Australian Renewables Academy
The Australian Renewables Academy (ARA) was established by a group of regional businesses and stakeholders with the philosophy that collaboration drives innovation.
ARA believes the renewable energy sector across Australia can strengthen local and regional communities and the economy through local jobs, embedding skills and creating new opportunities for work.
ARA has established key principles that will guide our activities as regions around Australia transition to renewable energy:
ARA is driven by and responds to the needs of industry>
Partnerships between industry, education and skills providers, governments and our communities are central to success.
Renewable energy projects will be inclusive of all members of our regional communities.
ARA will provide a system of connection, navigation and delivery in renewable energy skills, pathways and local workforce development.
Our Founder - Bernadette O’Connor
Our Founder, Bernadette O’Connor
Vale Bernadette (d. 6 July 2025)
Bernadette O’Connor, founder of Management Governance Australia, CEO of Workforce Plus Inc, Chair of the Australian Renewables Academy and Executive Chair of DEC Housing, passed away in July 2025. We continue to honour her life, leadership and legacy.
For more than 40 years, Bernadette dedicated herself to strengthening communities across Australia — championing employment, education, disability inclusion, governance, accessible housing and renewable‑energy workforce development. Bernadette was known for her strategic insight, progressive values and her rare ability to turn policy into good practice.
Bernadette’s influence lives on in the organisations she built and the people and communities she championed. While we continue to feel her loss, the leadership and governance of the MGA Group and its related entities remain stable and committed to carrying her work forward with the integrity, expertise and enthusiasm Bernadette brought to everything she did.
Continuing Bernadette's Legacy
This collection brings together Bernadette’s writings and reflections, offering practical insights and enduring guidance for Boards, CEOs, senior managers and community leaders. Her words continue to inspire our work and shape the systems and communities she cared for deeply.
Leadership Team
Josh Baker
CEO
Josh brings over a decade of leadership experience across the hospitality, youth development, social services, and education sectors. As a former practitioner for family violence services and project manager, Josh’ skills bring a diverse and energetic approach to the MGA group.
Josh holds an Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management; Advanced Diploma of Human Resource Management; Advanced Diploma of Business; Diploma of Vocational Education and Training; Diploma of Hospitality Management, Diploma of Community Services and formal qualifications in Radio Broadcast, Event Management and has completed his Teaching Practicum.
Josh has worked with some of the largest organisations in the social and youth sectors including The Salvation Army, The Orange Door, Scouts Australia and Youth Affairs Council Victoria.
David Moody
Head of Strategic Relationships
David brings over 30 years of leadership experience across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors.
He is a former CEO and Victorian State Manager of National Disability Services, and previously led the Victorian Government’s central agency team that helped shape the NDIS. David has deep expertise in disability policy and the challenges faced by people with disability, their families and supporters.
Starting his career as a lawyer, David has held senior executive roles in the Victorian Public Service, where he led national health and safety reform, strategic WHS policy and legislation, regulatory frameworks, and departmental budget and corporate planning. A registered lobbyist, David is also a Director of Workforce Plus Inc. and provides strategic, business, and governance advisory services to a range of organisations and companies.
Anthony Clucas
Strategy Consultant
PeakBalance is an innovative Coaching practice that specializes in Executive Coaching & Leadership Facilitation throughout Asia, with a special focus on Japan.PeakBalance assists business, expatriates & internationally minded individuals to adjust to and create new environments. We maximize our professional network to assemble a team of excellent Coaches, Strategist, Trainers & Consultants within the Asia Pacific region.PeakBalance was established in Sydney, Australia by Principal Strategist & Expatriate Coach, Anthony Clucas in 2003. Anthony identified the need for a combination of corporate coaching, leadership development & communication skills to be easily accessible for both organizations & individuals.