Gary has over 40 years of strategic management experience within government and non-government sectors, 37 of which have been dedicated to the development of Eighty9 Limited.

In 1989 Gary co-founded Eighty9 Limited as Inner Western Workskills, and has served as Managing Director and Public Officer of the Association since this time. As a constant member of the Executive team, Gary has also held Board positions as Executive Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of the Association. Gary is currently the Executive Chairman of Eighty9 Limited.

In 2015 Gary was made a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, recognising the stewardship and success achieved in directing the work of Eighty9 Limited.

Julie commenced with Eighty9 Limited in 1989 in a voluntary capacity, consultant, and then in 1997 as the Executive Manager, Finance. Since this time Julie has served within Inner Western Workskills as a founding member of the Board of Directors of Status, Treasurer of Eighty9 Limited, and founding Board member of Dress for Success Adelaide.

As a University qualified Accountant and a Fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Public Accountants, Julie remains responsible for all of the auditing and financial reporting of Eighty9 Limited and its brands.

Vikki commenced with Eighty9 Limited in 1995 as a Vocational Trainer in Retail.

Vikki is a founding Director of Status, and since retiring from the operational side of the Organisation in 2014 has continued as a non-Executive Director on the Status board, as well as serving on the board of Eighty9 Limited.

With Masters qualifications in education and counselling, Vikki has a particular interest in Training Services and especially the roles that literacy and numeracy, vocational training, and employability skills development play in assisting disadvantaged people into paid work. Vikki is also a founding Board member of Dress for Success and strongly believes that building self-esteem, especially in unemployed women, plays a vital role in preparing for work.

David commenced with Eighty9 Limited in 1997, and until his retirement in 2014 served as the Executive Manager Corporate and Disability Services.

David is one of the original Directors of Status, and in his role as Executive Manager Corporate and Disability Services he has overseen contractual performance and governance across our brands and services. From 2010 to 2014 David directly managed our new Disability Employment Services (DES) contract, and DES remains a special interest both personally and professionally as a Fellow of the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors.

In 2023, David was admitted to membership of the Rehabilitation Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand. David remains actively involved as a non-Executive Director and board member of Eighty9 Limited.

For many years, Bennjamin has lived with a health condition that can affect his speech, movement and energy levels. While he is well most days, there are times when his health can change suddenly and have a big impact on daily life. Over time, Bennjamin has learned what supports his wellbeing. Staying active, spending time outdoors, eating well and doing hands-on activities such as fishing, hiking and building help him feel stronger, clearer in his thinking and better able to manage challenges when they arise.
A deep understanding of resilience and perseverance has grown from Benjamin’s personal experiences. Bennjamin has developed practical strategies to maintain his wellbeing and values the opportunity to share these with others. He is motivated to support people who may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about their next steps, offering reassurance, empathy and hope shaped by what he has learned along the way.
Bennjamin joined the Disability Advisory Panel because he has a natural desire to support others and contribute to positive change. His personal experiences navigating health, work and daily life give him valuable insight into what works well and what could be improved. Through his role on the panel, he wants to help strengthen supports, reduce barriers and create better outcomes for people in the community.

Autism, macular eye degeneration, dyslexia, and depression has given Erik a unique perspective on wellbeing. He has faced a range of challenges and learned what strategies and supports help along with, what doesn’t. Erik values being open about his experiences and reflecting on the approaches that have supported his personal growth.
Sharing experiences and challenges with others is something Erik enjoys. He believes that talking honestly about what has worked and what hasn’t can help people feel understood and supported. Contributing in this way allows him to offer practical insights drawn from real-life experience.
Erik wanted to join the Disability Advisory Panel because he is passionate about using his lived experience to make a difference. He is keen to support others and take part in conversations that can lead to positive change.

Drawing on a lifetime of lived experience, Jennifer brings deep personal insight shaped by her own disability and those of family and close friends. Her experience spans a wide range of conditions, including epilepsy, heart disease, mental health, and chronic illness. Having undergone open-heart surgery and continuing to manage ongoing health conditions, she focuses on maintaining physical activity while carefully balancing her energy and wellbeing. What helps her most is understanding her limits, pacing herself, and listening to her body.
With a deep sense of compassion and real-world insight, Jennifer is motivated to support others as they navigate disability, financial hardship, and complex service systems. Her personal experience with poverty has given her a practical understanding of external supports and community resources. In her advocacy work with the National Council of Women, along with her involvement in SACOSS and SAPN, she has developed a strong respect for the value of lived experience and the importance of ensuring people have the information and confidence to make choices that suit their own circumstances.
Motivated by finding her voice, Jennifer joined the panel to use her life experience to create meaningful change. After spending 16 years homeless, she gained secure housing and, with the support of community organisations, developed confidence through media training and advocacy work. She now speaks openly and honestly, valuing her experiences as a powerful source of knowledge, and is committed to contributing thoughtfully to discussions that influence inclusion and decision-making.

Shaped by lived experience and professional practice, Lisa-Marie’s experience of disability is not always visible and is connected to traumatic life experiences. Alongside this, she has many years of experience working with people with disability and is deeply passionate about sharing this knowledge. Throughout her career, she has advocated for and supported people with disability, including providing tailored support to young people through the Flow Program. She has also supported First Nations People through cultural commitments and volunteered for six years with the Seeds of Affinity program, assisting women released from prison and supporting a wide range of individual needs.
Grounded in connection and empathy, Lisa-Marie enjoys helping others because of her ability to work one-on-one and build trust through shared understanding. Having experienced trauma herself, she is able to provide tailored, individualised support to people with similar backgrounds. Her experience allows her to establish common ground, creating a safe and trusting environment where people feel comfortable to share openly and receive support that reflects their circumstances.
Guided by a long-standing commitment to advocacy, Lisa-Marie became involved in the panel after being encouraged by BlueSky Mind Studio and Status, Port Adelaide. Drawing on her upbringing and extensive experience, she is motivated to contribute thoughtful insight and support inclusive, community-focused outcomes.

Living with a late autism diagnosis, Ricky has developed a deeply personal understanding of disability and what it means to navigate the world differently. Being diagnosed at 29 helped him make sense of years spent managing social situations, sensory overload, and communication challenges without knowing why they felt so difficult. For a long time, masking and trying to fit in led to burnout and a loss of connection to his authentic self. Since his diagnosis, Ricky has focused on self-compassion, learning his needs, and advocating for environments where neurodivergence is respected. He recognises both the challenges and strengths autism brings, including deep focus, creativity, and a strong sense of empathy for others who often feel misunderstood.
At the heart of Ricky’s passion for helping others is a genuine desire to ensure people feel seen, heard, and understood. His own journey allows him to support others not from theory, but from shared experience. Ricky values listening, patience, and recognising that no two experiences of disability are the same. He enjoys sharing practical strategies that have helped him navigate everyday life, access supports, and advocate for his needs. Above all, he believes in empowering people to embrace who they are and feel confident asking for what they need, creating inclusive spaces where individuals feel safe, respected, and affirmed.
Committed to creating more inclusive outcomes, Ricky joined the panel to help shape accessible and respectful systems for people with disabilities. He has seen how services, workplaces, and everyday environments can unintentionally overlook neurodivergent experiences, particularly those that are less visible. Through his involvement, Ricky aims to bridge the gap between policy and real-life experience, ensuring diverse voices are genuinely valued in decision-making. He is passionate about contributing to spaces where people with disabilities are supported to participate fully, influence change, and thrive.