Living & Learning Pakenham Inc. is governed by a voluntary team of industry experts from within the community. The Board meets monthly, setting the overall direction and strategy of the organisation and monitoring its financial viability and sustainability.
If you are interested in becoming a LLP Board member please email your expression of interest and resume to admin@livinglearning.org.au. For a confidential chat about the function of the Board and roles of its members, please contact Audra Fenton, LLP CEO, on 03 5941 2389.
President – Dr Ian Fraser
Ian Fraser began his career as an economist at the Reserve Bank of Australia. In 1975 he moved to RMIT becoming Deputy Dean of the Business Faculty from 1996 to 2005. He then became the inaugural Director of the RMIT International College retiring in 2010.
Ian has had various voluntary roles on Boards including as Treasurer at St Margaret’s School and at Haileybury where he is a Life Governor.
Vice President – Mr Tony Ross
Tony lives in Bunyip and is an educator with four degrees from Monash University.
He is a schools inspector and advisor, Director at Bunyip BB Bank. He also assists managing voluntary work in the Philippines.
Treasurer – Mr Frank Piccolo
Frank graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (1976) and a Diploma of Education (1977) and began teaching at Lakeside Secondary School in 1978. He remained there until the end of 1988, and during that time he taught Commerce related subjects at years 9 to 12 level.
During this time Frank became an active member of the Parents, Teachers and Citizens Association (PTCA) and the Lakeside Italian Parents Assoc (LIPA). He was elected teachers’ representative on the School Council and became involved in the governance of the school, eventually becoming the School’s Treasurer, and continued this role into the 1990s.
In 1989 Frank opened a small Accounting and Taxation Practice in Fairfield. His practice grew, and in 2007 he joined forces with KSR Partners in Surrey Hills and continued working there as a senior accountant until he retired at the end of 2017.
Today Frank continues his small practice, working from home. Frank became involved with Living and Learning, becoming the local volunteer for the ATO’s Tax Help program in which Living and Learning was a participating body, and from this point he was asked to join the Board of Directors.
Secretary – Ms Tina Valentine
Secretary – Dr Marian Matic
During nearly 30 years working in tertiary education institutions, Marian has gained experience in many fields including intellectual disability, adult education, migrant education and international education. Early in her career she was also a registered psychologist. During the 10 years preceding her retirement in 2012, she was the academic manager of RMIT University’s Foundation Studies programs. She has a Master’s degree in psychology, a graduate diploma in Education and a PhD in English. Since retiring, she has spent much of her time doing voluntary work, hiking, sewing, reading, learning German and solving the cryptic crosswords in Friday’s Age.
Member – Ms Prachi Beniwal
Prachi is currently a full-time university student studying Medicine at Monash University and living in Officer. She was deputy mayor and mayor on the Cardinia Shire’s first youth council and has since also worked with the culturally and linguistically diverse advisory committee. She’s passionate about representing the local youth and ensuring that their needs of our increasingly diverse community are catered for. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing and spending time in nature.
Member – Mr Brijal Parikh
Brijal is an Australian citizen who migrated from Mumbai, India in 2002, and follows the Pushti Marg (Hindu) faith. His journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to family, community, and professional excellence. He’s been married to his wife Dhwani for 21 years, and together they are proud parents to their son, Priyansh.
With over 26 years of experience in the workforce, Brijal is a highly skilled IT and Telecommunications Project Delivery Consultant, driven by the belief that “for every problem, there is a solution.” Throughout his career, he’s led and delivered complex, high-value projects across infrastructure deployment, managed services, governance, quality assurance, and vendor/contract management.
Brijal brings a strategic mindset and divisional leadership experience, paired with a dynamic, adaptable, and solutions-focused approach. He is known for his proactive attitude, strong attention to detail, and ability to navigate challenges with composure and clarity.
In addition to Brijal’s technical and management capabilities, he excels in communication, stakeholder engagement, and negotiation—building trusted, long-term relationships across diverse teams and business environments.
Outside of work, Brijal is passionate about giving back to the community. Community service has played a vital role in his life since his teenage years, shaping who he is and reinforcing his belief in the power of local solutions for lasting impact.
Member – Ms Radmilla Dyson
Radmila is a dedicated community advocate and co-founder of Officer City Soccer Club, where she currently serves as Treasurer and Equity & Inclusion Officer. She has been a driving force behind the club’s inclusive culture and community engagement, supporting its growth, whose diversity proudly reflects the local community.
Radmila has helped the club deliver programs in partnership with Football Victoria, Monash Health, Proud2Play, and local community groups.
Professionally, Radmila brings over 25 years of experience in financial and compliance roles, and manages WorkSafe and BSI quality systems in her current role.
Member – Ms Cheree Appledore
Cheree is currently working full-time as a Bank Manager and is a dedicated community leader who has been actively involved in Officer City Soccer Club since 2001. She serves as President of Officer City and has played a central role in the club’s expansion and community reach to expand to Officer City Table Tennis and Officer City Badminton.
Under her leadership, the club has grown to over 22 teams and expanded into partnerships with Football Victoria, Victorian Churches Football Association, Bayside Football Association and Monash Health. She has also established over 30 committee positions across executive, youth, events, and fundraising teams within the clubs.
Her passion for sports, combined with a long-standing commitment to supporting local communities, empowering youth, inclusion, diversity, participation, and volunteer-driven development continues to strengthen community sport, local businesses and community groups across Pakenham, Officer and surrounding areas.
Member – Dr Harpreet Kandra
Bio available soon.
Member – Dhruti Parikh
Dhruti Parikh is a final-year PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne and St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, specialising in immune cell development.
She serves on the Youth Committee at Officer City Soccer Club and contributes to the Cardinia Shire Council’s Women and Girls Sport and Participation Network, supporting initiatives that reduce barriers for women and girls in local sport.
At the University of Melbourne, Dhruti has developed strong leadership, governance, and communication skills through a range of volunteer roles. She mentors students through the Graduate Student Association’s PhD Peer Program and In2Science, helping students build confidence, science literacy, and a sense of belonging. She has also served as Secretary of the St Vincent’s Student Society, coordinating meetings and supporting governance, as Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the MDHS Graduate Research Conference, connecting hundreds of students and staff, and as a committee member within the Melbourne Medical School, shaping programs and policies that empower graduate researchers.
Dhruti brings to the Living Learning Pakenham Board a collaborative leadership style, governance experience, a strong commitment to community well-being, and a passion for ensuring young people are heard and supported within the local community.
Member – Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott AM
Dorothy was born in Wales in 1952 and migrated to Australia as a young child with her family. She is a retired social worker, researcher, consultant, and policy advisor who lives with her husband near Emerald. Her current academic roles include being an Honorary Professorial Fellow in Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne and Emeritus Professor of the Australian Centre for Child Protection at Adelaide University. Her professional work has been in the fields of child and family welfare, maternal and child health, and mental health.
Her previous positions include Head of the School of Social Work at the University of Melbourne; Executive Officer of The Ian Potter Foundation; Foundation Chair and Director of the Australian Centre for Child Protection; and Director of Bracton Consulting. She has undertaken several child protection inquiries in different States, including the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry in 2011.
Dorothy has served on several boards, including the Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital and the Myer Foundation. She currently serves on the Equality and Inclusion Committee of the Sidney Myer Fund. Dorothy is a life member or patron of several community service organisations (eg Playgroup Victoria, Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare and Permanent Care & Adoptive Families).
In her retirement Dorothy has been active as a volunteer tutor in Emerald U3A. She is the Quaker representative on the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce and has a strong interest in the resettlement of refugees. Dorothy is also active in local environmental groups working to protect endangered species.
In 2017 she was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to the rights of children.