Our people.
Pittwater Board of Directors
Pittwater is guided by a dedicated leadership team and Board focused on Mona Vale and the wider Northern Beaches community. Meet the people who help shape your local RSL Club and support its community programs, events and staff and careers.
Our Board of Directors are elected (on a two-year rotation) annually by the general membership. Their role is to ensure adherence to the Club’s primary objectives and to monitor the Club's financial performance via monthly Board meetings.
They are also responsible for strategic planning and setting of policies and they work closely with the Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors receive no remuneration for holding these positions and we are thankful for the significant time and energy they put into serving our club.
LEIGH ARNOLD
PRESIDENT
A member of the Board for 7 years and Sub-Branch member for 13 years. Served in the Australian Army for 5 years. Employed locally in a family business. Formerly a principal in a major Consulting Engineering firm. Member of Pittwater Bowling Club.
JULIE EMERSON
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Order of Australia recipient.
Eight years on the Pittwater RSL Board, Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate and previous Pittwater Councillor for 22 years. I demonstrate strength, strong governance and strategic thinking. I am a member of the Sub-Branch, and will continue to acknowledge, grow and respect those values.
DARREN CRABB
JUNIOR VICE PRESIDENT
A highly accomplished aviation professional with global flying and leadership experience, including 18 years as an F/A-18 Fighter Pilot in both the RCAF & RAAF. Since 1999, has served as a Worldwide Corporate Pilot with LFG Aviation.
Vice President at the Pittwater RSL Sub-Branch from 2015 to 2019. Elected as an RSL Director 2020–2024 (Senior VP 2022-2024). Committed to supporting the veteran community with integrity and a strong work ethic.
PHIL ASHWORTH
DIRECTOR
Experienced leader with diverse experience spanning community service, sports administration and emergency response.
President and Life member of Northern Beaches Touch Association. Vice President of Manly Warringah Touch.
Past President Pittwater RSL Bowling Club. Firefighter, fire rescue NSW for 34 years.
Dedicated Club member for 22 years.
NORM CALTHORPE
DIRECTOR
Runs own business. Member for 18 years. Chairperson of the Grants and Risk and Audit committees.
Past treasurer of Clubs NSW Northern Metro Region. Active community contributor in sports and scouting.
ROBERTA CONROY
DIRECTOR
Awarded Order of Australia Medal 2024, Pittwater Woman of the Year and Australia Day NB Council Outstanding Community Service 2020 recognising extensive passionate community involvement, successes, and achievements. I bring strategic thinking, business acumen and strong Governance to work for the RSL community. Affiliate member Sub-Branch, 28 years Pittwater RSL.
MARK NIELSEN
DIRECTOR
Retired builder who is now residing in Mona Vale. Married with two children and a member of Pittwater Pelicans Bowling Club. Have served on the Board of Directors for 3 years and I hope my contribution to the board has made a difference. I enjoy all the club's facilities.
Executive Office
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
JASON MANNING
Jason Manning has proudly led Pittwater as CEO for the past 10 years, bringing over 36 years of experience in the Hospitality and Clubs sector. Under his leadership, Pittwater has reached its highest level of community engagement and support, reinforcing its role as a Club that truly exists for the community.
Jason’s vision has always been to integrate and support all aspects of the local community, and in the past three years especially, he has championed initiatives that have deepened Pittwater’s impact. His strategic direction has strengthened the Club’s position, ensuring it thrives both as a business and as a vital community hub.
An accredited member of the Australian Institute of Directors, Jason also contributes his expertise as a Board Member and Chairman of the Coraggio Advisory Board. As he celebrates nine years with Pittwater in 2025, his dedication to community-first leadership continues to drive the Club forward.
