Governance

MIDLAS is a not for profit, Public Benevolent Institution with tax concessions that include: GST Concession, FBT Exemption and Income Tax Exemption. It is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient and is registered as a community legal centre with the National Association of Community Legal Centres.

It is governed by an elected Board of at least five members and no more than ten including:
- Chair person
- Vice Chair Person
- Treasurer
- Secretary

Rod Wah-Chairperson

Whilst not being a lawyer, I have worked in the legal arena of Western Australian Government and the Parliament of Western Australia for a total of 45 years. For the last 15 years as the Senior Managing Law Clerk (Manager) in an area within the State Solicitor’s Office that represents the State Government in native title claims made over our State. Outside work I have worked with many not for profit organisations and schools and served on numerous Boards and Committees. In 2011 I was awarded the Paul Sinclair Award, a national award, for outstanding contribution to the Australian Institute of Interpreters & Translators Inc. (AUSIT) h

Carol Micro-Vice Chairperson, Acting Secretary

Carol has extensive experience working within the health care sector. Her leadership skills and achievements were recognised when she was awarded a TMP / Hudson Telstra Business Women of Year Award for work in the Government Sector. Carol has extensive experience working with boards, both as a member and as a former CEO of the ACT Nursing and Midwifery Board, and the previous Director of Board Services (WA) with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Marie-Eve McNicoll-Secretary

Marie-Eve has extensive experience in financial services working with senior management and boards on compliance and risk issues. Through this work, she is familiar with board reporting, risk management, compliance, governance and strategy, as well as balancing compliance requirements with running a business. Through her business and social involvements, she enjoys interacting with experienced board members, community groups, as well as political and business leaders.

Kerrynne Batten- Treasurer

Kerrynne Batten is a Principal Analyst with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, a role which – among other things – entails review of corporate governance arrangements of the financial services sector. Prior to this, Kerrynne was the National Risk and Compliance Manager for Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited and was responsible for the development and implementation of the underwriting company’s risk management framework. Her CV includes roles in federal and state central agencies as well as chartered accounting, KPMG.

Kerrynne holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia and is a Certified Practicing Accountant.

Maxine Sclanders-Committee Member

During her professional career Maxinne has been a senior manager in the public service for over ten years, an educational administrator and a teacher. She left the public service in 1997 to become an independent consultant and since that time, has been active in providing consultancy services to a range of agencies, specialising in evaluation and review, policy development, human resource management and organisational development.

As well as broad experience across the public sector, through the memberships of various boards and committees, she has established extensive networks and working relationships throughout the health industry (government and non-government), the agricultural sector and the liquor industry.

She has worked with local community groups on a voluntary basis to initiate and develop tourism and various events to support and promote the area in which she lives.

Charlene Green-Committee Member

Charlene is a mother of four and a dedicated professional who has worked in the field of human service delivery for many years, with particular knowledge of the East Metropolitan Region – having principally grown up, lived and worked in this area.

Charlene’s most recent appointments have been with the Department of Premier and Cabinet as an Electorate Officer for an East Metropolitan Upper House Member. Prior to this Charlene was a Local Area Coordinator with the Disability Services Commission and for several years she was Coordinator of the Domestic Violence Agencies Network managing the Case Management and Coordination Service in the East Metropolitan Region.

Charlene brings her wealth of experience to the table and much enthusiasm! She is looking forward, with much anticipation, to her new role as MIDLAS Board Member 2011/2012!

James Wilson- Committee Member

Freda Bender- Committee Member

Lynn-Joy Scrutton- Committee Member

The day to day management of the organisation is delegated to the Executive Officer.

The MIDLAS board is comprised of individuals with a range of skills, knowledge and experience. The board has provided effective and efficient management to ensure the overall strength of the organisation.

MIDLAS offers thanks to these dedicated volunteers who have proved committed to guiding the strategic direction of MIDLAS. The board has ensured that MIDLAS is provided with every opportunity to reach its organisational goals.

The Board meets at least four times each year, usually the 3rd Wednesday of every second month.

In 1989, MIDLAS had just one financial counsellor and a part-time administrator. MIDLAS now employs sixteen staff and two volunteers across six divisions including full time and part-time employees.

The success that MIDLAS has experienced over the past 12 months can be attributed to the immeasurable efforts and dedication of the MIDLAS staff and Executive Officer under the direction of the Board. The toil and labours of one individual MIDLAS staff member exemplify the spirit of the team at MIDLAS.

Informal accolades are to be afforded to every team member at MIDLAS, as together, the team has combined to deliver the organisation to one of its strongest years by providing substantial assistance to approximately 2,000 clients across five of the six divisions and providing invaluable information, options and referrals to countless numbers of clients through the sixth division, the Information and Referral Service. Click here to view MIDLAS Constitution

MIDLAS Policy and Procedures follow the National Community Legal Centre guideline and comply with national not-for-profit accreditation. All MIDLAS Policies and Procedures are scrutinised by our Senior Solicitor, with final approval from the MIDLAS Board. For information on MIDLAS Policy and Procedures, please contact our office on 08.9250 2123 or email

Inclusion specific Policies and Procedures

The following are MIDLAS Policies in relation to discrimination and inclusion.

- Access to Services – Download document
- Culturally Appropriate Service Delivery – Download document
- Easy English versions – Download document
- MIDLAS Disabiltity access and Inclusion Plan – Download document

Clients

MIDLAS assists many poeple who are in financial distress. The breadth of the MIDLAS service does not discriminate race, gender, creed or religion. The following is a breakdown of clients who find assistance at MIDLAS.
- Generally female;
- A large majority are single mothers with children;
- Approximately 20% are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders;
- Rarely home owners;
- Approximately 20% are tenants of public housing;
- Mostly receiving government payments;
- Mostly earning income of less than $20,000