About Us
We provide a community and a welcoming and safe home for homeless people experiencing crisis, enabling their transition to a better future.
Our Board
Simon White MAICD Board Chair
Simon has been a director since 2018, and became Chair in November of 2021. Simon runs a business consultancy firm in Geelong, is a former Mercy Health Foundation Board member, a former treasurer of an integrated childcare centre, and has held various senior executive roles in the non-profit and commercial sectors.
Andrew Balaam FIPA Deputy Chair
Andrew, a joint founder Samaritan House, has been a Director since 2012. Andrew is our Deputy Chair. Andrew is an advisor Cottage by the Sea, a Life member GenU, the former Chairman St Laurence Housing and the former Deputy Chairman Geelong Art Gallery. Andrew has held various Directorships in Private, Public, not for profit and community sector organisations.
Chris Barker Secretary
Chris has been the Secretary of the Board since 2016 and is a local Bank Manager with over 30 years’ experience in Banking and Finance and has a strong background in Compliance and Operational Excellence. Chris is also involved in a number of other Not For Profits in Geelong region and has a strong passion for the Geelong and the Business Community.
Gerard Parry CPA Treasurer
Gerard commenced volunteering at Samaritan House in 2013 and joined the Board as a Director in 2015. Gerard has a career background in financial accounting at a senior level in both the government and private sectors. He has a long history of volunteering primarily in the education sector. He is currently employed at St Joseph’s College Geelong.
Brian Sherwell
Member, Chair Building Committee
Brian joined the Board in 2018, and is Chair of the Building Sub-committee. Brian is retired having spent 42 years in the building industry as a Project Manager and Building Surveyor, including founding a Building Surveying practice . Brian is also a member of the St Bernards Belmont Parish Leadership Team, and enjoys photography and golf.
Wally Pelaccia
Member, Chair Fundraising Committee
Wally has been a Director of Samaritan House since 2012. He has held various roles including Treasurer, interim Board Chair and most recent head of Fund Raising. His background has been in Banking and Finance for 30 years and most recently has commenced his own debt advisory company Red Tree Advisory Pty Ltd.
Mandy Zanker
Member, Chair People and Programs Committee
Mandy is relatively new to the Samaritan House Geelong board, joining in September 2021. She currently works in community health with a career background in disability, law and finance.Mandy has held several honorary positions prior to joining the Samaritan House board, primarily supporting employment and educational opportunities for young people.
Keith Fagg OAM MAICD
Member
Keith has been a Director since 2016 and was Board Chair 2016 – 2021. Keith ran a successful hardware & building supplies business in Geelong for many years. Keith is a former Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong, a Nationally Accredited Mediator and serves on number of business & NFP Boards in the Geelong region.
Alan Woodroffe
Member
Alan joined the Board in 2019 after a career as an executive at the Transport Accident Commission and NDIS. Alan is an experienced insurance professional including 30 years supporting legislation introduction and implementation. Alan has a passion for working directly with our Guests as a volunteer.
Camillo Delessandro
Member
Camillo, has been a Director of Samaritan House since 2012. Camillo has held several Director and CEO executive roles in the commercial sectors in Australia and internationally and has also served on various NFP committees in the Geelong Region.
Andrew Barr
Member
Kas Szakiel FCPA
Member
Kas joined the Fundraising Committee in 2018, then as a Board Member. He has 40 years experience in the transport industry including road, rail and ports; with financial, accounting and planning responsibilities. He was treasurer at Bethany, and is secretary and treasurer of his Rotary Club as well as District Treasurer at Rotary.
Nikki Gilbertson
Member
Nikki joined the Samaritan House board in 2022. Nikki is a General Manager at genU, with a long history in senior management roles within non-profit aged care and disability support services, including areas such as homelessness services and case management.
Our Team
Samaritan House is reliant on our amazing volunteers who assist with a range of services such as cooking, cleaning, deliveries of food, maintenance.
Sue Draper
Fundraising (Volunteer)
Board Executive Assistant (Part-time)
Jeff Benson
Coordinator (TSA)
Samaritan House Geelong has a partnership contract with
The Salvation Army to help
support our men.