastructure, construction and property development, energy and resources, and tourism sectors. Gaurav has also played an integral role in the Positioning for Prosperity: Developing the North - boardroom consultation series that was jointly facilitated by Deloitte, NAB and the Northern Australia Development of Australia Office. This included coordinating and presenting Deloitte’s thought leadership series latest publication ‘Get out of your own way – Unleashing productivity’. Gaurav joins the Board as Treasurer and brings to the organisation a strong financial and business background to complement his experience in working with Federal and Territory governments.

Board Member

Celia Lloyd

Board Member

Celia leads a multi-disciplinary team in Darwin Port including Finance, Human Resources, Procurement, Information & Communications Technology and Information & Records Management. Celia is a qualified Chartered Accountant with more than 20 years of experience across various industries within Australia and the UK. Celia has worked in senior finance roles across a variety of industries in Brisbane, Darwin and London. Celia has extensive experience in accounting-based roles, financial reporting, business analytics and modelling, contract and business process improvement.

Board Member

Richard Giles

Partner. Lawyer - HWL Ebsworth

Richard is a Partner in HWL Ebsworth’s Commercial group. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of South Australia in 1977 and the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in 1980. Richard has lived in the Northern Territory for more than 37 years and holds other positions including Chair of the NT Committee of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the SA/NT Division Council and the Not-for-Profit Chair Forum for that organisation and Honorary Solicitor for the Charles Darwin University Foundation. He has also held previous roles as President of the Law Society of the Northern Territory and Chair of the Royal Darwin Hospital Management Board.

Board Member

William (Bill) Yan

Board Director elected by Members

Bill is General Manager at the Alice Springs Correctional Centre. Bill is a committed supporter of the community and continually strives for inclusiveness for all. He has been the President of the Alice Springs Off Road Race Club and on the Executive Committee for the Finke Desert Race. Through his role at the Alice Springs Correctional Centre, Bill has developed valuable relationships with Government Departments, local regional councils and Aboriginal Elders & Communities.

Board Member

Ashley Perez FIML GAICD

Chief Operating Officer – Somerville

Ashley is an experienced Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit and community services organisation management. Skilled in Service Delivery, National Programs & Partnerships, Communications, Community and Government Relations. Strong engagement and service development professional with a Masters of Social Science (Policy & Human Services) and a Graduate Certificate in Business (Public Sector Management).

Board Member

Ron Mell

Board Director

Ron was the principal of a CPA practice and a business proprietor before taking on the role of CEO of the YMCA of Perth. Following the successful development of the YMCA in Western Australia he took on the role of National CEO for YMCA of Australia, a position he held for five years. In 2016, aher moving back to his hometown in Perth, he has led the amalgamation of the three Territory YMCAs and the formation of the YMCA of the Northern Territory.

 Our Executive Team

Board Member

Matt Feutrill

Chief Executive Officer

Matt is an executive leader with over 20 years’ experience in the not for profit / for purpose sector. Matt has held senior roles across the categories of recreation management, children services, community services, disability, youth, sport, outdoor education / camping, accommodation, international aid/development, and corporate services. Founded on executive level interpersonal qualities and with refined skills in the areas of governance & planning, strategy execution, business development, marketing and general management, Matt has led complex local, state, national and international programs and business operations. Matt’s qualifications include Executive Education at Stanford University School of Business - Not for Profit Leadership; Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors; Graduate of the Williamson Community Leadership Program; Fellowship at Leadership Victoria and Advanced Diploma of Management from Sydney University.

Board Member

Chenoa Patterson

Chief Finance Officer

Chenoa is a highly experienced, certified practising account with over 20 years experience specialising in local non-for-profit, financial consultancy and auditing. She has 9 years professional experience working at Deloitte in the Northern Territory, where she provided a wide range of services to local Indigenous and not-for-profit sectors. She has a passion for working in the non-for-profit sector; with organisations that make a meaningful social impact on local communities, particularly young Indigenous communities.

Board Member

Craig Dowsing

Business Development Manager

Craig is a highly experienced finance analyst and business development strategist with more than 25 years experience in the NFP and commercial banking sectors. He has a strong understanding of the Early Learning landscape in the NT; having worked at the Y for more than 10 years, growing the Y’s local early learning presence by more than 50% in less than two years. Craig has a bachelor of business with a major in accounting and economics. He has worked in business banking as Business Banking Director at NAB for 12 years. He currently serves as a Director on the Board of a Community Banking group, including the past 18 months as treasurer and chair of the Finance & Asset subcommittee.

Board Member

Elizabeth Stiller

Executive Manager, Children and Family Services

Liz Stiller is an experienced early childhood professional with more than 20 years’ experience working in a broad range of early years settings. Most recently Liz worked with the Department of Education NT as an authorised officer undertaking the assessment and rating of early years services as part of the national quality agenda. Originally from Melbourne, Liz has gained impressive experience working in both NFP and government organisations including Gowrie Victoria and the City of Kingston. Liz is a dynamic early childhood leader with a reputation for ensuring ethical practice and leading teams to achieve their best.

Board Member

Alana James

Executive Manager Youth Services

Alana is a firm believer in the power and potential of young people. Her role brings together two passions – empowering young people and positive social change. Alana previously managed YMCA South Australia’s Youth Empowerment programs and served on the Youth Affairs Council of South Australia (YACSA) board. Alana is a graduate of the Governor’s Leadership Foundation program (Leaders Institute of South Australia’s flagship program).

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