Relevant Qualifications  

LLB, BComm, GDLP, GAICD 

Term of Office  

Date first elected/appointed: October 2023  

Date current term ends: October 2026 

Michael (Mick) Bainbridge is a former Special Forces Green Beret serving in the Australian Army. After completing high school, Mick joined the Australian Army. He served almost 15 years in Defence, most of which was with the 2^nd Commando Regiment. His military career includes four deployments to Afghanistan and one tour in East Timor. Bainbridge’s experience in high-pressure operations has shaped his leadership style and strategic approach to veteran advocacy.

In seeking to transition from Defence, Bainbridge sought out further challenges, by completing a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP), and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Bainbridge is a Director and Solicitor of the veteran owned and operated law firm, Operational Legal Australia Pty Ltd, based in regional NSW (Wollongong) and delivering legal and other services nationally.

Bainbridge has been a member of RSL NSW since 2016, including serving as the youngest ever Vice-President of RSL NSW in 2017 and as a member of Corrimal and Gerringong RSL sub-Branches for 8 years.

Bainbridge returned to the RSL NSW Board in October 2023 as the youngest elected President of RSL NSW. In addition to this prestigious role, he also serves on the RSL National Board as a Director, Deputy Chair of the Hyde Park Memorial Trust, Alternate Director on AVCAT and other various roles as a function of his RSL NSW Presidency.

Bainbridge’s vision for the future of RSL NSW is one of longevity and sustainability, ensuring the League continues forward delivering support to veterans and their families for another hundred years. His goal is to bring all veterans together in unison – ensuring that no veteran is left behind in accessing the critical services to assist them transitioning from Defence, managing injuries or finding a strong sense of belonging through a community of likeminded veterans and their families.

Relevant qualifications 

GradDipARMCG, GDipMilLaw, GradDipACG, LL.M (Applied Law) majoring in In-house Practice, LL.M (Legal Practice), LL.B (Hons), FAICD, FGIA FCG (CS, CGP) 

Louise is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA), the Chartered Governance Institute (FCG) and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD), and holds an unrestricted practicing certificate with the Law Society of New South Wales. 

She is also a member of Chief Executive Women (CEW).  

Term of office 

Date first elected/appointed: August 2021 

Date last re-elected: October 2023 

Date current term ends: October 2026 

Louise Sullivan is a member of RSL NSW and graduate of The Royal Military College, Duntroon (GSO Reserve – 2006) and served for 13 years in both the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police and Australian Army Legal Corps obtaining the rank of Captain. 

Louise has over 22 years of experience as a business adviser, leader, Board Chair and Director with broad management skills leading diverse teams in professional (legal), heavy industry, sporting and military environments. A qualified lawyer, risk and governance professional, Louise currently works as an Executive Director (Chief Operating Officer) of a leading independent construction materials business. 

Since 2015, Louise has been a Director, and for the past 5 years the President (and Chairperson) of Netball NSW, one of Australia’s largest state sporting bodies supporting the highest participation team sport for women and girls in both NSW and across the country. Through that voluntary position Louise also served as Chair of the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball Clubs playing in the largest professional women’s sports league in Australia. 

Louise is also an elected Councillor of Sutherland Shire Council and a Director of The Pavilon: Performing Arts Centre Sutherland Limited. 

Relevant Qualifications  

OAM, MBBS, FRACS, FA Orth A, AFRACMA A/FACAsM, JP 

Term of Office  

Date first elected/appointed: October 2023  

Date current term ends: October 2026 

Dr Charles New has more than three decades of military service, including service in education in the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as multiple deployments operationally. He has had the privilege of holding senior leadership positions including Surgeon General ADF Reserve, as well as contributing to the education and development of deployable health capability. 

As an Orthopaedic Surgeon, Charles has supported the veterans' health community with medical review of veterans prior to DVA applications and consultative opinions provided to the VRB and DVA.  

Charles is a patron of the RAAMC Association, Australian Vietnam Veterans’, and Peacekeepers Association, and has served for more than a decade as a General Director and Treasurer on the Australian Orthopaedic Association Board. His experience in medical ethics has led him to become an advisor on NSW Health Committees for health governance.  

Relevant Qualifications

BComm, MBusLship, CPA, GAICD

Term of Office

Date first elected/appointed: October 2024

Clare is a senior public sector executive, with over 20 years of service in the local government sector, and a deep commitment to building stronger communities.

Clare has a professional background in leadership, organisational strategy, financial management, and good governance.

Clare is currently the Chief Executive Officer of one of the largest councils in NSW.

Relevant Qualifications 

GAICD, Associate Diploma in Public Sector Management 

Term of Office 

Date first elected/appointed: 7 December 2020 

Date last re-elected: October 2023 

Date current term ends: October 2026 

As an Ex-RAAF Loadmaster, David McCann was recognised with the OAM (Mil) in 1990 after flying Iroquois and Squirrel helicopters and eventually took on instructional and development roles after returning from deployment with the Multi-National Force & Observers in the Sinai. 

As a member of No. 5 Squadron, David was active in the development and implementation of the first Rotary Wing NVG and CT Tactics in the RAAF. He was commissioned in 1989 and left the Royal Australian Air Force in 1994. He joined the NSW Police Force and was seconded to the Australian Federal Police for a tour of East Timor in 2003, when he was recognised with a Commendation for Brave Conduct and AFP Bravery Medal. 

David has also been awarded the Royal Life Saving Society Australia Bravery Cross and the National Police Service Medal. 

David was elected as a Councillor of the Coolamon Shire Council in 2008 and represents the Council as the Deputy Chairman of Goldenfileds Water County Council. He is a member of the Council’s Audit and Risk Committee, Local Emergency Management, and the General Manager Review Committee. 

David is an operational member of the Rural Fire Service, Secretary of the Coolamon Lions Club, and the Local History Group and was awarded an OAM in 2019 for services to veterans and the wider community of Coolamon. 

David has been a member of RSL NSW since 1987 and a member of the Coolamon sub-Branch for 20 years. 

Relevant Qualifications 

BComm, EMBA, FCA

Term of Office 

Date first elected/appointed: July 2024

David has over thirty years commercial experience in the advertising, media and banking sectors where he had roles as CEO and CFO.

More recently David has worked in the charity sector for over ten years as a board member and CEO of one of Australia’s leading mental health charities.

David now runs a chartered accounting practice with a charity and not for profit focus.

Relevant qualifications 

Jason holds a Master of Finance from the University of New South Wales, a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney, a Diploma of Financial Services from the Financial Planning Association and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). 

Term of office 

Date first elected/appointed: August 2021 

Date last re-elected: October 2023 

Date current term ends: October 2026 

Jason is a member of RSL NSW at the Mosman sub-Branch. He served with the Australian Ready Reserve from 1995 to 1998 as an infantry soldier, with postings to the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and 2/17 Royal New South Wales Regiment. 

Jason has over two decades of experience in the superannuation and investment management industry.  He is currently General Manager of Investments at State Super and was previously the Chief Investment Officer of the Crescent Wealth Super fund.  Prior to this he held senior investment and leadership roles within the MLC Asset Management business over a tenure of 18 years. 

Relevant Qualifications  

MAICD, BA, LLB, GDLP, DipPolPrac  

Term of Office  

Date first elected/appointed: October 2023  

Date current term ends: October 2026 

Paul-Raymond James is the Principal/Director of a veteran-owned law firm that provides legal services for individuals, businesses, and charities across Australia and internationally. Paul is a registered lobbyist with the NSW Government and the Commonwealth, and has been involved in representing veterans in matters, including the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. 

Paul was a Sergeant in the NSW Police Force from 2002 to 2021, and a Branch Official and Delegate with the Police Association of New South Wales.  

Paul served in  the Army Reserves from 1997 until 2021. He served in Armoured Corps with 1st/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers, as a Rifleman (Infantry) with Sydney University Regiment and spent most of his career in the Military Police with 2nd MP Coy and Charlie Company 1st Military Police Battalion. Paul served on OP RESOLUTE (Border Protection) in 2009/10 and OP ASTUTE (Timor Leste) in 2012/13.   

Paul joined RSL NSW in 2008 and is a fourth-generation member of the League. He is a member of the Ingleburn RSL sub-Branch. 

Relevant Qualifications 

GAICD, MRM, BComm, CPA 

Term of Office 

Date first elected/appointed: September 2017 

Date last re-elected: October 2023 

Date current term ends: September 2026 

Associated Entities 

ANZAC House Trust

Phillip Chin is a member of the Combined Services RSL sub-Branch. He joined the League as a member of the Taxation sub-Branch in 2013 and served on its executive committee until it was wound up in 2018. 

He was elected to be the RSL NSW State Treasurer in 2017 and has worked with the Board to implement the RSL NSW Strategic Plan 2021-2026. 

Phillip is a manager at Austrade responsible for administering the Export Market Development Grants Program and Overseas Tax-Exempt Project approvals. He has over 15 years of experience in the Australian Public Service working in various roles related to audit and compliance, policy implementation, risk management, process improvement, and information technology systems development. 

Phillip has been a member of the Australian Army Reserve since 2007 and is currently posted to Headquarters Forces Command providing advice and assurance on the formation’s Non-Public Money Accounts. Prior to this, he was the NSW Detachment Commander for the Army Compliance and Assurance Unit, Finance Officer at Headquarters 8th Brigade, and provided contract management support to Operation COVID-19 Assist and Operation Bushfire Assist 2020.

Relevant Qualifications  

 Sarah holds a Masters of International Relations from Deakin University, and a Bachelor of History and Politics from UNSW. 

Term of Office  

Date first elected/appointed: October 2023  

Date current term ends: October 2026 

Sarah Watson is a veteran of the Australian Army, who served primarily as an Intelligence Officer from 1997-2015, including a seven-month deployment in Iraq. She is a member of the Yass RSL sub-Branch, and the inaugural Chair and member of the RSL NSW Young Veterans’ Committee. 

Since her medical transition out of the Army in 2015, Sarah has been advocating for veterans and their families and raising awareness about the challenges they face as a result of their operational experiences and transition from the ADF. She speaks regularly at events with the ADF, Government agencies and schools, and volunteers as the contemporary veteran member of the Defence and Veteran Affairs Human Research Ethics Committee. 

Sarah owns and runs a business offering health-related services and support. She has represented Australia at the 2022 and 2023 World Triathlon Championships, serves as President and Coach of the Yass Valley Triathlon Club, and is an Ambassador for Triathlon NSW.