Gondwana Board

In 1989 Tessa Boyd-Caine joined a small children’s choir under the musical direction of Lyn Williams. Months later, that choir became Sydney Children’s Choir, where Tessa was one of its founding choristers.

Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine is the CEO of Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety Limited, or ANROWS. Prior to joining ANROWS in 2024, Tessa was the founding CEO of Health Justice Australia, the national centre for health justice partnership. A criminologist by training, Tessa has previously worked in the areas of human rights, mental health law and criminal justice, both domestically and internationally. She has a PhD from the London School of Economics and her book on the decision-making about mentally disordered offenders was published by Routledge in 2010.

In 2013 Tessa was awarded the inaugural Fulbright Professional Scholarship in Non-Profit Leadership, which took her to work with non-profit and philanthropic organisations in the US. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a keen interest in good governance of, and public trust and confidence in, charities and non-profits.

Tessa has lived in Beijing, London, New Delhi and New York.

These days her singing is reserved for road trips and Gondwana alumni events.

Kate Clark is General Manager, Community Impact at Reconciliation Australia and is known for her commitment to strengths based social change. She brings more than two decades of experience working in higher education, government, arts and culture, and Indigenous health. Previous roles include Director Communications and Strategic Partnerships at Creative Australia and Director External Relations at UNSW Arts and Social Sciences. Prior to her current role she spent five years in Central Australia leading external engagement and launching a social enterprise hub for award-winning Indigenous health service, Purple House.

Kate holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Western Ontario (Canada) and a Master of Development Studies from UNSW.

Kate’s interest in Gondwana Choirs began with a family member in the Sydney Children’s Choir and has grown through her experiences as an audience member in Sydney and a striking performance by the Marliya Choir with Spinifex Gum at the Desert Song Festival in Central Australia.

Alison Deitz is the Chief Executive Partner of Norton Rose Fulbright Australia, a global law firm with over 50 offices throughout the UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa, North America and Asia-Pacific, a position she has held since 2020.  Alison has had a long and distinguished legal career as a regulatory and compliance lawyer, servicing the Banking and Financial Services sectors for over 30 years. She is the co-author of the Anti-Money Laundering Handbook and is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Alison’s interest in Gondwana Choirs arose through her daughter, who is an ex-chorister. Having witnessed the musical development opportunities provided to her daughter from her early childhood to early adulthood and the joy and fulfilment that she obtained from her membership of Gondwana Choirs, Alison is proud to be able to assist the organisation to continue to provide these opportunities and experiences to the next generation of choristers by deploying the professional skills and experience Alison has gained throughout her legal career.

Hugh is the Founder & CEO of Switchboard, a software company that integrates supply chains across Australia and the region. Prior to founding Switchboard, Hugh worked as the Head of Operations and then Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Sydney-based tech start up, Ofload. Before that, Hugh held senior roles at Uber, and was a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group. Hugh brings commercial experience and expertise (along with his long-held passion for Gondwana) to the Board.

Hugh’s interest in Gondwana began as an SCC chorister in the 90’s and continued through many of the SCC and Gondwana choirs over the years. He is passionate about the positive impact that music and organisations like Gondwana can have on young Australians.

Tom is an Investment Banking Associate with Ad Astra Corporate Advisory, a Sydney-based boutique providing M&A and Capital Markets advisory services. Prior to Ad Astra, Tom worked across Corporate & Acquisition Finance with Investec Australia, and Advisory and Assurance with EY in Sydney.

Tom was introduced to Gondwana Choirs by his school music teacher in Newcastle, joining Voices in 2006 as part of the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony performances and later Chorale as he progressed through high school. Tom is a strong believer in the beneficial experiences organisation like Gondwana provide – noting without Gondwana he likely would never have pursued music after finishing school.

Tom has a Bachelor of Music / Bachelor of Advanced Science (Hons) from the University of New South Wales, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant (CAANZ).

C’Zarke Maza LL.M is a proud descendant of the Meriam people of Mer (Murray Island) in the Torres Strait Islands and the Yidinjdji people from the coastal region of Cairns. As an innovative thought leader and passionate change-maker, C’Zarke is dedicated to driving meaningful success and transformative outcomes in all his endeavours.

In July 2021, he was appointed by the Queensland Government as the inaugural Commissioner for Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa, leading historic efforts to achieve legal recognition of Torres Strait Islander traditional child-rearing practices. This pioneering role has involved implementing Australia’s first legislation of its kind and establishing the Office of the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa), ensuring the delivery of effective and efficient programs.

With over two decades of experience, C’Zarke was admitted as a solicitor and barrister in 2002 and has since built a distinguished career in law, governance, and management. His extensive expertise, coupled with a strong ability to collaborate with government and stakeholders, reflects his lifelong commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of vulnerable members of the community.

Mathisha was a chorister in the Sydney Children’s Choir and Gondwana Voices from 1998 until the choir’s performance at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and describes his time with the choir as life-changing.

Mathisha completed Associate and Licentiate Diplomas in cello performance followed by a Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He was a cellist with the Australian Youth Orchestra and worked professionally with symphony orchestras in Australia and overseas.

He later graduated from the University of Sydney with a Juris Doctor and Master of Laws and is now a Partner at Colin Biggers & Paisley Lawyers where his practice focuses on child safety, insurance and litigation. Mathisha is admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW and High Court of Australia.

Mathisha is a passionate advocate for the arts and diversity having provided pro bono assistance and volunteered on a number of boards and committees for many organisations including The Song Company, Law Society of NSW and Arts Law Centre of Australia.

Mathisha joined the board of Gondwana Choirs in 2022 with the hope that he can help to facilitate opportunities and a love of music for a new generation of children.

Alan Watt is a consultant who assists cultural organisations with strategic planning, fundraising and stakeholder management. Based in the UK from 2011 – 2022, Alan was Chief Executive of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields from 2016 – 2021, and prior to this role his clients included the Budapest Festival Orchestra and City Music Foundation (UK). He has held senior fundraising roles at Sydney Dance Company, the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

He has first-hand experience working with small charities and helping them to successfully grow, increase their fundraising revenue and develop change plans. He has also mentored creative entrepreneurs in the early stages of their careers.

Alan has a BA and BMus from the University of Melbourne and an MA in Cultural & Creative Industries from King’s College London. He was previously a casual member of the Opera Australia chorus.