Australia Team
The Australia office is led by Daniela Gavshon, Australia Director, who is focused on Australian advocacy and media work. Our Australia Researcher is Annabel Hennessy, and our Australia Associate is Alexandra Nothdurft. On the development and outreach side, Kate Rosenberg and Lisa Cole are our Associate Directors, and Tamanna Abdi is our Senior Associate. Gillian McGregor is our Operations Manager.
Human Rights Watch in Australia is supported by like-minded organisations and individuals who support us to expose tyranny, empower victims, and to tell their stories to the world.
If you want to get involved contact: ausoffice@hrw.org
The Australia Foundation in Support of Human Rights Watch Board
Penny Gerstle Director – 05/2018
Marusya Lazo Director - 11/2023
Laura Thomas Director – 10/2011
Daniela Gavshon Secretary
Global board members can be found here.
Australian Committees
Human Rights Watch is represented in Australia with committees in Sydney and Melbourne. The Australian committees raise awareness of local and global human rights issues in Australia, generate support, and mobilise the public and policy makers to recognise basic freedoms for all.
Sydney Committee
Penny Gerstle Chair
Michael Allison, CFA
Sally Breen
Georgie Bright
Thomas Calma
Jane Clifford
Monique Corah
Elizabeth Dibbs
Lyndell Droga
Craig Foster AM
Kathleen Gilbert
Phillip Keir
Amanda Laing
Jane Marquard
Angus McDonald
Daniela McMurdo
Mahir Momand
Professor Cav. Simon Mordant AO
Brendan O’Flynn
Marc Polese
Sheena Polese
Lenore Robertson AM
Joseph Skrzynski AO
Sam Stewart
Laura Thomas
Michael Williams
Prue Williams
Melbourne Committee
Wendy Brooks Chair
Joanna Beecher
Olivia Brown
Ian Hamm
Dalit Kaplan
Dianne Lucas
Fiona Nixon
Leigh O’Neill
Anna Wade
Honorary Committee
Andrew Kaldor AM
Julian Knights AO
James McMurdo
Morna Seres
Malcolm Spry
Maria Farmer
Dinner Committee
A network of supporters who attend our events, help promote the work of Human Rights Watch, and assist with organising and promoting our annual Voices for Justice Dinners.
Sydney
Marc Polese Co-Chair
Sheena Polese Co-Chair
Jane Clifford
Monique Corah
Lyndell Droga
Penny Gerstle
Kathleen Gilbert
Penny Hanan
Francoise Michel
Stephen Roberts
Lenore Robertson AM
Melbourne
Joanna Beecher
Chloe Quigley
Daisy Lynch
Adriana Pesavento
Daisy Slade
Outreach Committee
The Outreach Committee is a group of socially minded young professionals from diverse backgrounds and sectors, who work to promote Human Rights Watch.
Sydney
Tempe McMinn Chair
Sherine Al Shallah
Arisha Arif
Louis Austin
Mat Blake
Tallulah Bur
Hannah Burnett
Amanda Cebrian
Charlotte Evans
Macushla Flanagan
Nick Jordan
Lisa Lewis
James Prindiville
Brittany Tyne
Lei Wang