Our Board

The IGY6 Board comprises experienced professionals and community leaders who guide our organisation with strong governance and strategic direction. With expertise in mental health, veteran affairs, disability support, and community development, they ensure we remain committed to our mission and continue to provide high-quality support services.

Meet Our Board Members:

    John Giampino – Chair

    I served 31 years in the Australian Army as a Marine Specialist, deploying to Bougainville, East Timor, Afghanistan, and Solomon Islands. My jobs included trade related postings around Australia operating Army Watercraft, instructing both in trade and regimental postings and Warrant Officer Class One Senior trade advisor for HQ 1 Division and HQ 17 CSS Brigade.

    Unfortunately, due to my injuries, I was medically discharged from the Australian Army in 2017.


    Not long after my medical discharge, my mental well-being and self-worth started to deteriorate, and I was admitted to Ward 17. Between my admissions, my life went from bad to worse and in the end, I attempted suicide. It was at that stage I knew I've hit rock bottom and the only way I could get out of this feeling was to start climbing.


    I started doing what I love to do most and tried to turn it into a business but I knew nothing about marketing or how to even brand my new business. I knew what I wanted but needed the right mindset and understand the ins and outs of running a business. That's when I turned to 'I've Got Your 6' and explained to Cristina what I and my business was all about.


    Cristina was great, helping me with a positive mindset as well as branding, promotion, web design, and even the logo. IGY6 really came through when I needed them the most and after two years, 'I Can Fix That' (my business) is thriving and making new clients along the way. I am much better mentally and finding a new purpose after serving for 31 in the Army has been a life changer.


    When IGY6 asked me if I was interested in being their Chair, I jumped at the chance because I knew what it was like to have very little self-worth and how to be in a negative space. Talking with other veterans and people living with disabilities about how IGY6 helped me get to where I am today. I am very thankful to the IGY6 and very proud to say what they do works.

    • Your Journey to Empowerment Starts Here

    • Empowering veterans and individuals with NDIS participants through support and community.

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      Lyn George – Board Member

      I am happily married to a Vietnam Veteran for 51 years. We proudly have two children and four grandchildren. I completed Year 12 in my 30’s to obtain a Bachelor of Nursing Degree at University and became a Registered Nurse. I nursed for nearly 30 years before retiring in 2018.


      Currently Level 2 Accredited Wellbeing Advocate for Military Brotherhood Military Motorcycle Club (MBMMC) Vic West Sub-branch. I also dabble in needlework selling crafts locally. While all this is good for my soul I was still yearning for something for me, ‘some self-nurturing’.


      Cristina CEO and Amanda, my Life Coach both from IGY6 helped me nurture self-compassion and gave me a sense of meaning and purpose in life.


      With IGY6 my purpose is to liaise with others, take action and walk beside them instead of pointing them into the direction of help.

      I am now proudly a Board Member and Liaison Officer for IGY6 Foundation.

      Dave Hill - Board Member

      I am a veteran of 2 tours to Afghanistan and now I am a Board Director for IGY6.


      After I left the army in 2017, I became a police officer in Victoria but had to leave due to my injuries sustained whilst deployed overseas. During this time, I struggled with addictions, depression and a heavy lack of motivation for life.
      At the same time, I lost quite a few friends to suicide and decided it was best for myself to go into a phase of repair in my life.


      I tried everything from group therapy, kinesiology, EMDR and even some holistic therapies. Whilst they all played their part, I was still missing something…I was still looking for my new purpose in life.


      Eventually I was made aware of I’ve Got Your 6 Foundation and the Life Skills Management program, and it was just what I needed. In the first few weeks I struggled to talk or even turn my camera on but was encouraged to turn up to the Zoom meetings, even if I was not feeling my best. Slowly I started to do what I needed to do to have control of my life.


      I found direction, purpose and a new drive for life that even now, 18 months later, my life has never been better. I am working in something I never thought I would be able to, happily engaged, soon to get married and we have a wonderful baby daughter.


      I am endlessly grateful to IGY6 and I would highly recommend this to anyone who’s looking a purpose in life after Defence.

        Cliff 'Chief' Gowers

        My name is Cliff Gowers, though most know me by my nickname “Chief”—a nod to my passion for riding my Indian motorcycle. I enlisted into the Australian Army on 10 March 1976 and was allocated to the Ordnance Corps, serving as a Chief Clerk in numerous units and postings across Australia. After two decades of Regular Army service, I transferred to the Army Reserves in 1996, changing Corps to Infantry and eventually retiring in 2018 as the Executive Officer of the 8/7 Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment.

        Alongside my Reserve service, I embarked on a civilian career with the Australian Public Service, working as a Defence Project Manager from 2008 until my retirement in 2020. This role gave me the opportunity to better understand and collaborate with my civilian counterparts, while also serving as an Indigenous Support Officer—a position I greatly valued as it deepened my appreciation for equity, diversity, and inclusivity in every aspect of life.

        Following a rewarding 44-year military career, I joined the Military Brotherhood Military Motorcycle Club Victoria West (MBMMC Vic West) in 2018. Apart from my very first meeting, I have proudly served as Secretary ever since. The Sub-branch has been a powerful source of camaraderie, stability, and mental health support for me, and I find great joy in riding, attending meetings, and connecting with members. Beyond my role as Secretary, I am dedicated to supporting the President and Executive team, while always being available to help members in times of need. My long service as a Chief Clerk instilled in me a deep respect for confidentiality—a trait that has earned the trust of members and ensures that people feel secure, respected, and supported. While I never claim to be an expert on every issue, I pride myself on being resourceful, with access to extensive support, social, and technical networks.

        In addition to my Sub-branch role, I was honoured to be appointed Chairman of the Development Committee for the Ballarat Veterans Assistance Centre (BVAC). After securing a $3 million grant from the Australian Government, I have been overseeing the redevelopment of a new facility designed to better serve veterans across the Ballarat region.

        From my early days as a Private in 1976 to my promotion to Major in 2005, I have never truly known a life outside of Defence. The lessons, friendships, and values I gained continue to shape who I am today. I am married to my wife Wendy, and together we are blessed with six adult children and twelve grandchildren. At home in Creswick, just north of Ballarat, I enjoy spending spare time machining, milling, and building projects ranging from steam engines to the occasional cannon.

        I am now proud to bring this lifetime of experience and commitment to the IGY6 Foundation Board. I am passionate about helping the organisation reach and support as many veterans as possible, guiding them to rediscover purpose and build fulfilling lives after service.

        Bruna Norrish

        At 17, I enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in Melbourne, Victoria. I arrived at Victoria Barracks Melbourne accompanied by my sister and a very emotional Italian mother who struggled to understand why her youngest daughter would choose a military career. For me, however, it was one of the best decisions of my life.

        I proudly served for 17 years, during which I experienced some of the most challenging and rewarding moments of my life. My service included postings across Australia, including Sydney, Wagga Wagga, Brisbane, and Townsville. Throughout my career, I had the privilege of serving alongside extraordinary people whose strength, resilience, and mateship left a lasting impression—bonds that remain strong to this day.

        My first operational deployment was to East Timor in 1999 as part of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET), a multinational, Australian-led peacekeeping mission. Despite the demanding conditions, the experience was profoundly rewarding.

        In 2001, I participated in Exercise Long Look, a six‑month exchange program with the British Army, where I was posted to Headquarters Land Command in Salisbury, United Kingdom.

        I returned to East Timor in 2003 with the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), following the country’s independence in 2002—an important moment in regional history and one I am proud to have supported.

        Today, I continue to serve the Defence community as an Australian Public Servant with the Department of Defence, based at Victoria Barracks Melbourne, where my journey first began in 1988. Victoria Barracks holds significant national history, having housed Australia’s Defence headquarters and War Cabinet during World War II.

        Since transitioning to civilian service, I have been fortunate to undertake diverse roles, including an overseas posting to Cherbourg, France—an experience that further deepened my appreciation for international defence relationships and service.

        Outside of work, I actively volunteer with veteran organisations, including Disaster Relief Australia, Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) supporting communities impacted by natural disasters. I am a member of the Keilor East RSL KE RSL and I am also a proud member of Women Veterans Network Australia Women Veterans Network Australia (WVNA) and look forward to marching on ANZAC Day alongside my fellow female veterans.

        At 17, I enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in Melbourne, a decision that would shape my life and values. I proudly served for 17 years, with postings across Australia including Sydney, Wagga Wagga, Brisbane, and Townsville, and formed lifelong bonds through service and mateship.

        My operational service included deployments to East Timor in 1999 with the Australian‑led International Force East Timor (INTERFET), and again in 2003 with the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) following the country’s independence. In 2001, I also completed a six‑month exchange with the British Army as part of Exercise Long Look, posted to Headquarters Land Command in Salisbury, UK.

        Today, I continue to serve as an Australian Public Servant with the Department of Defence at Victoria Barracks Melbourne. Outside of work, I volunteer with veteran organisations including Disaster Relief Australia and am a proud member of Women Veterans Network Australia.