GOVERNANCE

Board members

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Who are they?

PRESIDENT

James Garriock

Elected: 2019, re-elected 2022

James is the father of three riders and is committed to a healthier, happier, more sustainable Australia. 

Professionally, James is an engagement researcher. He works for a range of clients improving engagement between organisations and their customers, members, employees and other stakeholders with surveys, focus groups, deliberative forums and more. 

James is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Williamson Community Leadership Program. In addition to his work related directorships he is a director of the Melbourne Forum and past director of the Darebin Creek Management Committee. 

James’ commute is currently on a three year car/public transport free streak come rain, hail or shine. When he’s not navigating Collins St you’ll find him gravel riding in the hills, doing multi day MTB adventures in the mountains or leading Peaks Challenge training rides as a BN volunteer.

Vice President

Emilie van de Graaff

Elected: 2021

Emilie has over 20 years’ experience across the spectrum of transport modes with significant knowledge of both public and private sectors. She has held strategic and operational roles, always pushing to improve customer experience and looking to innovate service delivery to the benefit of the customer.

Emilie currently runs her own transport consultancy, working with clients across Australia and New Zealand.

Emilie has been riding a bike since she was 4 years old in the Netherlands, and continues to ride for leisure and commuting, including taking her son to school every day.

Emilie has been a strong advocate for sustainable transport throughout her career and she is particularly passionate advocate for cycling, which includes working in a volunteer capacity on the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group.  

Board member

Jenica Brooke

Elected: 2020

Jenica is a strong believer in the promotion of better cycling infrastructure, legislation, behavioural change programs, and other road safety initiatives that benefit vulnerable road users. For the last five years, she has been involved in various small community groups in advocating for: Minimum Passing Distance Legislation; better cycling outcomes related to Victorian State Government projects such as the Level Crossing Removals; and safe bike lanes on Sydney Rd.

Jenica is the creator of the popular facebook page “Melbourne Commuter” and a Chartered Accountant with over 10 years’ experience in professional services and corporate governance. Who brings not only passion, but a real-life knowledge of cycling issues that affect Bicycle Network’s members every day. 

BOARD MEMBER

Jo Curtin

Elected: 2015, re-elected in 2018 & 2021

Jo is a commuter cyclist and has been an active Bicycle Network volunteer since 2008. She encourages Bicycle Network to embrace riders of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, advocate for better infrastructure, support riders lacking confidence, and demonstrate cycling’s environmental and health benefits. Jo is passionate about social justice and has put this passion into practice through her work in community broadcasting over the past 20 years.

Jo is the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Broadcasting Foundation – a not-for-profit organisation that supports and champions community broadcasting across Australia. Jo is also a founding member of the Collingwood Football Club’s AFL Women’s team, an avid reader and a community activist.

Board member

Keir Paterson

Elected: 2016, co-opted to the Board in 2019, re-elected in 2020

Keir has experienced first-hand the positive impact of riding a bike. In 2008, he rode to work for the first time and, over time, experienced a transformation in his physical and mental health. He truly believes that cycling saved his life and now rides every day for transport or fun. As a Bicycle Network member, he was greatly assisted by free legal advice following a bike accident and decided to give back to the organisation by running for the Board. He has participated in eight Around the Bays and Peaks Challenge Falls Creek and Cradle Mountain.

In his day job he is a General Manager at mental health nor-for-profit SuperFriend, which is funded by industry super funds and their insurers to provide preventative mental health strategies to 7.5M working Australians. He is a Director of Bicycles 4 Humanity Melbourne and holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School. He lives in the inner west of Melbourne with his partner, three kids and eight bikes.

Board member

Prita Jobling-Baker

Elected: 2019, re-elected 2022

Prita is a mother, a lawyer, and a rider of bicycles for commuting, recreation, racing and touring. She is passionate about getting more people on bikes and increasing the proportion of women riding – she’s volunteered at Bicycle Network as a pace setter and women’s ambassador for Peaks Challenge and Around the Bay, and as a Ride2Work Day Bicycle Angel.

Prita has Bachelors of Science and Laws, and a Master of Laws. Her professional experience is in policy, law reform, strategic advocacy and criminal law, having worked forgovernment, statutory entities and regulatory agencies.

In joining the Bicycle Network Board, Prita hopes to help carry our message to the community and the government, building perceptions of cycling as safe, healthy, sustainable, fun and achievable for all abilities.

Board member

Jennifer Lang

Co-opted: 2021 & 2023

Jennifer has been a bike commuter to Sydney’s CBD for 20 years, graduating to riding in winter as well as summer a few years ago. When she can persuade her family, she also loves supported cycle touring, having enjoyed cycling around the world including Vietnam, Myanmar, New Zealand, and a few countries in Europe. In 2020, she has been exploring the new popup bike paths of Sydney and has experienced first-hand the difference it makes to cycling and cyclists lives when cycling infrastructure starts becoming a network.

In her professional life, Jennifer is a Non Executive Director and Actuary, where her professional experience is in supporting and advising insurance companies and superannuation funds on financial and risk management. As an actuary, she is passionate about the difference that good data and analysis can make to decision making, and writes about this on her blog actuarial eye. She lives on Sydney’s lower north shore with her family.

Board member

Samuel Butcher

Co-opted: 2023

Sam rides recreationally, and as a commuter and is a volunteer leader of BN training rides for Peaks Challenge and Around the Bay. 

His professional background is in governance, with degrees in law and commerce.  He started his career as a lawyer then held senior company secretary roles at various companies. His day job is advising boards and executive teams on all aspects of enterprise governance. Sam is a longstanding member of the Governance Institute Legislation Review Committee and received the 2016 President’s Award of the Institute.

Sam is a long-time member and passionate supporter of BN’s purpose, and is committed to doing what he can to help more people ride more often.