Governance
The Royal Life Saving Society Western Australia is an incorporated association. The governance of Royal Life Saving is vested in a Board of Directors. Director positions are voluntary.

Board of Directors

Vaughan has built an extensive career in the public sector, starting as a casual pool lifeguard before moving into community services, tourism, and Aboriginal affairs. He spent a decade in local government overseeing the management and construction of swimming pools across regional Australia before becoming Regional Manager for Tourism WA in Broome. In 2016, he was appointed Director General of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and now serves as Assistant Director General at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.

A passionate open water swimmer with multiple Rottnest Channel crossings, Vaughan is deeply committed to drowning prevention and water safety. He first connected with Royal Life Saving WA through the Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools program and joined the Board’s Aboriginal Reference Group in 2017. Vaughan sees the organisation as a trusted and well-established leader in aquatic safety and governance. He is dedicated to ensuring all Western Australians have access to swimming and water safety programs, particularly in remote and multicultural communities, through strategic partnerships and strong leadership.

Dr. Justine Leavy is an Associate Professor in Health Promotion at Curtin University, where she leads research in injury prevention, health program evaluation, and mass media campaigns. As a Research Fellow with the Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health (CERIPH), she has spent over a decade evaluating Royal Life Saving WA’s drowning prevention programs, including Keep Watch, Adult Water Safety, and Youth Water Safety.

A widely published expert in public health, Justine is a member of the International Drowning Research Alliance and co-Director of the Drowning Prevention Evidence and Evaluation Project at Curtin University. She has held leadership positions in academia and health promotion, including serving on the Australian Health Promotion Association Board and as a member of Curtin University’s Academic Board.

Justine joined Royal Life Saving WA to bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring evidence-based strategies inform drowning prevention efforts. She is committed to using her expertise to enhance the organisation’s impact, helping Western Australians stay safe in and around the water.

Aaron is an experienced bio-pharmaceutical executive with more than 25 years in public health, focusing on risk management and improving access to healthcare for at-risk populations. His career has spanned the Asia-Pacific region, working to solve complex health challenges and develop strategic solutions for underserved communities.

A dedicated surf lifesaver, Aaron understands the dangers water presents, particularly to vulnerable groups. His lifelong connection to lifesaving has shaped his commitment to ensuring every Western Australian has the opportunity to learn essential swimming and water safety skills.

As a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Aaron brings strong governance expertise to the Board. He is passionate about upholding Royal Life Saving WA’s mission and contributing to its strategic direction to prevent drowning and create safer aquatic environments for all.

Lisa has been involved with Royal Life Saving WA since 1999, contributing to various programs, including VacSwim and the Honours and Awards Committee. With a deep understanding of the aquatics industry, she is committed to strengthening water safety initiatives and driving growth for the organisation.

Lisa has an extensive background in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and not-for-profit leadership. She has held senior roles with the Australian Olympic Committee and currently serves as Chief Operations Officer for The Friendship Games, where she leads program delivery and works closely with government and community partners.

Lisa is passionate about creating opportunities for collaboration and ensuring Royal Life Saving WA continues to evolve to meet the needs of the community. She believes in the importance of water safety education and is dedicated to supporting the organisation’s impact across Western Australia.

Jonathan is a senior executive with 30 years of leadership experience in governance, risk management, and strategic planning. His career includes nearly a decade as CEO of LGIS (WA’s local government mutual), as well as senior roles with major financial and risk advisory firms such as Marsh/JLT, AIG, and Aon.

Jonathan has worked extensively in the not-for-profit and for-purpose sectors, supporting organisations like St Vincent’s, Activ Foundation, and Amana Living to strengthen their governance frameworks. He holds multiple non-executive director roles, including with Scouts WA and Dale Cottages, and serves as an independent member for finance and audit committees.

A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Jonathan is dedicated to ensuring Royal Life Saving WA continues to operate with strong governance and financial sustainability. He is committed to supporting the organisation’s mission to prevent drowning and improve water safety outcomes across all communities.

Donna is a Yamatji woman and a descendant of the Malgana people of Shark Bay in Western Australia. With a background in research and community engagement, she has dedicated her career to advocating for Indigenous children, families, and cultural heritage.

As Manager of Danjoo Koorliny at the University of Western Australia, Donna works closely with Aboriginal communities to drive positive change. She has played a key role in Royal Life Saving WA’s Reconciliation Action Plan and contributed to research on Whadjuk Nyungar connections to the land surrounding the organisation’s head office.

Donna is passionate about ensuring Aboriginal communities have access to safe aquatic environments and culturally appropriate water safety programs. She brings valuable insights to the Board, supporting initiatives that strengthen community engagement and inclusion.

Patrick has nearly 20 years of experience in leadership and management, including 15 years in the disability sector. As CEO of Space for Life, he has led transformative organisational change, spearheading a major rebranding and restructuring initiative to enhance service delivery and compliance with NDIS requirements.

Coming from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, Patrick is deeply committed to inclusion and equity. He has firsthand experience with the barriers faced by multicultural communities and people with disabilities in accessing essential services, including aquatic programs.

With expertise in governance, risk management, and strategic planning, Patrick sees his role on the Board as an opportunity to contribute to Royal Life Saving WA’s mission. He is dedicated to strengthening community safety initiatives and ensuring all Western Australians can participate in safe aquatic activities.

Emily is a Master of Public Health student with research experience in cyber safety, health behaviours, and alcohol exposure. She has led projects in data analysis, evaluation, and stakeholder engagement, gaining skills that support evidence-based public health initiatives.

She has been actively involved in advocacy and leadership, serving as a Young People Advisory Group Member for the Alcohol Advertising and Aquatic Environments research project and as Co-Secretary of the Australian Health Promotion Association WA Branch.

Emily is passionate about drowning prevention and public health, particularly in high-risk populations. As a young leader and member of Royal Life Saving WA’s target demographic, she brings a unique perspective to the Board. She is committed to contributing to the organisation’s strategic vision and ensuring water safety initiatives remain relevant and impactful.

Peter Leaversuch

Chief Executive Officer

Allan Godfrey

Executive Manager, Organisational Development

Greg Tate

Executive Manager, Community Development

Travis Doye

General Manager, Aquatic Safety and Workforce

Trent Hotchkin

General Manager, Education and Training

Lauren Nimmo

General Manager, Advocacy and Research

Kirstie Beveridge-Smyth

General Manager, Corporate Services and Finance

Tim Turner

Head of Employment Programs

Laura Kazmirowicz

Head of Philanthropy

Board Meeting Schedule

DateTimeLocation
Thursday 29 May 20257.30am – 9.30amRoyal Life Saving Head Office, Mt Claremont
Thursday 26 June 20257.30am – 9.30amRoyal Life Saving Head Office, Mt Claremont
Thursday 31 July 20257.30am – 9.30amRoyal Life Saving Head Office, Mt Claremont
Thursday 28 August 20257.30am – 9.30amRoyal Life Saving Head Office, Mt Claremont
Thursday 25 September 20257.30am – 9.30amRoyal Life Saving Head Office, Mt Claremont

Annual General Meeting 2025

Thursday 23 October 2025
5.30pm – 7.30pm
Royal Life Saving WA – 12 McGillivray Road, Mt Claremont
Contact the Board
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A water loving nation free from drowning
Our Vision