New South Wales Government

MACA members

Each of our members is appointed by the NSW Government, on the recommendation of the Minister for Ageing. Members are generally appointed for a period of three years. These terms may be extended another year.

Click each name to find out more about our members.

Ms Angela Chan
Emeritus Professor Sol Encel
Ms Sue Field
Dr Janet George
Mrs Thelma McCarthy, AM
Mr Pino Migliorino, Chair

Ms Sigrid Patterson, ex officio member
Ms Neita Scott
Rev Thomas Slockee, Deputy Chair
Ms Nihal Uckan
Dr Peter Westerway

Ms Angela Chan

Angela Chan was the first Australian born Chinese woman to be admitted as a barrister. She has been a member of several government committees and was formerly the Chairperson of the Ethnic Communities' Council of NSW. She is a registered migration agent and trained mediator. Ms Chan was appointed January 2007. 

 

 

Emeritus Professor Sol Encel

Sol Encel was previously Professor of Sociology at UNSW and is Emeritus Professor and Honorary Research Associate at Social Policy Research Centre. He has published extensively on ageing issues including on mature age employment, age discrimination, bereavement, retirement and volunteerism. He is co-editor of Longevity and Social Change in Australia (2007). Professor Encel was appointed in January 2006.

 

 

Ms Sue Field

Sue Field is the Inaugural Public Trustee NSW Fellow in Elder Law at the University of Western Sydney. Her background is in nursing education and as a solicitor. Her particular interests are in the legal needs of older people, substitute decision-making, access to justice and lifelong learning. Ms Field was appointed in January 2006.

 

 

Dr Janet George

Dr Janet George is Honorary Associate Professor and a former Head of the Department of Social Work, Social Policy and Sociology at the University of Sydney. She is a member of the University’s Human Research Ethics Committee and Secretary of the Cardiomyopathy Association of Australia. Dr George has extensive professional networks in the Asia Pacific region and has authored a number of publications on health and ageing issues. Her interests include healthy ageing, health care and end-of-life issues. 

Mrs Thelma McCarthy, AM

Thelma McCarthy AM has been involved in grassroots, regional and national community activity for 40-50 years including on the Australian Bicentennial Authority, Armidale Health Service Advisory Committee and Armidale Ex Service Women’s Association. She is on the Board of Challenge Armidale and Arts North West. She has long established regional and state networks, in local and NSW Government and in community services and health. She lives in Armidale. She was chair of Armidale and New England Hospital Advisory Board for four years. Mrs McCarthy was appointed in January 2006.

 

Mr Pino Migliorino, Chair

Pino Migliorino is Managing Director of Cultural Perspectives and Cultural and Indigenous Centre (CIRCA) Research. He has a background in multicultural affairs and is an active member of the Italian community. His particular interest is aged care services for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Mr Migliorino was appointed in January 2007.

 

 
 

 Ms Sigrid Patterson, ex-officio member

Sigrid Patterson Director, Office for Ageing and the ex-officio member representing the Director-General, NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care.

 

 

Ms Neita Scott

Ms Neita Scott is a Wiradjuri woman from Narromine. She has been involved in Aboriginal affairs at local, regional, state, national and international level for many years. She is currently the Chair of the Narromine Aboriginal Lands Council and a member of the NSW Housing Appeals Committee and the Narromine Health Council. Her particular interests include housing, health, legal and women’s issues.

 

 

Rev Thomas Slockee, Deputy Chair

Thomas Slockee is an Aboriginal elder in Walbunja Country. He lives in Batemans Bay. He is an ordained Priest with the Anglican Church, serving the people in the Far South Coast of NSW. Rev Slockee is the Chair of Aboriginal Housing Office Board and is a respected, recognised leader and advocate for Aboriginal housing and health. He is also a Board Member of Campbell Page, a non-profit provider of employment, training and community services. Rev Slockee was appointed in January 2007.

 

Ms Nihal Uckan

Nihal Uckan is an active member of the Turkish community, currently serving as the Illawarra Turkish Community Liaison Officer and Secretary of the Illawarra Turkish Association. She is the Illawarra Regional Advisory Council’s representative to the Community Relations Commission for a multicultural NSW and a carer for people with dementia with the Illawarra Ethnic Communities Council. Currently studying Gerontology and Rehabilitation Studies at the University of Wollongong, her interests include the welfare of older people in the Illawarra area and the history of the Turkish community in NSW. Ms Uckan was appointed in January 2007.

Dr Peter Westerway

Peter Westerway has wide-ranging experience as a political scientist, television producer, senior public servant and statutory officer. He has been Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal, Trustee of the International Institute of Communications, Visiting Professor at the Graduate School of Management, Macquarie University and President of the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Currently he is Honorary Research Associate at the Department of Economics and Political Science, University of Sydney and a consultant in communications. Dr Westerway was appointed in January 2006.