Scleroderma Victoria Incorporated began in 1979 to support people with Systemic Sclerosis.
Our mission is to:
- provide support to those living with scleroderma, their families, carers and friends
- promote community awareness of scleroderma
- support research into better treatments for all people with this chronic illness
Scleroderma Victoria is run by a Committee of dedicated volunteers, and you can learn more about them below.
Our Committee
Amanda Lawrie-Jones – President
Amanda Lawrie-Jones has served as President of Scleroderma Victoria since 2015, bringing extensive leadership experience across multiple boards and a strong commitment to disability inclusion. She is the founder of Accessible Action, a consultancy that works with organisations to embed inclusive practices for people with disability across employment, customer experience, and community engagement.
With lived experience of disability, both as a person with scleroderma and an amputee, Amanda is a sought-after trainer and speaker, known for using personal storytelling to build disability confidence and shift mindsets. Amanda is also currently the Chair of the Board for Scleroderma Australia.
Amanda is passionate about inclusive policy, disability inclusion, and procurement reform, and is also a proud finalist in the 2018 National Disability Leadership Awards and was nominated for the 2020 National Aspire Awards.
Outside of her advocacy work, Amanda enjoys travelling (especially to New York), going to the theatre, and has a well-known love of shoes.
You can contact Amanda at president@sclerodermavictoria.com.au
Iain Pizzey – Treasurer
Iain is a Chartered Accountant and joined the Committee in 2007 to fill the vacant position of Treasurer and to assist Scleroderma Victoria with its endeavours. Iain would like to increase fundraising activities and the financial position of the Association to assist with increasing medical research towards finding the cause of Scleroderma and to enable a cure for this condition. Iain is also the current Treasurer for Scleroderma Australia and we think he is a ‘treasure’ and a true gift to Scleroderma Victoria and Scleroderma Australia!
You can contact Iain at treasurer@sclerodermavictoria.com.au
Jennene Caton – Secretary
Jennene joined the committee in 2014 and accepted the role of Secretary in March 2015. She is a former Senior Sergeant in the Victoria Police Force. She took early retirement in March 2014 due to Scleroderma. During her 26 year career she worked at busy suburban police stations, the Crime Department and State Intelligence Division. She has a Masters of Leadership and Management (Policing) from Charles Sturt University. She is spending her retirement raising awareness about Scleroderma. Along with the role of Secretary, she is also our office Administration Assistant.
You can contact Jennene at secretary@sclerodermavictoria.com.au
Louise Inglese – Vice President
Louise could easily be called a serial entrepreneur, with a passion for taking professional challenges head on and looking to create the best outcome for each opportunity that is presented to her. Having started and sold several businesses in her early career, she is currently a Director of a proudly run Australian manufacturing firm. Louise was diagnosed with Scleroderma in 2016 and like in life, her passion to make the best of every opportunity took the challenge head on and looked for ways to improve her situation. She promptly became a member of the Scleroderma Victoria committee as Vice President, as well as being the Support Group Leader for the Mornington Peninsula/Westernport Support Group.
You can contact Louise at vicepresident@sclerodermavictoria.com.au
Belinda McMaster – Committee Member
Belinda joined the committee in November 2014 to support and enable Scleroderma Victoria in our Governance portfolio to ensure that our organisation remains relevant, compliant and up to date as she is a Lawyer with the Australian Government. Belinda has a special interest in helping people with Scleroderma as her mother (Jennene) has been living with the condition for many years. She is currently working towards her Masters of Law through the University of Melbourne. Belinda enjoys travelling to new and interesting places.
You can reach Belinda at governance@sclerodermavictoria.com.au
Janelle Blight – Committee Member
Janelle currently lives in Geelong Victoria, although grew up in the Mallee district near Swan Hill.
Due to the challenges of Scleroderma, Janelle no longer works and has graciously offered to assist Scleroderma Victoria as the new volunteer Support Group Coordinator. Her background comes with experience as the Deputy Environmental Services Manager at Geelong hospital, and she was lucky enough to have some great life adventures in living overseas, including both Scotland and Washington DC. Janelle still loves to travel, when her health permits it, although now she is happy to keep her journeys within Australia.
Janelle is an avid AFL supporter, regularly going to see her mighty Cats (Geelong) play. Her hobbies include taking care of her thriving vegetable garden for healthy eating, and she enjoys mindfulness, which helps to ease chronic pain. Janelle also loves going to the movies and music concerts and has a keen interest in genealogy.
Pre-Covid, Janelle was running the Geelong Support Group and is very keen to get this back up and running again. After completing the SPIN-SSLED course through the Scleroderma Patient Intervention Network (SPIN), she is very keen to provide her knowledge and experience in this area to our support all Support Group Leaders.
Janelle has been a NDIS participant for some years and is willing to offer support and guidance where she can. Feel free to reach out to Janelle at supportgroups@sclerodermavictoria.com.au.
Bronwyn Robinson – Committee Member
Bronwyn Robinson is a passionate fundraiser and community advocate who channels her lived experience with scleroderma into powerful action. By day, she runs Buds n Roses Florist in Melbourne, but her true impact shines through her tireless efforts to raise awareness and funds for scleroderma research and support. As a member of the Scleroderma Victoria Committee and leader of the Inner Southeastern Suburbs Support Group, Bronwyn has spearheaded fundraisers and campaigns, raising over $15,000 through creative events including high teas, dinners, flower drives, and more. Her dedication, creativity, and community spirit make her a driving force for change, and a source of hope for many.
You can reach out to Bronwyn at fundraising@sclerodermavictoria.com.au
Mandy McKirdy – Committee Member
Based in Melbourne, Mandy is an experienced IT Project Manager who shares her home with her beloved Golden Retriever, Georgie, and proudly supports the Collingwood Football Club.
Mandy’s connection to scleroderma began through her late husband’s diagnosis, which sparked her passion for advocacy after experiencing firsthand the challenges of accessing information and support. Now a committed member of the Scleroderma Victoria Committee, Mandy uses her professional skills to raise awareness and funds for research, aiming to improve outcomes for those living with scleroderma and their families.
You can contact Mandy at sunflowerheroes@sclerodermavictoria.com.au
Alana McKirdy – Committee Member
Alana joined our committee in 2023 to assist us in raising the Victorian community’s awareness of scleroderma. Having witnessed her father battle with scleroderma for 10 years, Alana understands the journey that the loved ones with scleroderma go through. She has completed her law degree and has a passion for personal injury law. Alana aspires to use her life experience and legal expertise to assist everyday Australians with accessing compensation where they have developed conditions, like scleroderma, silicosis, and asbestosis, that are linked to their past and current occupations.
You can contact Alana at socialmedia@sclerodermavictoria.com.au