Our Board

Pauline Rockman OAM

Co-President

BEd (La Trobe University), GradDip Women’s Studies (Deakin University), BA (Deakin University)

Since 1992 Pauline has had a number of roles at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum including President of the Board of Management. She worked with the USC Shoah Foundation Institute for 17 years as Regional Coordinator for Australia and Regional Consultant and was involved with the Australian March of the Living 2003-2014. Pauline represents Australia at the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) plenary meetings in Europe.
She is the daughter of a survivor of Nazi Germany.

Suzanne Hampel OAM

Co-President

Sue Hampel OAM is a well-known public speaker and lecturer. She holds a Masters degree in Holocaust and Genocide Studies (2010) and serves as Co-President of the MHM. Sue is currently an academic mentor to indigenous students and a teaching associate in the History faculty at Monash University. She has been recognised for her teaching and community service by receiving numerous awards including a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community through the promotion of understanding and tolerance. As the daughter of a survivor, Sue places importance on remembering the past to create a more tolerant future. In 2020, Sue joined the State Government’s Holocaust Education Working Group, to assist with development and implementation of mandatory Holocaust Studies for Years 9 and 10 across Victoria. Sue currently serves as the International Chair of the Education Working Group for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

Michael Debinski

Vice President

BA (Monash University); BSW (Hons) (Monash University)
Fellow, Australian Institute of Company Directors

Michael retired from the Victorian Government as a senior executive overseeing the planning and delivery of health and community services. He is currently a Senior Advisor with Impact Co.

He is a member of several Jewish organisations and was President of Jewish Care Victoria from 2012-2019.

Michael is the son of Holocaust survivors. He was part of the Australian leadership March of the Living group in 2014. Michael believes the Melbourne Holocaust Museum plays a vital role educating the community about the Holocaust and to combat antisemitism, racism, and prejudice.

Mary Slade

Secretary

BA, LLB (University of Melbourne)
Accredited Mediator (Bond University), Retired Barrister and Solicitor and Tribunal Adjudicator. Past Governor at Mount Scopus College, with community organisations and business experience as company director.
On the Board Mary represents the guides and contributes to the governance portfolio.
She is also a member of the MHM Collections Acquisition panel and a volunteer guide at the MHM.

Mary is the daughter of Holocaust survivors.

Her vision is furthering the important mission of the MHM in its commemorative and educational goals into a strong and sustainable future.

Richard Michaels

Honorary Treasurer

BCom /BEc (Monash University), Chartered Accountant (ICAA)

Prior to joining the Board, Richard worked as a guide at Melbourne Holocaust Museum. Professionally, he has worked in the financial services industry for the past 14 years as an investment adviser at Canaccord Genuity, Prior to this, Richard worked as a senior accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Richard is the grandson of a Holocaust survivor. As a member of the third generation, believes in the importance of keeping alive the memories of the Holocaust victims and their heritage.

Helen Mahemoff OAM

Helen is a member of the MHM Executive.
She has been the Chair of the MHM Foundation since its inception in 2003. Helen is also the Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign and she is the main volunteer fundraiser for the MHM.

Helen is the daughter of Holocaust survivors.

Professor George Braitberg AM OStJ

MBBS FACEM FACMT FRACMA MBioethics MHlthServMt Dip Epi Biostats

George is an emergency physician and toxicologist and is Head of the Emergency Medicine Stream for the Centre for Critical Care Medicine at the University of Melbourne and Executive Director of Strategy, Quality and Improvement at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

The son of Holocaust survivors, he has had a long association with the MHM as a guide and is a member of the Lodz committee. He has been on March of the Living, the second time as an educator, when he accompanied his mother, a survivor guide. George is committed to keeping the memory of the Holocaust relevant to subsequent generations.

Elly Brooks

BAppSci (Medical Radiations), Airline Transport Pilot Licence, CASA accredited examiner, DipArt (Photography)

Elly has been involved with the MHM for many years in a number of capacities including as former President of Friends of MHM, honorary secretary and as an Executive Director. She has represented the MHM at the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) meetings and at multicultural events.

In addition to training pilots as chief pilot and chief flying instructor, Elly worked in Hong Kong where she established a real estate company.
Elly is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. She says “I know we must tell and re-tell the Holocaust stories to honour our survivors and make a better future.”

Abram Goldberg OAM

Abram Goldberg is a Holocaust survivor from Lodz. After having lost 15 members of his family to the Holocaust, Abram and his wife decided to emigrate to Australia in 1951 in search of a better life.

Abram’s story of survival and resilience is truly inspiring; he has dedicated his life to keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive and teaching its lessons. Abram was part of the founding group of the MHM in 1984 when it first opened its doors to the public, eventually going on to becoming a Board member in 1989, he is also on the Executive.

Abram has also been active in the work of The Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library ‘Kadimah’ and Sholem Aleichem College. He has enriched the lives of thousands of students with his positive messages.

Melanie Raleigh

BSc (University of Melbourne), Cert. III and IV Fitness.

Mel is on the board representing the 3rd generation. She currently organizes an annual initiative with Maccabi Australia, designed to assist sports players throughout the country across multiple generations to remember the Holocaust on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day).

Mel is a granddaughter of Holocaust survivor and longtime volunteer guide Tuvia Lipson and is on a committee organizing the annual commemoration of the liquidation of the Lodz ghetto.

Having three young children Mel is passionate about Holocaust remembrance and education. She will continue to ensure her grandfather’s legacy is passed down to future generations.

Simon Szwarc

BCom (University of Melbourne); BIS (University of Melbourne)

Simon is one of Australia’s leading evangelists on Innovative Change, having delivered Keynotes, Lectures, Workshops and Collaboration Programs to leadership teams including at board levels. Simon has over 20 years experience working in advisory and consulting roles to Australia’s largest organisations, specifically around new and leading-edge technologies, and has co-founded three different business centred around innovation and disruptive technologies.

Simon’s grandparents were survivors of the Holocaust, resulting in a need to educate that has been ingrained in Simon. He has been actively involved in the MHM for over 13 years.