Governance & Leadership
The Navy Clearance Diver Trust is governed by a board of trustees with experience across Defence, law, finance and governance. We publish audited annual reports and are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
The Trust administers two registered charitable structures: the NCDT Relief Fund and the NCDT Transition and Resilience Fund.
How the Trust is governed
The NCDT operates under a clear governance framework designed to protect the community it serves and maintain the confidence of donors, sponsors and regulators. Both charitable structures are registered with the ACNC and subject to annual independent audit.
What keeps us accountable
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Registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
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Recognised by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
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Annual independent audit conducted by Moore Australia (pro bono)
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Legal oversight provided by Allens (pro bono)
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Annual reports published and available to the public
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No government funding received. The Trust operates entirely through donations, sponsorships and community support
ABN – NCDT Relief Fund: 22 993 178 951
ABN – NCDT Transition and Resilience Fund: 11 636 620 638
Our Leadership
The Trust is governed by a board of trustees with experience across Defence, law, finance and governance.
Chair
Mrs Denise Goldsworthy
Secretary
Leigh McBean
Treasurer
Colin Cameron
Ambassador
MajGen Fergus McLachlan AO FRSN (Ret’d)
Ambassador
Jennifer Parker
Trustees
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The Commander RAN Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Task Group
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National President of the RAN Clearance Divers Association
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Mr Gerard Woods, BA LLB
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Mr Luke Tavener GradCertProjMgmt, MBA, MPM, MAICD, MAIPM, FGIA
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Mr Steve Arney FIEAust, CPEng, EngExec, NER, APEC Engineer, IntPE(Aus), GAICD
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Mr Jonathan Farrell Dip. Tech (Stats), BASc (Maths), MBA, DBA, FAIM, FAICD, MAIPM, CPPD, MAISA
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Commodore Brenton Smyth, RAN, BAppSc (BTech), MBA
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Mr Daniel Kenny
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Ms Christine Farraway, GAICD, GradDip PH, GradDipMgt, BAppSc
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Wing Commander Daniel Mendoza-Jones BCom LLB LLM (UNSW) ALM (Harv)
CD Community Development Liaison
The CD Community Development Liaison is the trusted, confidential point of contact between Clearance Divers, their families, and the Trust. This role sits separately from the trustees by design, to protect the privacy of every person who reaches out. The Liaison helps beneficiaries navigate support, ensures requests reach the right place, and remains the consistent human face of NCDT for the community.
Contact: cdliaison@ncdt.org.au
Our commitment to transparency
The Trust board meets regularly to review operations, approve support applications and oversee both funds. Decisions affecting beneficiaries are made collectively by the trustees. The CD Community Development Liaison operates separately from the board to protect the confidentiality of Clearance Divers and families seeking support.
Governance structure at a glance
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Board of trustees governs both funds
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Independent legal advice from Allens
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Independent audit from Moore Australia
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CD Liaison role separated from board for beneficiary confidentiality
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Support decisions made by the full board, not by individual trustees
Proudly supported by our sponsors. ACNC registered charity. Recognised by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. No government funding received.
- FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions donors and sponsors ask most often.
Is the Navy Clearance Diver Trust a registered charity?
Yes. Both charitable structures operated by the NCDT are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). NCDT Relief Fund ABN: 22 993 178 951. NCDT Transition and Resilience Fund ABN: 11 636 620 638.
Does NCDT receive government funding?
No. The Trust receives no government funding. It operates entirely through donations, corporate sponsorships and community fundraising. This independence allows the Trust to make decisions based entirely on the needs of the community it serves.
Are the Trust's financials independently audited?
Yes. Annual accounts are independently audited by Moore Australia on a pro bono basis. Reports are published and available on the Media and Reports page.
What is the difference between the NCDT Relief Fund and the NCDT Transition and Resilience Fund?
he NCDT Relief Fund provides immediate financial assistance to Clearance Divers and their families facing hardship. The NCDT Transition and Resilience Fund supports prevention programs, including professional coaching, education scholarships and the 2026 mentoring program. Donors may direct their gift to either fund.
Who oversees how donations are used?
The full board of trustees reviews and approves all material decisions, including support grants. Legal governance is provided pro bono by Allens. The Trust’s annual report sets out how funds were used during the reporting period.
What is the role of the CD Community Development Liaison?
The CD Liaison acts as a confidential first point of contact for Clearance Divers and families seeking support. The Liaison operates independently of the board to protect beneficiary privacy. You can reach the Liaison at cdliaison@ncdt.org.au.
How can I make a donation?
Donations can be made online via the Donate page. You can choose to support the NCDT Relief Fund or the NCDT Transition and Resilience Fund. Offline donations are also accepted: contact secretary@ncdt.org.au for details.
