At the recent Actors Benevolent Fund AGM actor Valerie Bader was elected to the Chair. After four difficult years in which former Chair Bruce Spence steered the Fund through the challenges of the pandemic, he has stepped down with the sincere thanks for his service from the Committee and members.
Deputy Chair Glenn Hazeldine welcomed Valerie to the post assuring her that she would comfortably fill the “big shoes” left by her predecessor. He noted that covid was not an easy time and that Bruce had guided the Committee through with skill and dedication.
Bruce thanked the Committee for their support adding “I have always been in awe of our committee. The astuteness, and goodwill from everyone when tough decisions are needed and/or there's work to be done, has moved me immensely. There's something about showbiz folk. The ABF is in bloody good nick because of every one of us.”
Valerie Bader has been a long serving member of ABF with two terms on the Committee from 1993 to 1996 and again from 2017 to the present day. Always in demand as an actor, yet she had never failed to respond to the needs of her colleagues when they apply for ABF assistance.
In recent years, Valerie has been a passionate advocate and mentor for young artists in the early stages of their careers. She has also been a member of Equity since 1972. The Committee was delighted when she agreed to accept the Chair and was subsequently voted in unanimously by the members.
Glenn Hazeldine was returned as deputy Chair with Victoria Wildie as Treasurer, Camilla Rountree Secretary and Contessa Treffone joins Sean Clarke as the two additional executive members. The Committee is also proud to now include Director Craig Ilott as well as returning committee members Vanessa Downing, Jamie Oxenboiuld, Andrew Cutcliffe, Kenneth Moraleda and Bruce Spence has remained on the Committee. 
The AGM was followed by celebratory Christmas drinks with colleagues, friends and members of ABF.