Governance

Brad Robertson is a serving Army senior officer and is currently the Commander of Joint Logistics Unit (Victoria). Brad’s strategic, values-driven approach to leadership has brought transformational change, innovation, and improvement within the Defence Department.

Having been deployed to East Timor, Afghanistan, and Aceh and commanded Rifle Company Butterworth in Malaysia, Brad has 28 years of exemplary military service.

When Brad is off duty from keeping our nation safe, he enjoys spending time with his three children and his wife, Kate.

Letitia Croxford is a Director and Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) with more than a decade of experience in corporate accounting and financial management.

Appointed to the Board in 2025, Letitia brings strong commercial insight and governance expertise, supporting the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability and its mission to improve outcomes for veterans and their families. Beyond her professional career, Letitia enjoys travelling with her husband and is looking forward to welcoming a new addition to their family in 2026.

Sharon Coates is a Senior Development Manager and Colonel in the Australian Army Reserve with over 25 years’ experience in infrastructure delivery, community development, and strategic leadership.

Combining her expertise in engineering, project management, and military service, she is deeply committed to supporting veterans, mentoring young leaders, and building resilient communities.

Lindsay is the founder and senior partner of P&B Law (Property and Business Lawyers) and brings a wealth of legal experience and contacts to the organisation.

Lindsay was appointed to the board 2020 and will play a vital role in assisting Carry On to roll out the strategic plan. The plan will increase the organisations reach, and relevance to those who have Served and Lindsay is particularly enthusiastic about being part of this project.

In his spare time, Lindsay likes keeping active with activities such as cycling, skiing and football. He also enjoys family time with his wife and two teenage children.

David McCourt DSM, OAM is a former naval officer with over 42 years’ service, including 28 years full time and the remainder as a reservist. He served as a warfare officer specializing in communications and electronic warfare and had command of the patrol boat HMAS Geraldton and the amphibious command ship HMAS Kanimbla.

During his time in Kanimbla the ship undertook two Middle East deployments, including combat operations in Iraq. Following these deployments Kanimbla was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation and David was honoured with a Distinguished Service Medal (DSM), Order of Australia Medal (OAM) and a USA Bronze Star medal.  He also served as a United Nations Military Observer (UNMO) Sector Commander in East Timor.

After leaving fill time military service, David was a Business Line Director in TAFENSW leading training delivery in a range of trades across 20 campuses. He also ran a beef cattle enterprise with his wife. In recent years David has worked as a consultant in the Middle East advising governments on organizational transformation and security.

Since leaving Navy David has continued his education including courses at the Australian Institute of Company Directors and completed a Masters Degree in Leadership.

David has served on the board of several education and health not-for-profit organisations.

As the daughter of a Royal Australian Naval Officer and being one herself, Tamara has lived at many different places and travelled extensively. She was born at Liss in England but also lived overseas in Hawaii and again in the United Kingdom during postings for her father. She commenced her education at St Kevin’s, Dee Why, continued at Haslemere in England before returning to St. Kevin’s and then Mater Maria, Warriewood.

Tamara completed secondary schooling at St. Clare’s in Canberra before commencing a BA at Canberra University and then joining the RAN in January 1987 at the Australian Defence Force Academy, completing her training at HMAS CRESWELL, Jervis Bay in 1988.

Her initial postings in the Navy were as an Administration Officer, generally in personnel management and community support areas, including Public Relations and media. This included time at sea onboard HMAS STALWART and HMAS TOBRUK. After qualifying as an Intelligence Officer, Tamara had operational postings in Maritime Headquarters, Headquarters Australia Theatre, at sea in USS CORONADO, Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, and finally as a member of the Interfet peacekeeping force under General Cosgrove in September 1999 in Timor Leste (East Timor). Her exposure to the sufferings of the civilian population following the atrocities during the Timorese struggle for independence, lead to her passionate involvement and desire to provide assistance. She became involved with orphanages and schools, organising food and aid packages to be sent to her for distribution while there and has continued this since then.

She married Adrian Harding, an Army officer, in September 1999, again keeping the Northern Beaches association, at St. Patrick’s, Manly. (She received the phone call about the deployment to Timor Leste during the wedding reception.) They have four children and, on settling in Avalon, Tamara transferred to the RAN Reserve (Inactive) as a Lieutenant Commander after almost 19 years in the RAN. Adrian working in a civilian defence support capacity, remains an active Army Reservist Lieutenant Colonel. Tamara and Adrian have four children. Vaughan aged 18, Isabeau 17, Xavier 15 and Armelle 14.

In March, 2011 she was honoured with the award of Pittwater Woman of the Year. She also received The Rotary International Service Award in recognition of outstanding human endeavour contributing to international peace and goodwill. On Australia Day 2016 she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her work for the communities of Timor Leste and Pittwater.