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Meet The Team

Margaret Fisk AM (Retired)

Position: Founder

Margaret is the Founder of DSNSG and she also held the position of National Coordinator/Secretary from 1993 to January 2013.

Margaret’s involvement with DSNSG began in late 1993 when she formed the group due to the experiences her family had when trying to obtain services for their son who has severe disabilities.

Margaret has received several awards for her work with people with disabilities including being appointed a member in the Order of Australia and the Carer Innovation Award from the Carers Association of Australia. Margaret was also awarded a Centenary Medal from the Federal Government.

Claire Macfarlane-Rowles

Position: President

Claire is the DSNSG President. She is a Mum of 4, with the youngest diagnosed special needs. She has been a Defence spouse for many, many, years, as such, she is aware of the challenges faced by families on a daily basis.

Cherie Davis

Position: Vice President

Cherie and her family have been part of the Defence for over 30 years and a member of DSNSG since 2005.

With having her own children with special needs, herself, she understands the trials and tribulations that Defence families have to navigate especially Defence Special Needs family.

Naomi Harn

Position: Treasurer

Naomi was elected to the DSNSG board at the 2025 AGM and is now DSNSGs Treasurer.

Trich George

Position: National Administration and Liaison Officer (NALO)

Trich was appointed the NALO in January 2023 and has been a member of DSNSG since 2021.

Trich has a teenager with Fragile X syndrome and is a defence spouse of 20+ years. 

Henrik Ehlers AM JP

Position: Ambassador

Henrik joined the DSNSG in March 2018 after completing over 36 years in the Permanent Air Force. His RAAF service was primarily in the fields of logistics and personnel, having spent the later part in senior personnel roles. His last position was as Director General Personnel - Air Force. He remains an active Reservist, working mainly on projects for Air Force Headquarters. Henrik has had extensive connection with DSNSG and, when he ‘retired’ from full time work, he wanted to contribute to DSNSG in a meaningful way. As our Ambassador, his role is two-fold: to mentor and support the National Executive Committee and act as our advocate across senior levels of Government, Defence and supporting Industry. Henrik is married to Katrina, a retired RAAF Personnel Capability Officer. Their interests include good wine and food, reading, science fiction shows, travel and gardening.

Rikki-Lee Byrne

Position: Board Member

Rikki-Lee was elected to the DSNSG board at the 2025 AGM.

Melanie Graham

Position: Board Member

Local Coordinators

Karrie Blanch

Position: Cairns Coordinator

Karrie Blanch is the coordinator for Cairns. Karrie is a Registered Nurse, a proud Navy spouse and her family have been DSNSG Members since 2016.

Liza Gale

Position: Reserve Coordinator

Liza is a mother of two who joined in 2022 and has been part of the Defence community for 10+ years. She seeks to provide a social platform for families with similar needs to come together, support one another and share information to minimise the challenges that the military lifestyle brings.

Cherie Davis

Position: Townsville Coordinator

Cherie is the Vice President and the Local Coordinator for Townsville. Cherie and her family have been part of the Defence for over 30 years and a member of DSNSG since 2005.

With having her own children with special needs, herself, she understands the trials and tribulations that Defence families have to navigate especially Defence Special Needs family

Danielle Dobbie

Position: Richmond Coordinator

Robyn Finnis

Position: Reserve Coordinator

Coordinator Team

Local Coordinators

The Defence Special Needs Support Group is privileged to have a dedicated and enthusiastic Coordinator Team.
The Coordinator Team is comprised of all local DSNSG Coordinators. Members of the Coordinator Team, like the National Committee, are all volunteers.

  • Adelaide:
    Rikki-Lee Byrne
  • Albury/Wodonga:
    Vacant
  • Amberley:
    Kerry Moretti
  • Brisbane:
    Vacant
  • Cairns:
    Karrie Blanche
  • Canberra:
    Vacant
  • Darling Downs:
    Vacant
  • Darwin:
    Vacant
  • Gold Coast:
    Vacant
  • Katherine | Tindal:
    Vacant
  • Melbourne:
    Vacant
  • Mornington Peninsula:
    Joanna Minuzzo
  • Newcastle / Williamtown:
    Vacant
  • Nowra:
    Vacant
  • Perth North:
    Vacant
  • Perth South:
    Vacant
  • Puckapunyal:
    Naomi Harn
  • Richmond:
    Vacant
  • Sale:
    Jacqeline Sinclair
  • Sydney:
    Vacant
  • Tamworth:
    Vacant
  • Tasmania:
    Robyn Finnis
  • Townsville:
    Cherie Davis
  • Wagga Wagga:
    Vacant