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Our Team

About Us

Claddagh Volunteer Committee 2024-2025

As well as managing the strategic direction of Claddagh, the volunteer committee shares all the case-work, delivering hands-on support to clients and their families, both in WA and overseas. All this work is done on a volunteer basis, with members bringing a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and strengths. Click on the photo of each committee member to learn more. 

Chairperson

Heather McKeegan
Secretary

Mariea Crabbe
Treasurer

Patricia Bratton
Committee Member

Darren King
Committee Member

Niamh Bratton-Palmer
Committee Member

Gerry McWilliams
Chairperson

Heather McKeegan

Hailing from Co. Antrim, Heather has been in Australia since 2007 and works in remuneration and benefits for a WA-owned mining company. Heather joined the Claddagh Association Committee in 2015, having previously served on the committee of the Irish Support Agency NSW (formerly known as The Irish Australian Welfare Bureau & Resource Centre NSW Inc). She was Vice Chairperson and Secretary of Claddagh before taking on the position of Chairperson in mid-2017.

Secretary

Mariea Crabbe

Treasurer

Patricia Bratton

Patricia has a background in accounting and administration and has served as Treasurer of the Claddagh Association since 2017. She has also volunteered in The Australian Irish Heritage Association WA, Tuart Hill Swimming Club and Amelia Heights Scouts Group, and previously served as Treasurer of Swimming WA. Patricia’s in-depth knowledge of volunteering and treasurer duties allows for the smooth running of the day-to-day operations of the Claddagh Association and the Seniors’ group, in which she is heavily involved.

Committee Member

Darren King

Darren is a chartered accountant who has held the position of Secretary with the Claddagh Association since 2018. He works closely with the Treasurer on Claddagh’s financial management, and sits on the Revenue Committee. You will also find him assisting at Claddagh’s various events.

Committee Member

Niamh Bratton-Palmer

Born in London to Irish and Welsh parents. After traveling between England, Ireland, and Perth, Niamh permanently settled in Perth in 1998. She currently works as an Environmental Approvals and Compliance Advisor for a mining company. Niamh joined the Claddagh committee in 2024, after having been a member and volunteer for several years.

Committee Member

Gerry McWilliams

Volunteers

Claddagh’s work would not be possible without the volunteers who help us carry out our events, social support, visa advice, special projects, fundraisers and administration. There are too many people to mention individually so here we feature an outstanding volunteer each month.
 

Claddagh Volunteer

Joe Carroll
Claddagh Volunteer

Joe Carroll

Joe has volunteered for Claddagh for many years, including serving on the Claddagh committee. He explains how he got involved:  “Claddagh helped me years ago when my brother died over in Queensland. At the time I was out of work, I had a bad back and I couldn’t work. But I got over to Queensland before he died and they helped me with the airfare to come back to Perth. At the time it was $500 and they paid the whole fare for me to come back. I always remembered that and I thought, “When I retire, I want to repay their kindness”.

Joe is currently a vital member of the Claddagh Seniors Subcommittee, supporting monthly events for our Seniors group. He says “I love the people, they’re brilliant. Just to see them being happy and smiling. I think I get more out of it than they do. But I love doing it, I genuinely look forward to it”.

 

If you’d like to volunteer with Claddagh visit our Volunteer section here.