ALPMA is proud to announce key updates to our leadership and committees.
National Board Updates
We are pleased to announce the reappointment of Stephen van Dorp (SLF Lawyers, Queensland) as President of the ALPMA Board, following our recent Annual General Meeting.
Also returning are Angela Scarfo (Police Credit Union SA & NT, South Australia) as Company Secretary, L&D Directors Gemma Wragg (Tavendale and Partners, New Zealand) and Emiliya Peneva (Jackson McDonald, WA), Branch Appointees Simon Dodwell (Piper Alderman, NSW) and Dayna Roberts (Commercial & Legal, South Australia), and David George (McCabes, Western Australia) as Treasurer.
We extend a warm welcome to newly appointed Vice President, Anthony Palella (PHV Law, Queensland) who joins the Board after six years on the Qld & NT Branch Committee, and to Tessa van Duyn (Moores, Victoria) bringing three years’ experience on the Victoria & Tasmania Branch Committee. Both Anthony and Tessa have also made immense contributions to the annual ALPMA Summit conference, with Anthony sitting on the Summit Program Committee and Tessa serving as conference MC for 2024 and 2025.
Finally, the Board acknowledges ten years of service from Tanya Burns (Nicholas O’Donohue, Victoria). Tanya has also served on the Victoria & Tasmania Branch Committee, the Governance Risk & Nominations committee, formed a vital part of the Crisis Management team in 2020, and most recently chaired the newly formed Membership Development Committee. With her wealth of experience and commitment to helping ALPMA thrive, Tanya returns as a Board Appointed Director in 2026.
The ALPMA Board sets the strategic direction for the association, with each volunteer dedicated to ALPMA’s purpose of driving the evolution of legal practice.
Meet the full ALPMA Board here.
Branch Committee Transitions
Across our branches, we’ve seen a wave of renewal as long-serving contributors continue their service, alongside new members stepping up and others standing down after years of commitment. Our branch committees perform a vital role in supporting members, delivering on local L&D needs, and providing opportunities for valuable, in-person connection.
New faces:
- Kirsten Dawson, New Zealand
- Lauren Ball and Chris Dormer, Queensland
- Rebecca Pit, Louisa Kappelos and Andrea Coleman, South Australia
- Charmaine Slater and Tenille Saffin, Victoria
- Kirsty McPhee, Carmen Maughan and Jai Saunders, Western Australia
Returning contributors:
- NSW/ACT: Ben Stack, Cathy Reynolds (Chair), Kylie Trewartha, Simon Dodwell
- New Zealand: Alice Tipoki-Lawton, Hayley Weber
- Qld/NT: Anthony Palella
- SA: Dayna Roberts (Chair), Liam Thompson
- Vic/Tas: Jill Simpson, Ruth Treleaven
- WA: Karen Cogoli (Chair)
Departures:
- Amanda Little, NSW
- Steven Duxfield, Julie Beck and Julie Knowles, New Zealand
- Bernice Witkowski, SA
- Tanya Burns (5 Terms completed) and Peter McGrath, Victoria
- Jeanna Brady, Myra Quartermaine and Elani Maas , WA
Thank you for your contributions!
Honouring Begonia Silvestre
In September, ALPMA proudly awarded Begonia Silvestre Life Membership in recognition of her outstanding service and commitment to our community. An ALPMA Member since 2009, Begonia served on the NSW/ACT Branch Committee, Crisis Management team during 2020, Summit Program Committee and the ALPMA Board as both Treasurer and Vice President. Her infectious enthusiasm and dedication to the value that ALPMA provides to members has left its unmistakeable mark on ALPMA’s culture.
Begonia also recently celebrated 35 years at Hunt & Hunt, where she’s been General Manager since 2016.
