Who We Are
Board Members
Davin Shellshear, Chairperson
Davin has 45 years’ experience as an engineer. For 12 years he was Operations & Maintenance Manager with one of Australia’s largest local government integrated water utility, Brisbane Water. Since 2003, Davin has worked as a consultant in water and sewerage infrastructure, and outsourcing infrastructure development and operation, maintenance and asset management. He also consults in behavioural risk management, cultural management, and performance optimisation for alliances and organisations. He is an expert in applying ISO 44001 (Collaborative Business Relationship Management Systems) through his consultancy, the Institute of Collaborative Management.
Arif Matthee, Board Member
Arif is a qualified accountant with degrees in economics, law and accounting. He has extensive experience in stockbroking, funds management, personal income tax and accounting for self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs). Arif is now semi-retired and actively manages his investments. His particular interest is in share investments and following regulations relating to SMSFs. Arif is genuinely motivated to be part of the Board as he enjoys applying and sharing his financial skills and supporting the charitable side of Dharma Care. Arif also enjoys “tramping” in the mountains of New Zealand where he spends part of every year.
Maria Blake, Board Member
Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts (English) and a Masters in Human Resource Development. After a successful career in Government, she left to have and raise children. On returning to work, Maria entered the university sector and became the Director of Organisation Development at three leading universities in Western Australia and Victoria. She was responsible for programs related to leadership, client contact, staff selection, complex problem-solving and change management. She also designed and implemented performance management systems and staff induction processes. Throughout her career she was able to attend international conferences and have early access to innovation in her field, particularly related to complex problem solving. She has published articles on client service and learning. Currently she is retired and enjoys gardening, writing, bridge, and working as a volunteer in welfare and personal growth.
Asmaniah Fraval, Board Member
Asmaniah and family immigrated to Australia in 1983 from the UK. Over the last 40 years she has transitioned from full time mother and carer of elderly parents to full time manager of two allied health clinics in Canberra. During this period, she has also worked with different teams of people in her Subud roles as national & international helper & national chair and has travelled to countries in the Asia Pacific area, visiting Susila Dharma projects in India and Indonesia. She values the diversity of different cultures and traditions. She brings a width of lived experience to the Dharma Care Board and a willingness to help make a difference to the lives of those less fortunate.
Amanah Rye, Board Member
Amanah holds an undergraduate degree in Social Work and post-graduate qualifications in Quality Auditing (Lead Auditor) and Government (Contract Management). She is an expert in applying ISO 9001 in Practice (Maintaining an Effective Management System), specialising in quality and evaluation systems and quality standards for disability services, children’s services and supported accommodation. Amanah has over 30 years’ experience in diverse roles within both government agencies and not-for-profit organisations, working across the professional social work paradigm of individual and family counselling to social advocacy in the broad human services sector in Western Australia (and previously in South Australia). Amanah is a collaborative, strategic thinker, possessing outstanding communication capabilities, with extensive stakeholder and strengths-based community development experience. Amanah retired in mid-2021 and keeps an active interest in health and well-being matters, Tai chi exercise, nature walks, reading and assisting Subud Perth committee. Amanah is passionate about enabling people of all ages to experience beneficial social outcomes in their lives
Irwan Wyllie, CEO
Irwan is a senior executive, consultant and educator with 30 years’ experience in the public and private sector. He has undergraduate degrees in Economics and Arts and postgraduate qualifications in town planning history and education. His experience includes Bid Management, Outsource Management, Merger Management, Client Management, Transition Management, Program Management and Change Management whilst working for Compaq Computers, Hewlett Packard, and Volante in Australia. He was MD of ASX-listed Computronics Corporation Ltd. He has taught at the University of Canberra and Southern Cross University, and in corporate training. He is a founding director of Yes Quest International that facilitates young adults to identify and develop their unique talents.
Darren Sutton, Deputy CEO
Darren is an experienced Director, consultant and proven business leader with an extensive career building businesses, prior agency owner and lead Strategist consulting to some of Australia’s biggest brands and non-profits, creating digital strategies and delivering global award winning marketing, technology and communication services. Strategic adviser delivering digital transformation, customer experience, omni-channel communications, acquisition, engagement, conversion, loyalty and retention marketing outcomes. Depth of experience in business leadership, delivering business growth, multi-disciplinary team management, staff coaching and mentoring, project management and delivery of large-scale strategy programs, creative concepts, award winning campaigns, data-driven content marketing services & automation. Founder of an award-winning community event that has donated over $400k to local charities in Northern NSW since 2016. Presentation speaker for ad:tech, iStrategy, AMI, Interactive Minds, Networx, ADMA, AAA and ATDW. Prior Committee member of ADMA QLD.
Richard Merton, Administration Manager
After a few years in consumer finance, Richard found a more ethical career as Business Manager in Rudolf Steiner schools, both in North East Victoria and then Northern NSW. He has diverse qualifications in IT, Business Administration and Theology. He was a member of the Mansfield Shire Audit & Risk Advisory Committee and Treasurer at Mansfield Adult and Continuing Education. He lives in the beautiful sub-tropical rainforest of North Eastern NSW, enjoys a’Cappella singing, and contemplative religion and philosophy.
Sarah Davis, Marketing Coordinator
Sarah is a seasoned marketing specialist with over 20 years’ experience working across consulting, finance and health & wellness. She has worked in Australia and England in business development, campaign management, event planning and public relations. She has an undergraduate degree in business administration and diverse postgraduate qualifications in counselling, Buddhist studies and wellness coaching. This eclectic educational background has equipped her with a multifaceted approach to problem-solving and a holistic understanding of human behaviour and wellness. Sarah’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish her own wellness brand, a venture she has nurtured and grown over the past decade. She has curated and facilitated transformational programs, immersive workshops, and retreats, catering to participants locally and engaging a global audience through online platforms. Sarah embodies a unique blend of marketing expertise, diverse academic qualifications, and a deep-rooted commitment to wellness advocacy.
Ambassadors
Osanna Vaughn
Osanna is a world citizen who speaks English, Spanish, French and German fluently. She has lived and worked in France, Spain, Australia, the US and, more recently Germany and the UK, primarily making use of her languages in different fields of communication. She is a published author, sub-edits blogs for Leica Camera AG, and is editor-in-chief of the Subud World News website. From 2005 to 2010, Osanna was Chair of the World Subud Association (WSA), and ex-officio member of the Board of Susila Dharma International Association (SDIA), of which Dharma Care is a member. As such she travelled all over the world attending congresses, making presentations and promoting both WSA and SDIA initiatives. Even after her term as Chair was over, she continued to visit and promote projects – including in Australia and Borneo, two of the countries where Dharma Care is particularly active. Osanna was appointed a Dharma Care Ambassador in November 2021.