Striving to create empowering and safe spaces where every girl can flourish.
Our Board
Meet our board, led by Dr Brenda Hamlett as our Chair. The Girl Guides Western Australia Board is a vibrant group of individuals, each bringing their unique backgrounds and skills to guide our organisation towards new heights of excellence, growth and success. Together, they embody our values of empowerment, community and leadership.
Board Chair - Dr Brenda Hamlett
Brenda grew up in the UK and qualified as a high school mathematics and physics teacher. Two years teaching in Sierra Leone with Voluntary Service Overseas was followed by two years back home working at her old high school before the travel bug bit and she moved to WA and settled in the south west.
Having been involved with guiding since the age of seven, Brenda was soon recruited to lead 2nd Bunbury Guides and over the years has held positions as a Unit Leader, District and Region Manager, State and National Trainer and State Commissioner. As a member of the Asia Pacific Training Pool, she conducted trainings in Korea, Papua New Guinea and even the Maldives. She attended the Philippines World Conference of WAGGGS as the rapporteur and travelled to Ulan Bataar as part of the team assessing the Girl Scouts of Mongolia application to become an Associate Member of WAGGGS.
After taking time off to raise her children, Brenda returned to high school teaching for some years and then switched to post-secondary education at TAFE and University. She retired after over 20 years teaching Primary Education at Edith Cowan University where she earned her doctorate in Mathematics Education.
Treasurer - Ryan Carter
Ryan enjoys all outdoor related activities and loves to go fishing and camping. He brings with him over 7 years of experience from working at a big four accounting firm helping individuals and businesses to manage their finances and tax affairs. Ryan also has some experience working with other not-for profit organisations.
Community Director - Valentina Kogon
Valentina believes that when girls and young women are given space to be heard and to belong, the ripple effects reach far beyond the individual – they strengthen entire communities and shape future generations.
With over 15 years of experience in policy development and program evaluation, Valentina brings a knack for advocacy, problem-solving and connecting people, ideas and systems. Her work balances big-picture thinking with practical delivery – whether it is advocating for long-term investment, shaping regulatory reform or making a case for smarter community outcomes.
At Western Power, she leads investment projects that support the energy transition, navigating complex regulatory, commercial and stakeholder environments. Her previous roles span the Department of Treasury and Finance, PwC, Synergy and AEMO with experience across energy, education, infrastructure and public services.
Valentina is drawn to Girl Guides WA’s flexible, inclusive approach – recognising that every girl’s journey is different and equally valid. As a mother of two daughters, she is passionate about helping girls grow into confident leaders who feel supported in carving out their own path.
She holds a Master of Science in Energy Economics from Curtin University and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Western Australia.
Elected Guiding Member - Catherine McKinnon
Catherine McKinnon joined Girl Guides in 1988 and has been an active member ever since. Amongst other things Catherine is a Queen’s Guide, has been involved with Guiding at a state and national level, and has had many years experience as a unit leader.
Holding degrees in legal studies, history and law, Catherine has worked in the public sector for over twenty years including roles in policy, professional regulation, and management.
In her spare time Catherine is an avid reader, aspiring author, and obsessed grandmother. She’s thrilled her granddaughter loves Guides as much as she does.
Elected Guiding Member - Julie Rougier-Lagane
Julie brings over 20 years of experience in digital, strategy, and program leadership across banking, tech, and public sector organisations. As a dynamic leader with a background in human-centred design and digital transformation, she is passionate about delivering purposeful innovation that puts people first.
Outside of work, Julie is a dedicated Girl Guide Unit Leader and active contributor to the Girl Guides WA community. She is deeply committed to empowering and inspiring the next generation of girls, helping them build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills through fun, adventure, and inclusive experiences.
Julie believes in the power of youth-led leadership and is passionate about creating spaces where young women can thrive and realise their full potential.
Elected Guiding Member - Julie Brooks
Julie is a dedicated Girl Guide leader with many years of hands-on experience in Guiding. She brings a thoughtful, community-focused perspective to the board, ensuring that strategic decisions stay grounded in the needs and voices of members. Julie is known for her “can do” attitude, always approaching challenges with positivity and determination.
She has a strong interest in governance, developed through her various community roles, where she has contributed to shaping strategy, strengthening organisational processes, and supporting transparent, collaborative decision-making.
Elected Guiding Member, 18-29yrs - Alexandra O'Brien
Alexandra (Lexie) has been a Guide since she was six and is now a Unit Leader and Olave. Lexie joined the board to bring her perspective as a Guide and new Leader to the governance and leadership of Girl Guides WA. Joining the GGWA board is the first time she has held a directorship, and she is excited to continue developing her governance skills in this role.
Outside WA, Lexie has been a member of the Girl Guides Australian Young Women’s Forum, was part of the WAGGGS Asia Pacific Region Young Women in Governance Network in 2024 and was an observer at the WAGGGS Extraordinary General Meeting in 2024 as part of the Australian delegation.
Girl Guides provided Lexie with an environment to build confidence and challenge herself. She is passionate about creating opportunities for girls and young women to develop their confidence as leaders, and creating supportive spaces to help Guides achieve their goals and reach their potential.
Lexie is currently working towards her PhD in sensory neurophysiology at the University of Western Australia, having graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) in 2024. During her time as a tertiary student, Lexie has held various executive positions on club committees, and taken on roles as an executive volunteer and volunteer team manager with the not-for-profit organisation Teach Learn Grow.
Olave Representative - Lucy Jakob-Boyle
State Commissioner - Dr Sharon O'Brien
Sharon brings an impressive 37+ years of Girl Guiding experience. Sharon has organised a multitude of events, including state and international camps, environmental projects, and leadership development programs. Her background as an Assistant State Commissioner further underscores her familiarity with the role’s requirements. Sharon’s vision includes a keen awareness of the challenges families face, promoting growth, and exploring innovative ideas to support our members such as alternative program delivery and flexibility.
Assistant State Commissioner - Erin Farley
With extensive Guiding experience since she was 7 years old, Erin possesses a wealth of communication skills and excels in leadership. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Wildlife Biology, her profound love for the outdoors is seen in her active contributions to the water team and hiking activities. Erin provides support to Units in the Joondalup region.
Executive Officer - Ghylène Palmer
As Executive Officer, Ghylène brings a wealth of leadership experience from the community sector and local government and academic libraries to Girl Guides Western Australia. As a seasoned Board Director, she currently serves on the Linkwest Board, the peak body for Neighbourhood Centres and Community Resource Centres across WA. Additionally, she chairs the Joondalup Lotteries House Management Committee. Having served on the GGWA Board for two years and the GGA Board for one year, Ghylène is deeply invested in the mission and vision of the organisation.
Known for her transformational leadership style, Ghylène inspires and motivates those around her to achieve their full potential. She is dedicated to fostering an environment of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement. Ghylène is responsible for delivering the overall strategic direction of the organisation and ensuring that all areas align with each other and with the organisation’s goals and values. She works closely with the State Commissioner to engage with external stakeholders, and the community to build relationships and secure support for the organisation.
Ghylène’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, French, Italian and Japanese, a Graduate Diploma in Information Science and a Master of Business Administration. These qualifications, combined with her extensive experience, equip her with a diverse skill set that she passionately applies to her role at Girl Guides Western Australia.
Our Policies
Our policies at Girl Guides WA are crafted with care to uphold ethics, inclusivity, and seamless operations. They’re the foundation of our dedication to ensuring a safe, welcoming space for all, focusing on protection and celebrating diversity. For our members, detailed access to our constitution, By-Laws, and policies is conveniently available through the Member Portal, with more Guiding policies accessible on the Girl Guides Australia website.
Our Patrons
The Girl Guides Western Australia patrons are His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM Governor of Western Australia, and Mrs Darrilyn Dawson.
Our Strategic Plan!
