David McNamara, Executive Officer Expand David spent his early working years in the Army serving from 1979 until 1992. Initially as a soldier before graduating as an Officer from the Officer Cadet School, Portsea in June of 1985. After leaving the Army David has held many Senior roles in the Retail, Franchising and Security sectors as a National Franchise Manager, General Manager, CEO or Managing Director. Married with 4 adult Sons and 2 Grand Children, David prefers to spend his leisure time with family and is an avid Golfer. David is currently the President of Belgrave Cricket Club in the Ferntree Gully District Cricket Association and has only recently stepped away from coaching Australian Rules Football at suburban level in the Eastern Football League.
Simon Bloomer, Director Expand Simon joined Carry On (Victoria) in 1994 and was assigned to the Dandenong Branch where he was immediately given the treasurer job. In 2003, Simon was invited to join the Board of Management where he served until 2006 when he resigned to take up the position of Executive Officer. After six years he retired and returned to the Board of Management. In 2014 he was elected to the position of President which he held until 2018. Simon is serving still in the role of Director, Welfare, and treasurer of Dandenong Branch assisting with the management of the units in Noble Park. Simon’s working career spanned 44 years with the National Australia Bank and Coles Myer Ltd except for a 2-year break when he served in the Australian Army as a national serviceman completing a tour of Vietnam. He retired in 2006 to take up the role of Executive Officer. Simon is married with 2 children and 7 grandchildren and any spare time is spent travelling with the caravan and looking after the garden.
Kyle Tyrrell, President Expand Kyle Tyrrell is a Director of Carry On having joined the Board in May 2018. Kyle is a former Infantry Officer with 24 years service including multiple overseas deployments. He currently runs Vanguard Global, a security risk management consultancy, is a member of the Advisory Board of Lotus Energy and is the Ambassador for the Australian Warfighters Wealth Program. He enjoys coaching AFL women’s football, travel and serving the veteran community.
Zoe Karkas, Vice President Expand Over the last 25 years, Zoe Karkas has helped non-profit organisations build relevant and meaningful relationships between good causes and the people who can support them. Throughout her career in fundraising, Zoe has developed, and implemented numerous successful fundraising campaigns – locally, nationally, and internationally – by blending insight, ideas, and innovation to get the best results. She has been recognised for her efforts with the bestowment of numerous Awards from Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA) including being awarded the Fellow of the Fundraising Institute Australia for her years of service to the sector. Zoe has served on the Board of the Fundraising Institute Australia, including tenures as Treasurer and Deputy Chair. Today, Zoe is a Director of CarryOn having joined its Board in May 2018. She looks forward to developing a robust fundraising program that raises awareness and much-needed funds for Veterans, Ex-Service men and women, and their loved ones.
Lyn Guy, Director Expand Member of Dandenong Branch from 2003 to 2010. Member of Mildura Branch since 2011. First woman elected to Board of Directors in 2007.I have enjoyed the camaraderie of Carry On (Victoria) and working with other Branch members to ensure that our tenants at Noble Park, Mildura and Red Cliffs have been looked after. I have also enjoyed being able to discuss issues and make decisions about the future of Carry On (Victoria) whilst a member of the Board.The most satisfying thing that has occurred during my membership has been the modernisation of the organisation to ensure its continuation as a provider of meaningful assistance to members of the ex-service community.
Tony Kofkin, Director Expand Tony has been a financial planner and is the managing partner at Kofkin Bond & Co. One area of expertise for Tony is providing financial support to current and former members of the ADF through wealth management and estate planning.
Peter Bourke, Director Expand Peter Bourke is a commercial lawyer. Before changing careers, Peter served in the AustralianArmy. Through his military career, Peter gained experience as a Prosecuting and Defending Officer within the realm of Military Discipline Law.
Lindsay Kotzman Expand Lindsay is the founder and senior partner of P&B Law (Property and Business Lawyers) and brings a wealth of legal experience and contacts to the organisation. Lindsay was appointed to the board 2020 and will play a vital role in assisting Carry On to roll out the strategic plan. The plan will increase the organisations reach, and relevance to those who have Served and Lindsay is particularly enthusiastic about being part of this project. In his spare time, Lindsay likes keeping active with activities such as cycling, skiing and football. He also enjoys family time with his wife and two teenage children.
Shamsa Lea Expand Shamsa Lea is a currently serving Air Force Logistics Officer, and a veteran of Afghanistan, Middle East Region and Papua New Guinea. She has 10+ years of proven complex change management (strategy, operations, workforce and culture) and project delivery in the ADF, leading diverse multinational teams around the world. She is a trained leadership coach and a sessional academic at the University of Southern Queensland (Project Management). Her husband is a currently serving Air Force Chaplain, together they are passionately involved in the wellbeing of serving ADF members and their families.