Our current board members are:
David has worked in PNG for more than 30 years in various agricultural projects. He was a VSO for 6 years and started in 1972 with a three-year term at the Catholic Mission Alexishafen, Madang, before moving to the Yangpela Didiman programme of the Lutheran Church. Then, after working for a number of years in the poultry industry at Madang and Lae, David found himself managing the Mainland Holdings Crocodile Farm where he stayed for 18 years. David is fluent in Pidgin English. David became Chairperson in November 2019.
Margaret is from Rabaul in the East New Britain province of Papua New Guinea where she met her husband Paul Miller in 1988 in Rabaul. They were engaged and married in 1996 in Lae, and the family moved to the United Kingdom on 1st March 2004. Margaret works as a Fleet Account's Assistant at South Essex Partnership University, NHS Foundation Trust, Essex. Margaret has made significant contributions to several different charities, including the PNG Red Cross Society, where she modelled locally and as part of the Miss PNG contest. Moreover, Margaret previously held the position of Treasurer with Soroptimist International in Lae (PNG) and in Southend on Sea & District (UK). Margaret has been treasurer of the Wantok Support Charity since its formation as a charity in December 2011.
Anita grew up in Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea. She trained as a general nurse, midwife and teacher. She moved permanently to the UK in 1992. Anita completed her Masters in Medical Education at the University of Dundee in 1991, and in 2010 completed her second Masters Degree (Public Service Management) at Anglia Ruskin University. Anita is a highly experienced trainer and motivational speaker. She has worked in health and social care institutions in the UK and internationally for over 20 years. Anita runs her own business, Konch Training. Anita is passionate about helping people to develop to their full potential and achieve their dreams and aspirations. Her dream is that those who succeed in life use their experiences and resources to inspire and help others to grow and succeed in life. Anita has recently published a book 'Skilfully Created To Make A Difference'. Anita enjoys growing and selling produce from her allotment to raise funds for different charities.
Susan grew up in Essendon, Victoria, Australia. Susan taught for 12 years in Melbourne schools before heading to Papua New Guinea. Susan spent six years as a PALMS Lay Missionary in Papua New Guinea from 1996 until 2001. Susan's time in Papua New Guinea was spent in the East Sepik Province. Susan spent one year as Manager at a Vocational School in remote Ambunti on the Sepik River, and then five years working in the coastal town of Wewak as the Academic Registrar with Callan Services for Disabled Persons. Susan has been living and working in London since January 2002. Susan is an Assistant Headteacher at a Secondary School in North West London. Susan is fluent in speaking, reading and writing Tok Pisin.
Patrick is from Jiwaka province in Papua New Guinea, where he moved to the United Kingdom in 2001 as a student, studying Theology in Belfast. After his studies in Belfast, he moved to London to work with London City Mission as a missionary and still is. In 2012, through a partnership agreement between London City Mission and the Salvation Army, he moved to work with a Salvation Army Church in south London with his family. Patrick joined the board of trustees in June 2015.
Richard was a volunteer with Voluntary Service Overseas from 1973 to 1975 shortly after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant. He was based in the Diocesan office in Lae. This was before the country's independence when the Anglican Church in Papua New Guinea was part of the Province of Queensland. For a number of years since he has been on the UK Committee of the Papua New Guinea Church Partnership in London.
Melinda was born and is from Goroka in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. She spent her childhood growing up on Bouganville Island moving on to Honiara in the Solomon Islands and then Port Moresby. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce, double Economics Major in Brisbane Australia she worked in Brisbane for Morgan’s Stockbroking and Financial Planning for several years before moving to London. Melinda has worked in the Finance, Events and Education industries and is currently at the Milken Institute in London. She has a genuine interest in sustainability, health and education and finding solutions to make the world more equitable, by connecting people and communities.
Andrew is an experienced educator with over 20 years in secondary mathematics education. His career includes roles in both government and private sectors in Papua New Guinea and the United Kingdom. He has worked as a teacher, a mathematics examination officer in PNG, and has collaborated with various examination boards, schools, and research organizations in the UK. Andrew is particularly interested in education and development in Papua New Guinea. He joins Wantok Charity as a Trustee in 2024.
