Our Board
The Community Challenge Services’ board of eight dedicated board members guides our decision-making. We have a strong commitment to providing the services our community needs now and into the future. Our board members have experience and expertise in the disability sector as well as finance and the media.
JOHN GLYNN
John Glynn is the chair of the Challenge Community Services Board. Mr Glynn has been a practising solicitor in Queensland and New South Wales for over 35 years. Mr Glynn joined the Challenge board in 2017 to assist the local community. He said being able to help the disadvantaged in society was ample reward for providing the board with his extensive legal experience. Mr Glynn is currently involved in Youth Insearch and was formerly a member of the Rotary Club of Australia. Mr Glynn has an avid interest in flying and aviation in general. His interest has led him to a position on the Board of Directors of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Australia.
DR STEPHEN HOWLE OAM
Dr Stephen Howle OAM has had experience with various boards and Committees including the medical staff councils at the Base hospital and Tamara; board member and chair of NW Slopes Division of General Practice; board member of the New England Medicare Local; board member of the NSW Faculty of the Royal Australian College of General Practice. At present, he is on the board of Healthwise, a not-for-profit organisation that offers allied health services in New England, North West and southern Queensland. As well as a board member of Peel Health Care, a local Tamworth general practice.
TED WILKINSON OAM
Ted Wilkinson OAM first joined the Challenge Community Services board in 1978, after being involved in the disability sector for many years. He has guided Challenge with his business expertise since then, becoming a Life Member and chairman for 5 years until 2018. Before his retirement from local radio, Mr Wilkinson’s career spanned 38 years at the New England Commercial Radio Network. The past 25 years has been spent as a primary producer on his property at Willow Tree. He is also on the board of the Quirindi Jockey Club and a member of the Willow Tree Bowling Club. Mr Wilkinson said he was thankful for the hard work of both staff and the board, who continue to provide great services and outcomes for Challenge clients, carers, children and the community.
LOUISE MATTHEWS
Louise Matthews has been a director since 2003 and brings 30 years of business experience to the Challenge Community Services board. Mrs Matthews said Challenge’s growth over the past two decades has been phenomenal and she was proud of the way the organisation has never lost sight of its core values, particularly its focus on, and responsibility for, its clients, carers and children. Mrs Matthews is an active member of the Rotary Club of Tamworth – First Light. She has received the Paul Harris Fellow twice, for her contribution at a club level and her work with Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). Ms Matthews is the ‘RYLA Mum’, and is heavily involved with this personal and professional development camp for leaders of the future.
CHRIS DURKIN
Chris Durkin has served as a director on the Challenge Community Services board since 2002. As the father of a daughter with a disability, he felt it was his duty to assist the organisation wherever he could and he enjoys having input into the disability industry. Mr Durkin said it was very rewarding to know he was a part of an organisation helping those less fortunate. He said the decisions the Challenge Board of Directors make had the potential to have a huge impact on the lives of its clients, carers, and children. Mr Durkin has been a member of the South Tamworth Lions Club for 35 years. His interest in clay target shooting has led to his involvement with the Tamworth Clay Target Club, including six years as their treasurer.
KEVIN HUMPHRIES
Kevin Humphries has been a part of the Challenge board since 2023. He has spent 12 years in State Government and with this brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help strengthen discussions in the Boardroom.
NIC HINWOOD
Nic Hinwood joined the Challenge board in 2023. He is the founder and Managing Director of a creative agency in Tamworth, NSW and has over 18 years of business strategy, design and business development in regional Australia.
NATALIE DOBINSON
Natalie Dobinson joined the Challenge board in 2024. She manages the provision of audit and assurance services in an accounting and financial services firm. She has more than 20 years experience and specialises in the Not-For-Profit and Charity sector.
KEVIN KELLY AM - PATRON
Mr Kevin Kelly AM joined the Challenge Community Services Board of Directors in 1961, when his daughter Rose enrolled at the Bullimbal School. His service to the organisation includes 29 years as chairman of the board. With 70 years’ experience in running his property at Spring Ridge and an expertise in diplomacy to his position, he has been rewarded for his work by seeing many positive outcomes for Challenge as an organisation and for the community. In 2009, Mr Kelly was awarded an AM for his services to people with a disability. When he is not devoting his time to Challenge, the church or his farm, Mr Kelly can be found reading, spending time with family and friends, or travelling.
