About Us

PETER HARRIS – CHAIR
Peter has lived in the Yarra Ranges for 52 years and been involved in various community groups including Chairperson of the Mount Evelyn Township Group for 5 years. 
He has previously worked in the Neighbourhood House sector as a Community Development worker at Glen Park Community Centre in the Maroondah municipality, and as Chairperson of the Community House Association of the Outer Eastern Suburbs for several years.

PHILIP BURTON – TREASURER
Philip is currently Treasurer of the Lilydale & District Historical Society & Treasurer of Lilydale Community Gardens. He is a member of Beautification of Main Street Lilydale which was formed as part of Lilydale Connect.
Philp has been involved in Yarra Ranges Council’s Lilydale Connect and the
Lilydale Structure Plan since the creation of these groups and he was on the Lilydale Stakeholder Liaison Group from November 2019 till November 2021 representing the people of Lilydale.
In his working life, Philip has been responsible in a large corporation for the areas of accounting, HR, and facilities management over 40 years across Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

BENSON BANNON – SECRETARY 
Benson has lived in Lilydale for 12 years, and was on the Lilydale Community House Project Reference Group.
Since 2018 he has actively participated in multiple Lilydale-focused community
forums & reference groups with Yarra Ranges Council.
He is currently President of Lilydale Community Gardens Inc., a member of
Beautify Main Street Lilydale, & also Lilydale Township Action Group.
Retired from the public sector, he has been a CPSU delegate & OH&S officer, been involved in a variety of community groups, men’s groups, movie groups, personal development groups,and has co-ordinated numerous conferences and work-shops in his working & community roles. He is also a disability advocate.

SARAH DUFF
Sarah grew up in Lilydale and has been volunteering at Lilydale Community House for the past three years, assisting with the art and craft programs and Cooking for One classes.
“I love seeing people of all abilities unleashing their creativity.
“It has been a pleasure getting to know the community and to see how people feel a sense of belonging in the safe and welcoming space we have here at Lilydale Community House.”
Sarah is qualified in Certificate IV Community Services, and First Aid and Mental Health First Aid.

MICHELLE McDONALD
Michelle has lived in Lilydale for 23 years and has worked with Yarra Ranges Council for 22 years in the area of disability advocacy. She has been with the Disability Advisory Committee with YRC for 5 years and is a member of the Outer Eastern Community Inclusion Alliance.
Michelle received the Ian De La Rue Community Leadership Australia Day Award in 2009 for her disability advocacy and her work founding Sahara’s Charity.

ANN SLUITER
I was born in England and migrated to Australia with my parents in 1959.
I have run my own business doing dog grooming. I have also volunteered at dog obedience in Croydon. I taught ballroom dancing in Mount Evelyn at Boléro Dance Studio for just on 20 years. I’m now retired and am enjoying learning to paint and making new friends.

Staff at Lilydale Community House
Suyin Chan – Manager
Abbie Peacock – Administration
Sarah Duff – Volunteer
Janice Adams – Volunteer
Lilydale Community Gardens Inc – Volunteers