The Board

BVSc, Grad Dip Ag Ec

President

Dr Wright is a veterinarian who runs his own practice at Goulburn, NSW and treats domestic pets, livestock, wildlife and other exotic species. He has a long involvement with animal care groups, including WIRES, and in assisting the region’s local RSPCA inspectors. Former Chair Andrew Wozniak approached Dr Wright to join the board of RSPCA NSW.

 PSM, BVSc, MACVSc

Vice President

Dr Roth worked as a veterinarian with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) for 40 years in biosecurity and animal welfare. He managed the NSW DPI’s Animal Welfare Unit and worked closely with RSPCA NSW. Until his retirement in December 2015, he was the Chief Veterinary Officer for NSW. His career successes were recognised with a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to veterinary science, particularly pertaining to animal welfare and biosecurity in NSW. He became a board member of RSPCA NSW following the recommendation to the Board by Director Mr Robinson. Mr Roth then put himself forward for nomination and was elected.

SC, B.Comm, LLB (Hons) (Melb), BCL (Oxon)

Vice President

Mr Steele is a barrister practising corporate and employment law at the commercial Bar in Sydney.  He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2013.  Mr Steele has a commerce degree and first-class honours law degree from the University of Melbourne and a master’s degree in law from Oxford University. He is currently studying for a PhD in law at Sydney University.  Before coming to the Bar in 1995, Mr Steele worked ten years as an investment banker in London, New York and Sydney.  He has been a lifelong supporter of the RSPCA as a donor and the proud parent of a much-loved terrier cross adopted from Yagoona.  He is also a Director of RSPCA Australia. He became a board member of RSPCA NSW following recommendation by Dr Wright to assist pro bono on several important governance and regulatory matters.

Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Member, Chartered Accountants, Australia and New Zealand and Registered Company Auditor

Treasurer

Mr Thompson is a Partner at Hall Chadwick. He has over 30 years of chartered accounting experience and has been a partner in public practice since 2001. He has worked within Big 4 and mid-tier firms providing audit and advisory services. His focus is on the middle market, providing audit and assurance services to a range of clients encompassing corporate and not-for-profit entities. As Treasurer, he is particularly focused on the organisation’s financial viability. Mr Thompson was recommended to the Board of RSPCA NSW by the previous treasurer who was due to retire.

Director

Ms Cruickshank is currently the Deputy Secretary of the NSW Department of Customer Service. Before joining the Australian Public Service in 2012, she spent ten years as part of a global public relations agency, the last five years of which she was Managing Director of one of its Australian-based companies. Throughout her life, she has been the proud owner of multiple shelter cats and dogs and is passionate about protecting the interests of vulnerable animals in our society.

During her private sector career Ms Cruickshank was engaged by the RSPCA’s then Treasurer (Doug Dean) for public affairs and public relations work to support his multinational company. In the course of that professional arrangement the Treasurer asked whether Ms Cruickshank’s company would be willing to do some pro bono work to support the NSW RSPCA. Already an owner of two rescue animals she agreed to do the pro bono work and around 18 months later was invited to join the Board on the basis of her communications and marketing expertise.

Director

Ms Gaal joined RSPCA NSW in 1981 and was previously the President of our RSPCA Bathurst Branch, a position she held for over 30 years. Ms Gaal brings a wealth of knowledge of the organisation and is the founder of the NSW RSPCA CAWS Program, which commenced in 2003 and completed the RSPCA CAWS Program in Tahiti. Outside of RSPCA NSW, she has sat on various NSW Government and taskforce committees. Ms Gaal is the President of the Australian Institute Local Government Rangers Association and a life member of the Australian Institute NSW Rangers Association. She was encouraged to put herself forward for election by Dr Wright due to her long standing history with the RSPCA.

Director

Mr Hall is a Life Member of RSPCA NSW and has been an RSPCA Board Member since 1984. He is the primary producer and owner of a family property near Young. He breeds Shorthorn cattle. He became a board member of RSPCA NSW following a request to fill a casual vacancy by previous RSPCA CEO Colin McCaskill.

B.Bus, PostGrad Dip Mgmt

Director

Mr O’Callaghan has over 35 years of experience in risk management for not-for-profit organisations, government enterprises and health services, among many others. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and was awarded the inaugural Certified Public Accountant (CPA) award for outstanding individual contribution to Victoria. As well as serving on the RSPCA NSW Board of Directors, Mr O’Callaghan is currently Chairman of Andrew Kerr Care Ltd. Mr Thompson was referred by RSPCA Australia’s past president Richard Russell to the President of RSPCA NSW for a Board position due to his specific skills in Governance Risk and Audit both nationally and internationally.

Director

Born in Young in NSW, Mr Robinson had a varied career before joining the NSW Police in 1971. He served in small rural communities across the state for 23 years but resigned to take up the position of Chief Inspector for RSPCA NSW. He served eight years before becoming RSPCA NSW Manager of Branches and Properties. He is keenly interested in all facets of the RSPCA, particularly the branches and their operations. As an RSPCA Australia Farm Assessor, he inspected piggeries accredited under the Approved Farming Scheme. In 2012, Mr Robinson retired to a 60-acre farm in Grenfell in the Mid-West NSW, where he now runs a few cattle and an alpaca. He was approached by Dr Wright and became a board member of RSPCA NSW following 2 years of retirement from the RSPCA. Mr Robinson still retained a close interest in the working of the RSPCA, as he had developed a huge respect for the aims of the Society, it’s staff and it’s great supporters.

MA (Oxon)

Director

Ms Steele is a life member of RSPCA NSW and has supported the RSPCA since childhood. She has a PHD from Oxford University and has worked as a volunteer with several community organisations in NSW over many years, including RSPCA NSW, where she worked with the Education Team and assisted in fundraising activities. She became a board member of RSPCA NSW following the invitation from Dr Wright.

MBA, GAICD, Grad Dip of Investigations Mgt

Chief Executive Officer

Since joining RSPCA NSW in 1991, Steve has held many positions; Inspector, Deputy Chief Inspector, Chief Inspector, Deputy CEO and now CEO. This has significantly assisted in developing his leadership style and approach, with the primary purpose of RSPCA NSW at the core of his development. Steve’s tertiary qualifications include a Graduate Diploma in Investigations Management and a Masters in Business Administration. Steve has extensive experience in stakeholder management including local, state and federal government, industry and media experience. With many years managing staff (approximately 500), volunteers (approximately 1500) and with a grassroots experience base, Steve is able to guide RSPCA NSW’s strategic development and execution.