Committee Overview
The OBA has a constitution that governs the way we operate. We hold an Annual General Meeting where Members attending the meeting elect a Committee and Office bearers such as the President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Within the framework of the OBA constitution, this group manages the OBA on behalf of its Members for the ensuing 12 months.
Under the OBA Committee structure various Sub-Committees have been formed in order to focus on some key areas, these include:
- Membership Services and Archives
- Sporting
- Administration, Finance and IT
- Social
- Sponsorship and Networking
Barker College Council, the group entrusted with the management of Barker College, has three members who are nominated by the OBA. These members of the School Council are not representatives of the OBA as such, but are members of Council and thus share in the running of the school. Currently one of the three members nominated by the OBA is re-elected at the OBA AGM each year, ensuring some continuity.
Office Bearers:
Ben Anson (1985)
President
Sports Sub-Committee (Member)
Constitutional Revue Sub-Committee (Member)
Centenary Sub-Committee (Member)
Member of OBA Committee since 2002
Ben attended Barker College for 8 years. He had a strong interest in sporting activities representing the School in cricket, rugby and athletics. He was a keen debater and member of the photography club; and played all sports for Butters House teams. He continues to play rugby for BOBRUFC of which he has been President since 2001. Ben’s tertiary studies after Barker have included commerce, marketing, finance and law. In recent years he has extended this to include e-commerce and MBA studies. Business activities have centred around Sales and Marketing disciplines, predominantly in the financial services industry, along with consulting work and corporate development roles for several private and government institutions. He is currently the Principal and major shareholder of a small finance broking Company.
Lez Cheung (1975)
Honorary Treasurer
Sponsorship and Networking Sub-Committee (Chairperson)
Member of Committee since 2005
Lez was a Boarder at Barker College between 1970 and 1975, where he played in the rugby 1st XV, and competed strongly in cross-country and athletics. Lez has enjoyed several careers in his professional life; as a Chartered Accountant, squash coach, grocery store owner, and more recently as a Real Estate agent with PRD Nationwide, working predominantly in the Northern Suburbs residential market. Lez is a Past President of the PNG Squash Racquets, and Past Treasurer of Chatswood Golf Club. He is married to Helen, and has three daughters, two of whom completed Year 12 at Barker in 2007.
Andrew Davis (1978)
Vice President
OBA Centenary Sub-Committee (Chairperson)
Membership Services Sub-Committee (member)
Finance Sub-committee (member)
Member of Committee since 2005
Andrew commenced second form at Barker College in 1973, where he played cricket, rugby and volleyball. He is on the Committee and Life Member of BOBRUFC, where he has played over 200 games. Andrew is currently employed by Nalco (a water treatment company) and runs their engineering group, focusing on mining and integrated water management. He is married to Margot and has two daughters, Nicole and Rebecca.
Martin Donaldson (2000)
Secretary
General Committee Member
Administration, Finance and IT Sub-Committee (Member)
Sporting Sub-Committee (Member)
OBA Centenary Sub-Committee (Member)
Member of Committee since 2005
Martin attended Barker College as a boarder from 1999 to 2000. He was actively involved in the music department, holding a lead in the 1999 production of HMS Pinafore, and touring with the Symphonic Wind Band and Choir to the UK. Martin was a School Prefect and Deputy Boarding Captain in his final year. Martin is a recent Civil Engineering and Laws graduate of UNSW, loose-head prop of BOBRUFC 1st XV, and a Resident Master in the Senior Boys Boarding House. He currently works as a Construction Law Consultant.
General Committee Members:
Ian Darling (1968)
Social Sub-Committee (Chairperson)
Member of Committee since 2005
Ian attended Barker College from 1965 to 1968; initially as a Boarder in Carter House, and later as a day-student. After playing rugby at School, he was actively involved in the early development of the BOBRUFC. Ian left School to become an Accountant, but after a stint overseas in New Guinea, re-trained as a Plumber. After a long career in the Commercial Plumbing Industry, Ian now works as a Building Consultant. Ian is married to Maggie, with whom he has two sons (2000 and 2002) and a daughter (2006) who all attended Barker.
Brett McLachlan(1985)
Sporting Sub-Committee (Chairperson)
IT Sub-Committee (Member)
Member of Committee since 2007
Brett attended Barker College for 7 years. He participated in Cadets, Drama, Music, was in the School Band, Cadet Band & School Orchestra, played Rugby & basketball. Brett recently married Connie, has a 12-year-old daughter and a new addition due in June 2008. Business activities have centred on sales and marketing disciplines with a Post Grad Diploma in Business. He is currently a Senior Business Manager for Device Technologies-Australasia’s largest medical device distributor. He currently plays rugby for BOBRUFC and also mountain bikes and enjoys 4WDing.
Keith Thornton (1964)
School Council OBA Representative
Strategic Planning Sub-Committee (Chair)
Member of Committee since 2005
Keith attended Barker College for 12 years. With a strong interest in sporting activities, he played most available sports for the School and all sports for Boyce House teams. Keith married Anita in 1970, and has three daughters, now all married. Business activities have centred around Sales and Marketing disciplines, consulting work and more recently in senior management roles. He is currently the major shareholder and Managing Director of a small manufacturing and distribution Company.
Ex-Officio Members:
Dr Rod Kefford
Patron
Garry Boyce (1957)
Patron
Chris Russell (1970)
School Council OBA Representative
Michael Beverley (1970)
School Council OBA Representative
