The board of Deafness Forum Australia, elected by and representing a national membership of individuals and organisations, sets the direction and policy on key issues.
The board ensures that Deafness Forum is focused on its purpose and strategic objectives and manages its resources efficiently and effectively for the future. The composition of the Board reflects the broad nature of the deafness sector. The directors’ various life experiences and professional expertise, coupled with the Deafness Forum’s activities and consultative processes, ensure the organisation has the authority to respond to key issues common to the entire deafness sector.
THE EXECUTIVE in 2025
Raelene Walker, Chair
Perth, WA
Rae joined the Deafness Forum Australia board in 2018, bringing a wealth of experience as an educator, access and inclusion advocate, and community leader.
Rae, a career educationalist, has worked in diverse settings across Western Australia, including as a Teacher of the Deaf providing bimodal communication support in Auslan and English. Her qualifications include a partially completed Master of Education in Special Education (Deaf), a Bachelor of Education, a Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Development and a Diploma of Auslan.
A committed advocate, Rae has served on the board of Deafness Council WA since 2018 and volunteered with St Patrick’s Community Support Centre. Becoming profoundly Deaf as an adult due to illness, she faced additional challenges of tinnitus and vertigo. Rae embraced bilateral implants while studying Auslan, aligning her personal experiences with Deafness Forum’s mission for equity and inclusion.
As a Director of Deafness Forum Australia, Rae’s unique perspective shapes initiatives to be inclusive and responsive to the needs of the Deaf and hard of hearing community.
Christopher Blackham-Davison, Vice Chair
Darwin, NT
Christopher was nominated by Australian Lions Hearing Dogs and became a director of Deafness Forum Australia in 2024. He was born with hearing loss and is a recipient of bilateral cochlear implants. Fluent in Auslan and supported by his hearing dog, Frodo, he has a Bachelor of Teaching in Special Education from Griffith University and has taught in various NT locations, including remote areas. Currently, he teaches Auslan to primary students in Darwin.
From 2020 to 2023, he chaired the NT Disability Advisory Committee and received the NT Disability Service Award for Excellence in 2017. He has been a judge for the NT Disability Service Awards since 2021 and participated in national forums, contributing to the NT Disability Strategy 2022-2032.
Christopher is committed to advocating for disability rights and improving lives within the hearing-impaired community. He has been involved with Lions International for 20 years, holding various leadership roles. He believes significant advances like increased access to Auslan and real-time captioning have positively changed the Deaf community and is eager to drive further progress. In his leisure, he enjoys travel, four-wheel driving, cooking, and volunteering, actively engaging with diverse communities.
Rhonda Locke, Vice Chair
Coffs Harbour, NSW
Rhonda was first nominated by Better Hearing Australia in 2022.
For more than 20 years, Rhonda worked in senior marketing roles in the public and private sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Certificate of Business. Her career spans various industries, including media, transportation, health, not-for-profit, employment and training, technology, and events. She was the Head of Melbourne for a highly successful marketing agency. Today, she owns and manages a successful business located in regional NSW.
Throughout her career, Rhonda has dedicated time to volunteer causes such as Race Against Dementia, The Great Barrier Reef Foundation, and mentoring students through the Griffith University mentoring program. She was also invited to assist with the rebranding of Whirled Foundation, contributing based on her marketing background and personal health circumstances. In 2022-23, she led a project to rebrand Deafness Forum Australia, depicted by a Dragonfly Logo.
Twenty years ago, she was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, which has significantly affected her life since. She suffers from severe and constant tinnitus and has lost hearing in one ear. She also experiences ‘dizziness’ and has learned to recognise the symptoms before an episode, although it can still occur unexpectedly. Despite these challenges, she has successfully grown her career and managed a household and family. Understanding the impact of this condition on
an individual’s career, family, and everyday life, she aspires to assist those with similar situations and ensure their needs are considered when creating policies and opportunities.
Barry MacKinnon AM, director
Perth, WA
Barry was first nominated by Deafness Council WA and joined the Board in 2022.
He was raised in Bridgetown, a small town in the southwest of the state. He attended Bridgetown High School before going to Perth as a border at Wesley College. He went on to the University of WA, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Economics and a Diploma in Accounting. He then practised as an accountant.
Barry spent six years as leader of the WA Liberal Party and leader of the Opposition between 1986 and 1992.
Barry is the parent of a son who has hearing loss. He has extensive experience in community service, politics, and the corporate and disability sectors. Barry was involved with many organisations in the disability sector, including the Disability Services Commission, Commonwealth Hearing Services Consultative Committee, Telethon Speech and Hearing, Amanda Young Foundation, Mental Health Advisory Council, Hearing Research and Support Foundation, and Deafness Council WA. He was a board member of Telethon Speech and Hearing from 1983 to 1986, during which time he was also chair until he became leader of the state Liberal Party. He was a key figure in the establishment of an organisation called PUSH, the Parents United to Support Hearing Impaired Children.
In 1997, Barry was made a member of the Order of Australia for services to people with hearing impairments. He also received a centenary medal in 2001.
Hannah McPierzie, director
Perth, WA
Hannah was nominated by DeafBlind West Australians in 2024.
Hannah is a community leader advocating for equity and fairness, using her lived experience to speak up for those without a voice. She worked as a teacher of students with disabilities in WA for 15 years until 2024. Currently, she works part-time at SensesWA as a deafblind educator and as a disability consultant and advocate.
Hannah has Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), resulting in profound deafness and impacting her vision and balance. She uses bilateral auditory brainstem implants and various communication strategies. As Chair of Deafblind West Australians, she supports those living with deafblindness. Hannah also contributes to making advanced care planning more accessible and educates audiology and medical students on effective communication with patients.
She advocates for breaking down disability silos, recognizing that many people experience multiple disabilities. Hannah promotes comprehensive approaches in various settings to address diverse needs simultaneously.
Jason Krstanoski, director
Sydney, NSW
Jason brings a deeply personal connection to his role at Deafness Forum Australia. His journey into the world of hearing health began with his daughter’s diagnosis, revealing her inability to hear low tones, including adult male voices like his own. The discovery reshaped their family dynamics and schooling experiences, sparking Jason’s commitment to learning Auslan and engaging with the Deaf community.
Professionally, Jason is an executive in the power industry, currently overseeing safe operations as part of Transgrid’s leadership, managing 350 staff across NSW. His career includes significant roles such as Head of Procurement at Ausgrid. His expertise extends to engaging with various stakeholders in the government and private sectors.
Jason’s active search for a meaningful volunteer role led him to Deafness Forum Australia, where he can align his professional skills with his values and experiences. His family’s involvement with disability and the NDIS, enriches his perspective, enhancing his contributions to the board and the broader disability sector. Jason is passionate about driving positive change and fostering inclusivity through his role at Deafness Forum Australia.
Dwin Tucker AM, director and treasurer
Sydney, NSW
Dwin joined the board of Deafness Forum Australia in 2020, bringing a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set to the organisation. With a history of leadership as CEO in eight different organisations, ranging from large corporations to smaller enterprises, Dwin has demonstrated his expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and technological innovation. His leadership skills extend beyond executive roles, as evidenced by his current position as Vice President of Médecins Sans Frontières Australia, where he contributes to global medical humanitarian efforts.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dwin is deeply committed to supporting education and research in hearing impairment. He funds two annual prizes: one for the best HSC student in NSW with hearing challenges and another for the best tertiary paper in hearing research.
Dwin holds a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Commerce, and a Master of Business and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His educational background and professional training have equipped him with the tools to guide and influence the organisations he serves effectively.
His journey into the deafness community began as the Interim CEO of the Australian Communications Exchange, which managed Australia’s National Relay Service. He later owned Clearasound, a leading installer of hearing loops and school hearing systems.
In recognition of his significant contributions to community health and the technology sector, Dwin was awarded in the General Division of the Order of Australia in The King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List. His achievements exemplify his commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals with hearing challenges through technological advancement and community service.
Steve Williamson, chief executive
Steve’s job is to be the bridge between the board, staff, and members. His role is to advance Deafness Forum Australia’s mission by guiding decisions, inspiring collaboration and innovation, and driving impact and sustainability. He must balance diverse interests, unify the vision, and represent members to external stakeholders.
He represents the Deafness Forum Australia in diverse international and domestic settings:
- General Secretary and a director of the International Federation of Hard of Hearing People
- Member of the World Hearing Forum, part of the World Health Organization (aka WHO)
- Editorial committee member for the WHO publication, “News from the World Hearing Forum”
- World Hearing Day Small Grants Program reviewer for the Coalition for Global Hearing Health Board and Conference Committee
- Australian Government Department of Health & Aged Care Diversity Consultative Committee member
- Among the architects of Australia’s Roadmap for Hearing Health.
Before joining the Deafness Forum in 2012, Steve headed corporate relations and marketing for the peak bodies representing the road freight sector and the engineering profession; and was government liaison for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV Marketing. He was a journalist and presenter for the ABC, and co-winner of a United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Award. Steve has also worked as a supermarket shelf-stacker, a brickwork labourer, cross-country ski instructor, and was a long-serving volunteer for Vinnies.
Get in touch with Steve using this contact form.