The Australia office is led by Daniela Gavshon, Australia Director, who is focused on Australian advocacy and media work. Our Australia Researcher is Annabel Hennessy. On the development and outreach side, Kate Rosenberg and Lisa Cole are our Associate Directors, and Tamanna Abdi is our Senior Associate. Gillian McGregor is our Operations Manager.

Human Rights Watch in Australia is supported by like-minded organisations and individuals who support us to expose tyranny, empower victims, and to tell their stories to the world.

If you want to get involved contact: ausoffice@hrw.org

The Australia Foundation in Support of Human Rights Watch Board

Penny Gerstle Director – 05/2018
Marusya Lazo Director - 11/2023 
Laura Thomas Director – 10/2011 
Daniela Gavshon Secretary 
Global board members can be found here.

Australian Committees

Human Rights Watch is represented in Australia with committees in Sydney and Melbourne. The Australian committees raise awareness of local and global human rights issues in Australia, generate support, and mobilise the public and policy makers to recognise basic freedoms for all.

Sydney Committee
Penny Gerstle Chair
Michael Allison, CFA 
Sally Breen 
Georgie Bright 
Thomas Calma 
Jane Clifford 
Monique Corah 
Elizabeth Dibbs 
Lyndell Droga 
Craig Foster AM
Kathleen Gilbert 
Penny Hanan
Amanda Laing 
Angus McDonald 
Daniela McMurdo 
Francoise Michel
Professor Cav. Simon Mordant AO 
Brendan O’Flynn 
Marc Polese 
Sheena Polese 
Stephen Roberts
Lenore Robertson AM
Joseph Skrzynski AO 
Ann Sloan
Sam Stewart 
Laura Thomas 
Michael Williams 
Prue Williams

Melbourne Committee
Wendy Brooks Chair 
Joanna Beecher 
Olivia Brown 
Daisy Burley
Ian Hamm 
Dalit Kaplan 
Dianne Lucas 
Fiona Nixon 
Adriana Pesavento
Chloe Quigley
Anna Wade 
 

Honorary Committee 
Andrew Kaldor AM 
Julian Knights AO 
James McMurdo 
Morna Seres 
Malcolm Spry 
Maria Farmer

Dinner Committee

A network of supporters who attend our events, help promote the work of Human Rights Watch, and assist with organising and promoting our annual Voices for Justice Dinners.

Sydney
Marc Polese Co-Chair
Sheena Polese Co-Chair
Jane Clifford 
Annie Crawford
Monique Corah 
Lyndell Droga 
Penny Gerstle 
Kathleen Gilbert 
Penny Hanan 
Francoise Michel 
Stephen Roberts 
Michael Williams

Melbourne
Joanna Beecher
Daisy Lynch
Adriana Pesavento
Chloe Quigley
Daisy Slade 
Bianca Wachtel
 

Outreach Committee

The Outreach Committee is a group of socially minded young professionals from diverse backgrounds and sectors, who work to promote Human Rights Watch.

Sydney
Tempe McMinn Chair
Sherine Al Shallah 
Louis Austin 
Madeleine Battle
Mat Blake 
Hannah Burnett 
Amanda Cebrian 
Charlotte Evans 
Macushla Flanagan 
Nick Jordan 
Lisa Lewis 
James Prindiville 
Brittany Tyne 
Lei Wang