We want your feedback
We greatly appreciate the feedback that community members share about their experiences, where they think Better Place Australia could improve and where they think we have done a great job.
Ethics and Governance
The Centre for Better Relationships was born out of Better Place Australia’s values of compassion, optimism, professionalism and empowerment.
Integrity
We conduct our research with integrity and professionalism and base our professional obligations in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines, to maintain accountability with participants and the communities we work in.
Justice
All people have the right to live safe and fulfilling lives and we aim to help improve the lives of Australians through our work. Through our experience, the best means to achieve this collective goal is through fair distribution of resources and service accessibility.
Ethics
We conduct high quality, needs-driven research to support the work of Better Place Australia, to improve client outcomes and contribute to best practice principles within and across the sector.
Approach to ethics
Research proposals are reviewed by the Research and Advocacy Committee (RAC) who subsequently assesses all research for merit, feasibility and appropriate ethical conduct. This includes adherence to the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for ethical research. For research conducted among vulnerable populations, or for research where we are uncertain regarding ethics, we always turn to the Human Research Ethics Committees for advice or approval via application.
Research and Policy
The Centre’s research and policy activities are conducted under the supervision of the Research and Advocacy Committee and the Board of Directors. CBR’s research focuses on organisational priority areas as determined by the Board of Directors. The Research and Advocacy Committee is chaired by the CEO of Better Place Australia and membership is made up of senior leadership representatives.
Current steering group membership
Serge Sardo – Chair
Chief Executive Officer
Serge Sardo is the CEO of Better Place Australia. He has accumulated over 10 years’ experience as a CEO and non-executive director for not-for-profit or government organisations. In his previous role as CEO of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Serge was instrumental in establishing the Foundation as a world leader in the delivery of counselling, support and prevention programs to over 100 different locations. Serge has an MBA qualification and strong commercial experience. With expertise in preventative programs, social policy and advocacy, he has delivered and managed a wide variety of community-based therapeutic and prevention services. He is a former Board member for Scope Disability Services, and the Family and Relationship Services Association having Chaired their Finance, Risk and Governance Committee for six years. Serge is currently a member of the Board for Alcohol and Drug Foundation and the Board Chair of Tenants Victoria.
Graeme Westaway
Executive Manager Marketing &Sector Engagement, Advocacy, Digital & Corporate Communications
Graeme Westaway has over 20 years’ experience in brand, communications strategy and concept development. His educational background in Science and Marketing has been used across brand strategy, services development and web interaction planning. He has developed consumer goods, not-for-profit services, insurances and preventative health programs. Graeme’s not-for-profit services background covers child welfare, aged care services, government-funded services and medical research. He is a board member of Family & Relationship Services Australia (FRSA) and also serves as a member of the FRSA Finance, Risk and Governance Committee and a member of the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group. He has a passion for raising ageism awareness, elder abuse prevention and respecting the right of all people to self-determination.
Dr. Sarah Marko
Researcher
Dr Sarah Marko has a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and Health Promotion and a PhD from Deakin University. Sarah has a background in qualitative public health research with a focus on people’s perspectives and experiences of gambling-related harm. Sarah is particularly interested in understanding the factors beyond individual control that influence people’s health and well-being. Sarah aims to use research to identify areas for change and provide an evidence-base for improving policy and practice.
Dr. Laila Hugrass
Research Officer and Data Analyst
Laila Hugrass has conducted research in the fields of psychology and cognitive neuroscience at La Trobe University, Swinburne University and the Australian Catholic University. Laila holds an adjunct research position at La Trobe University where she is currently studying her Master of Art Therapy. With expertise in data management, applied statistics, quantitative analyses, data visualisation and data storytelling, Laila is very passionate about communicating research findings to non-academic audiences in an engaging and accessible manner.
