national board 2023 - 2024

Ben Curnow, National President

I have been a member of the Beaufort Apex Club in Victoria since the beginning of 2016. Since my induction I have been President twice and Treasurer 3 times. I also served 1 term as the Regional Communicator for Region 9, which I loved. I have served a term as the Communications Director and the National Treasurer.

It is a privilege to be the National President of Apex Australia and I have a high ambition to grow the association in the areas of membership, governance and global impact. Apexian's do a fantastic job in their community, and I hope to continually raise the profile of Apex across the world.

I live in a little town named Amphitheatre, quiet from the noise of the outside world. I have a beautiful wife, Elisha and a cutie of a daughter, Charlotte.

In my professional life I’ve spent 15 years in Primary Education and have strong expertise in educational leadership. I now run my own Gardening and Home Services Business and volunteer with the local CFA. I am also a member of the Avoca Men's Shed. Apex has benefited me immensely and I encourage all Apexians to explore Apex beyond the great things they do at club level. This Association has so much to offer and the more you give the greater the returns will be.

Emma Jackson, National Secretary

I am an active member of the Apex Club of Geraldton, enjoying the hands-on support we provide our local community. I have held the executive positions of secretary and president within my club, been the Regional Coordinator for zone 14 and I am currently the Chair of the WA Civilian Widows Trust, managed through the Apex Foundation. I thoroughly enjoyed being part of National Board last year, and I am excited to continue on the role of secretary and be part of such an awesome team.

This year has been a big change for me as I have taken a year off my career as a senior spatial analyst to become a full-time mum for my beautiful daughter Malia whilst organising the National Convention.

Professionally I have worked across the not-for-profit, government and private sectors in a wide range of roles which has seen me manage volunteers and researchers, implement new systems to manage data and increase organisational efficiency, attract thousands of dollars in grant funding, facilitate workshops and deliver training. I look forward to putting these skills to work in my current role on the Apex National Board.

Tara Spotswood, National Treasurer

I joined Apex in 2014 after a difficult period, as well as losing my Event Planning Business due to the Bundaberg 2013 floods. One of my employees had a father who was a life member and lived and breathed Apex. I agreed to attend a meeting, after many invitations, and as they say “the rest is history”. Apex has encouraged me step out of my comfort zone and pushed me to pursue many more ventures both professionally and personally.

One thing that I have learnt over the past years is that Apex is ‘hands on’ and we need to stay in touch with all of our clubs and fellow Apexians. We are all in this together and are here to help each other become the best we can be. I have been fortunate to travel and visit many Clubs and with the help of my predecessor and mentor Adam Stewart, I aim to keep up the wonderful tradition of road tripping and interclub visits.

When I am not doing Apex, I am a Chief Operations Officer for a Hotel and mum to two fantastic teenagers. Life is crazy but I would not change any of it. My children have many stories that I hear them telling their friends or teachers that involve Apex in one way or another.

GAVIN MINGAY, NATIONAL OFFICE MANAGER

I have been a member of the Apex Club of Toowoomba for almost nine years. During those years I have fulfilled almost all roles on the Board of our club, including Service Director, Secretary, Treasurer and President, plus a few other minor roles.

For almost two years, I was the Regional Communicator for Region 3 and I have recently become the Regional Communicator for Region 4. These roles have been challenging due to limited resources, distance and communication difficulties, but I feel progress is being achieved. My aim is to see more inter-club assistance and interaction, as there are many smaller clubs around Australia that need assistance. It would be wonderful to see the stronger clubs stepping up to assist the smaller clubs, as I believe this would contribute to the growth of Apex.

I earn my living as a pharmacist by day and am a massive sports enthusiast. Through both of these, I am able to contribute to my community in many ways, but I would relish the chance to contribute to the building of Apex Australia into an even more amazing organisation. I am very grateful for all that Apex has given me over the years and I would love to assist others in gaining the same benefits.

April Lancaster-Smith, Regional Communicator Coordinator

My journey in Apex began in 2009 when I joined the Apex Club of South Toowoomba. Over the years, I have contributed significantly to the growth and success of the organisation and my local club. I have held all club executive roles, President, Secretary and Treasurer, along with the Dinner Notice Editor, Service Director and Social Director. With over a decade of service to the organisation, my commitment and passion for community engagement shines through in my various club executive roles and regional responsibilities.

My ability to connect with fellow Apexians has been an integral asset in my most recent role of Regional Communicator for Region 3 in the 2022/2023 year. During my time in this role, I was helping to promote effective communication and collaboration among clubs and be the liaison between clubs and National Board. I am also currently the Chair of the Apex Australia Teenage Fashion & Arts Youth Festival (AATFA) and hope to bring this event back to life for the 2024 year.

One of the defining moments and highlights of my Apex career was my participation in the overseas work party in May 2023 in the Philippines. This really helped broaden my horizons and reinforced my dedication to community service on a global scale.

Beyond my Apex commitments, I am the Marketing Manager at Toowoomba’s largest locally owned automotive dealership where I get to put into practice my creative skill set and add my own flair and creativity to our marketing strategy.

When I’m not at work or Apex, you’ll find me on the cricket pitch, either indoor or outdoor, and being an advocate for women’s participation in cricket.

I am also a member of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Future Leaders Group where I aim to assist all members to continue to pave a way for the future success and growth of the Toowoomba Region. Along with my advocacy for women’s participation in sport and business, I strive to empower women and would like to emulate the footsteps of great female leaders in the Toowoomba Region.

I am extremely excited and motivated to join the National Board for the 2023/2024 year and hope my role as the Regional Communicator Coordinator gives me a chance to give back as much as what Apex has given me throughout the years. I hope that my passion for community service drives positive change within the organisation and beyond.

Simon Grant, International Relations Manager

I joined apex in 2011 after a discussion with a friend about the good things that I could see being done in the community. For me, Apex has been a fantastic way to get involved in my local community at Beaufort. Apex has opened up so many doors for me personally through the already formed relationships and networks that previously existed due to the good work of Apexians past and present. Just by being an Apexian you are signalling that you are prepared to give back to the community and that you are up for a challenge and people respect that. I have I particularly enjoyed meeting people from all over Australia and one of the great things that we can experience is attending a National Convention. Next year in Bundaberg will be my 6th National Convention and I'm looking forward to seeing old and new friends alike. Now, after my first year on National board I am really excited about the future of Apex and the direction that we are heading as an organisation and I encourage all Apexians to consider a role as a regional coordinator or national board director.

Greg Youngberry, BURSARY MANAGER

My engagement with the Apex Club of Toowoomba began in 2018, marking the commencement of an exciting journey filled with service, leadership, and learning. As I transitioned through various roles within the club, including those of President, Treasurer, and key technology positions, I have embraced and embodied the core ideals of Apex in each capacity.

Currently, I serve on the board as the National Bursary Manager, leading an essential program that aligns profoundly with Apex's guiding principles - "To develop by example a more intelligent and aggressive citizenship" and "To promote international understanding and friendship". This program is fundamentally about extending assistance to students in less privileged circumstances globally. Our primary focus at the moment is on the Philippines, a country brimming with potential and resilience.

Parallel to my role with Apex, I work with my family in growing certified organic agricultural products and food, including organic chicken, stock feed, beef cattle, and grain crops. This venture allows me to support and contribute to ethical and sustainable farming practices.

In addition to the above, I run a business in the Philippines that provides outsourcing services to small-scale Australian companies. We uphold a strong commitment to our staff's welfare, providing fair wages, conducive work conditions, and additional benefits such as comprehensive healthcare. This operational footprint in the Philippines reinforces my understanding of the local environment, thereby enhancing my capacity to effectively oversee the bursary program in the region.

Through these various roles, I continue to navigate diverse contexts, build robust relationships, and enact programs that create real and lasting change. I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead and remain deeply dedicated to leveraging my skills and experiences in furthering Apex's mission.

Tyson Campbell, National Membership & Culture

I have known about Apex as far back as I can remember attending school fetes, community events with the Jumping Castle, Clowns and Merry-Go-Round and behind the bar the local Show. The men in the mustard yellow shirts seemed to always have a lot of fun doing whatever it was they did and loved to give the cheek I gave to them as a child back to me in bucket loads. I had no idea what the members did behind the scenes I saw in my childhood, but once being asked as a 21-year-old to come along to an Apex Meeting I soon learned there was more to just wearing a mustard shirt becoming an Apexian. Coming into the Apex club I was invited on the Trip to nowhere, the bus load of Apexians in 2009 trying to get to a state convention in flooded Mt Isa, this was my first taste to Apex interclub travel and now it is safe to say I am hooked. I have been so fortunate to meet so many Apexians in my region through interclub visits and also across Australia since attending every National Convention since Beaufort in 2016.

I am still amazed I am on National Board something I always thought was top shelf in Apex. Apex has taught me a lot about myself, my community and how to apply application to a necessity. I have always enjoyed being able to be a part of a club who can bring a community together smiles on peoples faces and as a result create an end product from the funds raised.

Outside of Apex I am involved in the Roma Show Society in the Poultry section and play drums in the community band since I started playing in 1997. I am very lucky to have two young boys who keep telling me Apex is boring and all we do is talk, but I do believe once they see the benefits for themselves, they will hopefully change their thoughts. My boys and I have a lot of fun Chasing cows riding bikes traveling to Apex interclub events and just generally being three young boys together.

Apex is a great platform for all involved and as a member of national board I hope to be able to help all clubs in Australia introduce more members into this great association. Remember to keep Apex fun otherwise why would we want to do it!

Daniel Lascelles, National Communications

I’ve been a proud member of the Kadina apex club since 2017. During my time I have served in the roles of service, newsletter, treasurer and now I’m the incoming president. During my time at the club I’ve been a part of some great projects. In 2018 with Moose at the helm of the club, we delivered two truckloads of hay and pet food to drought-stricken Gunnedah in NSW. I’ve also had the privilege to participle and more recently become a committee member of the Apex Outback Postie Bike Ride. This ride raises money to fund the Apex Copper Coast Retreats, which offers people a respite break from their cancer journey with family.

Earlier this year I raised funds and participated in the 2023 Over Seas Work Party in the Philippines in partnership with the Apex Club of San Pablo. This was a hugely rewarding experience and I recommend it to anyone.

Apex is a great place for personal development while giving back to the community. I’ve met some amazing people in Apex and if I’ve not met you yet, I look forward to it in the near future!

Luke Corkett, RCC Support & Training Manager

I was invited to Albury Apex in 2015. Shortly after joining I was the only member left in town as the crew was completing service in Cambodia. Upon their arrival home, I heard the stories and saw the positive impact Apex could make in any community.

Some of the highlights I have had in Albury Apex was seeing members have their kids involved with service projects then being inducted after turning 18. I was offered the role of Regional Communicator and it is a role I haven’t been in a hurry to hand over. I enjoy getting on the road and meeting with other clubs across region 6, and seeing the service projects and fundraisers they host. I have applied my management experience to the RC role and I am now involved with the training program for all Regional Communicators so everyone can get a positive outcome from their time as an RC.