Heather Deighan
Chairperson
- Born in Belfast yet lived most of her life in the lee of Benevenagh mountain
- brings to the AIHA experience in Business, Scholarship and Therapeutic Practice. before migration as a business migrant in 1990.
- A lifelong passion is her interest in oral history and how a person experiences, their unique spirituality of person in place, space and time.
- She is known for her approachability, warmth, hospitality and love of conversation and storytelling.
Tony Bray
Secretary
- Born in Trim, Co Meath, Ireland Tony came to Australia with wife Cecilia in 1979. They have 3 sons.
- He has been involved in Perth Irish community organisations since 1981
- Honorary life member of The Irish Club and The Irish Theatre Players
- Recipient of the Brendan Award with Cecilia.
Patricia Bratton
Treasurer
- A native of Armagh, educated Sacred Heart Convent.
- Emigrated to Australia with Denis and daughters, Deirdre and Ailsa.
- Served several years in a voluntary capacity as Treasurer of Swimming WA, Tuart Hill Swimming Club, Amelia Heights Scout Group and currently The Claddagh Association Inc and Australian Irish Heritage Association WA Inc
- A Life Member of Swimming WA and Tuart Hill Swimming Club.
- Australian Sports Medal in 2000, Commemorating Australian Sporting Achievement.
Denis Bratton
Immediate Past Chairperson
- Born Armagh City, educated Christian Brothers Grammar School
- GAA Harps member and player – represent the County and Province
- Ordinance Survey UK
- Emigrated to Australia with Patricia and 2 daughters
- Photogrammetrist – Aerial Mapping Surveyor
- Graduated Bed and embarked on a teaching career
- Inaugural Committee of GAA in WA – Treasurer and Secretary and Player
- Joined AIHA in 1996 as Treasurer and later as President for 11 years
- Life member Tuart Hill Swimming Club
- Co-recipient of Brendan Award with my wife Patricia
- Life Member of Australian Irish Heritage Association WA Inc
Gayle Lannon
Committee Member
- Born in Dublin, came to Perth in 1971 with my late husband. I have three adult children and five grandchildren.
- Worked in Childcare and the Union Movement until retirement in 2016.
- Always been interested in social justice and believe in contributing to society where I can.
- Have been involved at the committee level in various organisations from The Lions and Women’s Learning Centres to currently being a member of the local Repair Cafe.
Peter Conole
Committee Member
- Born in Fremantle, WA – with County Clare ancestry dating back to the early 1700s.
- Former transport and bank clerk; graduate of the University of WA; tutor at the University of Queensland; public servant in WA.
- A historian for pleasure rather than profit: has written books and many articles for journals published in Australia, Britain and Europe.
Teresa O’Brien
Committee Member
- Born in Perth, Western Australia to Irish parents from the border region of Monaghan and Tyrone
- Worked as Principal Lecturer and teacher in the WA vocational education sector for over 30 years
- Farmer from the central wheatbelt
- Editor of The Journal, the AIHA’s quarterly journal
- A first-generation Irish Australian born in Sydney, NSW, with heritage from Ardfert in Co. Kerry.
- A professional mining engineer, educated at the Western Australian School of Mines, Kalgoorlie, and at James Cook University of North Queensland. For over forty years, has been involved with metalliferous mining operations and development projects throughout Australia and internationally. Most recently, these mines and projects have been in Zambia, Panama, Argentina and Peru.
- Retains a lifelong interest in history and Irish traditional music. Commenced playing the bagpipes at the age of eight in the Irish National Association Pipe Band in Sydney. In 2022, was the founder of the WA Irish Pipers in Perth. Also a convert to and novice on the uilleann pipes.