YAL Board Meet the team

Frank Schaper

Frank joined the YAL in 1958 when he was a student at the Graylands Teachers College. At the time he was recruited by John Fawcett as a company Commander for a country Boys Tour which was domiciled at the Claremont Showgrounds.

His interest in the YAL continued and after several tours of a similar role he became on “Officer” of the YAL and a member of the Officers Club. He served as President of the Officer’s club eventually elected to the Governing council. He resigned this position when he went to Adelaide for work and re-joined when he returned to WA in the 80’s.

He has been Chairman of the YAL board since 2006 and is also the Chair of the YAL Trust board. He currently lives in Adelaide and attends meeting via teleconference.

Rod Ross

Currently the Vice Chair of the both the YAL board and the YAL Trust board and the Chairman of the Educational Grants Advisory Committee which helped see the inaugural 2015 scholarship program be successfully launched.

He has been a member of the YAL board since 2001. His interest in the YAL commenced soon after his appointment as General Manager of the Araluen Botanical Park Foundation in 1999 due to the park’s YAL origins.

Married to Gail for 44 years and boast a son Chris and a grandson, Nicholas. Since retiring from Araluen and the board of Armadale Region Business Association (‘Business Armadale’) last year, he now has more time to indulge his passion of the YAL, motoring, travel, gardening, home improvements and relaxing. He is excited about the future of the YAL and hopes that he can be a part of building its future.

Neil Mundy

Neil grew up in Sydney with his close family of 7 (5 boys – quite a crowd!). He first holidayed in WA with his partner in 1993 and when a work opportunity arose in 1995 they jumped at the chance to relocate.

He is a qualified CPA and has gained experience in manufacturing, software and legal industries. Neil is now retired.

Seeking an opportunity to volunteer. He was invited onto the YAL board in mid 2014 and took up the role of Honorary Treasurer from the late Bob Tilley. With the YAL closely allied with his own ideals he is delighted to be associated with such a dedicated organisation.

David Lim

David was born in Singapore but has lived in Australia – first in Perth and now Brisbane – for the last 20 years.

He currently works at the Queensland University of Technology as a lecturer and researcher. He was previously employed by the Wheatbelt Division of Division General Practice as an educator. He has also lectured at Edith Cowan University, Curtain University and the University of Western Australia.

He has a Master degree in Surgery, a higher Doctorate in Public Health and a Law Degree.

He joined the YAL board in 2013 and is currently acting as the Public Officer. He was also a founding Director of the YAL Trust board of directors.

Andre Burki

Andre came to Australia from Switzerland with his wife, daughter, son, dog and cat in 2008 to start a new life-adventure here in Perth. Joining YAL 10 years later is one of his ways of giving back to the community.

Andre is a senior professional certified coach with his consultancy: Burki Leadership. He is passionate about supporting individuals, teams & organisations who want to develop collective leadership.

He graduated with a degree in Business Administration. After years in the corporate world in leading positions Andre wanted to focus on where the real issues where (and still are), i.e. in and between us humans. Thus he changed career and obtained the necessary diplomas, certifications and accreditations that allowed him to live his calling to promote more connectedness, clarity, courage and care while making work more meaningful, enjoyable and sustainable for all.

Andre looks forward to now serve YAL with its purpose and all those connected to it.

Chantal Charbonneau

Chantal was appointed to the YAL board in 2015.

She has almost 20 years’ experience in corporate operations roles in oil and gas, mining and aviation.

She is currently working in the Qantas Group, after having previously held roles across regulatory compliance, human resources, safety and training for a number of leading companies in Australia.

Her interest in the YAL stems from her family roots that saw her be part of the YAL ‘family’ before she became an active member of the YAL board.

Margriet van Wieringen

Margriet joined the YAL Board in 2018.

Margriet is a qualified Project Manager, and currently working for John Laing, a major global infrastructure investor. Margriet is currently based at Optus Stadium, where she works within the Westadium/Project Co. team. As part of her role, Margriet focuses on the Corporate Social Responsibility projects, including major sponsorship deals, as well as the Business Class partner programme with the Australian Business and Community Network and Girrawheen Senior High School. Via this relationship Margriet was introduced to the Young Australia League and did not hesitate to become a Board Director when invited.

Before joining John Laing, Margriet worked for the RAC in Perth, the BBC and Cartus in the UK and started her career in the Netherlands in project/admin coordinator roles.

In her spare time, Margriet volunteers for the local community in the Perth hills where she lives with her husband and their dog. She is also involved with dog rescue organisations throughout WA.

Mary Walker

Mary is the Principal Consultant and founding Director of Hibberson Woodroffe, a commercial management consultancy dedicated to helping the construction industry, through practical advice and strategy.

Mary has 20 + years’ experience in construction, land development and infrastructure projects in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, working for family owned and tier one contractors.

Having been introduced to YAL by Margriet and looking for an opportunity to contribute to the community Mary, welcomed the opportunity to join the YAL board.

Pieter Mulder

Pieter came to Australia from the Netherlands in 1988 and found work in a management role with John Deere after first working in a similar role with Spearwood Agriculture Supplies. He eventually joined his brother in law as a partner in Leeder Services, a cleaning services company.

He has served on a number of committees and boards including Armadale Region Business Association (‘Business Armadale’) with Rod Ross. It was through his connection with Rod that he was invited to join the YAL board.

Richard Offen

Richard is currently the Executive Director of Heritage Perth, which was set up to show the heritage of Perth in a positive light as a major social and economic asset. He is also a much sought after lecturer, speaker and regular broadcaster on both radio and TV.

His career commenced in the UK but he has worked across Europe on a number of heritage conservation strategies and holds a Master’s Degree in Heritage Management from the Birmingham University.

In 2014, in recognition for his work promoting heritage to a wide audience, he was honoured by the WA Heritage Council Heritage Awards, winning the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Heritage by a Professional in the Heritage Industry’ category.

It was in 2014 that he also joined the YAL board with a little encouragement from his friend Jan McCallum.