National Council
The National Council of Australian Red Cross Society.
Special Councillor vacancies
Under the Rules, Anne Macarthur AM, Rose Rhodes PSM ESM and Win Smith AM will retire as Special Councillors at the conclusion of the 2026 National Council National Council Annual General Meeting, and are eligible for re-election.
Nominations for up to three Special Councillor roles are now open, and will close at 7pm AEST on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.
Nominations can be submitted to the Society Secretary as outlined at jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-AU/ausredcross/SEEKVOLUNTEERSITE/jobs/29200. Any nomination must include the Nomination Form and Nominee Statement accessible here.
Special Councillors are eminent Members of Australian Red Cross who have made a significant contribution to Australian Red Cross. They are elected to provide input and undertake special functions from time to time. Special Councillors are members of the National Council, which is the peak representative body for Members of Australian Red Cross whose role is to act in the interests of Australian Red Cross Society.
Any Member of Australian Red Cross who meets the requirements of a Special Councillor in Rule 11.3 [Eligibility to be a National Councillor] and Governance Regulation 4.3 [Special Councillor nominations] are encouraged to apply.
Should you have any questions regarding these vacancies, please contact the Governance Team by email to AGM@redcross.org.au or on 03 9345 1841.
The role of the National Council is to act in the interests of Australian Red Cross Society as a peak representative body for Members of Australian Red Cross.
President
Kate Jenkins AO
Kate Jenkins was elected President (and Chair of the National Council) from 1 July 2025.
Kate is a trusted leader and change maker.
For 30 years she has been leading individual and systemic change in corporate, government and community sectors. In executive, board and leadership roles, Kate has a proven track record of navigating complex, sensitive environments to deliver lasting reform. Kate is Australia’s foremost authority on respect and equality in the workplace, in parliament and in the community.
Kate’s diverse career roles include Australian Sports Commission Chair, Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner; Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner; Employment Law Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills; Chair of Creative Workplaces Council; Chair of Play by the Rules; Board member of Berry Street Victoria, Carlton Football Club and Heide Museum of Modern Art.
Kate has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to human rights governance, to advancing gender equity, to the promotion of inclusivity, and to the law.
Special Councillors
Charles Burkitt, Anne Macarthur AM, Ross Pinney, Rose Rhodes, Valmae Ryan, and Win Smith AM.
Division Council representatives
Generally, the Division Council Chair, Division Council Deputy Chair and Youth Member of each of Australian Red Cross’ eight Division Councils.
This page was updated on 31 August 2026.
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