Board Members

Michelle Blicavs is Practice Manager for Accounting Professionals responsible for managing a firm of Chartered Accountants who focus on providing financial and taxation advice and coaching to business clients. Accounting Professionals has a desire to see young people trained in both accounting and business leadership with half their staff currently furthering their education with the University of Wollongong.

In 2008 Michelle completed her Masters of Management with Charles Sturt University excelling in Marketing and Strategy.  This has complemented her 20 years management experience in the business community.

Whilst General Manager for a family owned bus company in Sydney, Michelle began volunteering with youth and young adults through her local church seeking to provide leadership and sense of community.  Michelle moved to Wollongong in 2005 to become the Business Manager for Lighthouse Church and Community Care, gaining new experience in working with the not for profit community sector.

Through Michelle's leadership "my|place" youth housing was re-marketed to the Illawarra and two youth houses were opened for homeless young people. Many of these young people are now living successful independent lives, working and volunteering within their community.  Through her connection with my|place Michelle became aware of Best Catch and became a strong supporter and advocate seeking to promote the value young men bring to our community.

Michelle believes mentoring and strong leadership is critical to raise up young men within our community who will raise strong families and provide strong leadership for the future of our country.  Michelle is married to Martin and they have two children Anna aged 8 and Joel aged 6.

Melissa Abu-Gazaleh has a background in the community welfare sector recently completing a Bachelor of Communications and Media Studies majoring in Marketing and Advertising at the University of Wollongong and a Diploma in Welfare at the TAFE Institute.

In recent times, Melissa was selected in Australia’s Top 100 Brightest Young Minds, spoke at the International Women’s Day National Conference in Perth and will soon speak at the Australian Regional Women Leaders Convention in Melbourne.

Melissa’s passion for profiling and empowering young men was ignited five years ago where she first identified the potential of young males benefiting from receiving positive reinforcement. As a young person herself, Melissa has benefited from participating in community action groups and competitions that develop skills and experience for young women but is dedicated to giving young males the same opportunities for professional and personal development.

Melissa is active within the local community. She currently serves on the Community Relations Commission Regional Advisory Council as a Community Representative, and previously held a position on the TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute Advisory Council as a Student Representative.

Melissa’s efforts in providing a platform for young men has been fostered through her volunteering activities that she is currently engaged in. Melissa dedicates on average 10 hours a fortnight to the Illawarra community and believes that young males who volunteer are invaluable and are worthy of recognition.

John Adams is currently employed in the Australian Public Service working in the area of public sector governance. He is currently studying a Masters of Management Studies (Governance) through the University of  New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy in  Canberra. He is also studying a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance through Chartered Secretaries Australia (CSA).

John has professional memberships with Chartered Secretaries Australia (Affiliate Member) and with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) (Graduate Member). As a member of the AICD, he was awarded a diploma for completing the Company Directors Course and a certificate for completing the Directors Essentials course. John has continued his professional development with the AICD by completing the Chairman and Executive Director courses and publishing an article on governance in the AICD’s Company Directors Journal.

John’s previous tertiary qualifications include a Bachelor of Economics from the University of New South Wales and an Honours Degree in Economics from the University of  Wollongong.

John has a strong commitment to making positive sustainable change throughout society through the building of social capital and believes that the Best Catch concept is an excellent mechanism for creating change amongst young men and society.

Graham Lancaster is a Commercial Lawyer and Director of Access Business Lawyers.  He is the Director in charge of the Dispute Resolution Division of Access Business Lawyers and he was admitted to practise in June 1990.

Graham is also a member of the Apex Club of Corrimal Inc and in his role as an Apexian has served on both State and National Boards for Apex Australia, with his most recent role being that of Constitution and By-laws Advisory Director, interpreting the constitution and rule book of Apex Australia.

Graham has a Diploma of Law through the Solicitors Admissions Board, a Diploma of Practical Legal Training, and a Bachelor of Commerce through the University of Wollongong. 

Graham has also undertaken the Insolvency Education Program of the Insolvency Practitioners Association and is an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation (Insolvency) through the Law Society of NSW. Graham also sits as a Board Member on the Specialist Accreditation Board of the Law Society of NSW.

Graham's interest in developing young males stems from his work with Apex Australia which started out as an all male association and up until recently remained predominantly male.  Although Apex Australia  is now gender neutral, a transition that Graham was proud to be part of, he recognises the need for young men in particular to be supported in times where negative stereotypes abound in the media.

Neil Gonsalvez is a Management Consultant specialising in strategy execution. His passion is for helping organisations grow by improving the experience, services and products organisations give their customers. Neil's expertise is in the government and financial services sectors and he also has experience in the mining and automotive sectors. Neil is currently working in the Sydney office of a large global consulting firm.

Neil also consults to local churches and non-profit organisations on meeting customer needs, sustainable growth strategies and leadership development.

Neil is also heavily involved in speaking to, mentoring, and working with teenagers through youth programs and camps.

Neil believes in honouring God, living lives of significance and not settling for second best. He is committed to helping young men become all they can be and is excited about the role Best Catch can play in this.

Willy Alarcon is a small business owner, running the local business to business firm Citrine Solutions. He has graduated from the University of Wollongong with a bachelors’ degree in Commerce with a major in Marketing.

Willy’s family came to Australia with nothing more than the clothes they were wearing and back packs, giving him the belief that if you can help others – you should. As an Illawarra's Best Catch finalist in 2008, Willy gained an insight into the Best Catch Foundation and held the program in such high regard that, as soon as a position became available on the Board of Directors he jumped at the opportunity.

Willy is a regular blood donor and currently participates in community service events through the Rotary Club of Albion Park. He believes that if everyone could do their little bit for their local community then that would contribute to the larger scale of needs in the world.

Through his community work and his contributions to Best Catch, Willy hopes that he can make a difference in people’s lives by showing them that not matter where they came from or what circumstances, life will provide a way forward if you go for it.