Veterans SA Team Members
The Veterans SA team is composed of individuals with extensive experience and a shared dedication to supporting the local veteran community.
Bianca Wheeler, GAICD – Director
Bianca Wheeler is a Royal Australian Navy veteran and an accomplished executive with extensive experience in strategy, strategic communications, crisis management, corporate and community relations, and organisational transformation. Joining Veterans SA in July 2024, she brings a wealth of knowledge from her diverse roles across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
Bianca leads the Veterans SA portfolio, within State Government agency Defence SA, leveraging her previous role as the Chief Operating Officer and Company Secretary at the Australian Logistics Council, where she was responsible for strategic direction, governance frameworks, and operational delivery.
Prior to this, she held significant leadership positions at Austrade, including Chief of Staff and Strategy, Communications & Engagement Lead, and Head of Export Supply Chain Service. In these roles, she successfully navigated complex international trade challenges and led high-performing teams to achieve strategic outcomes.
Bianca’s career also includes notable roles across a number of government departments in South Australia & the Northern Territory. Additionally, Bianca has a strong background in intelligence and security, having served as an Electronic Warfare Linguist (Indonesian) and Intelligence & Security Manager (Comms & Signals) with the Royal Australian Navy.
Bianca is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Graduate Certificate in Organisational Resilience, an Advanced Diploma in Indonesian, and diplomas in Electronic Warfare and Telecommunications Intelligence. Her commitment to excellence has been recognised with several awards, including a Chief of Defence Force Commendation and the Student of Merit at the Australian Signals Directorate.
Bianca’s leadership and strategic vision will be instrumental in advancing the Veterans Affairs portfolio, supporting veterans and their families through delivery of innovative programs and initiatives.
Bec van Reesema – Strategy and Engagement Manager
Joining the Veterans SA team in 2018, Bec has extensive experience and knowledge of the South Australian veteran community.
As Strategy and Engagement Manager, Bec manages the development of key programs and initiatives at Veterans SA. She is responsible for leading activities including annual strategic reviews, community consultation efforts and program delivery to improve the value and effectiveness of Veterans SA’s presence and initiatives within the South Australian community.
Bec’s extensive experience in veteran matters and government operations is complemented by her background in the private sector. Her professional experience spans stakeholder engagement, strategy design and delivery, communications, marketing and business operations.
Bec supports the team to continuously seek innovative solutions that support veterans, ensuring they find purpose and support in their lives post-service.
Eric Parnis – Veterans and Families Policy Officer
Joining Veterans SA in 2021, Eric has an extensive career in research, policy and analyst roles across the public and university sectors and industry.
Combining his analytical, research and consultation skills together with many years of policy and writing experience, Eric continues to excel in his chosen career path.
As the Veterans and Families Policy Officer at Veterans SA, Eric contributes to policies and programs that improve economic development and social inclusion for the veteran community in South Australia.
Eric is also an accomplished presenter, providing expert opinion and research in industry publications.
Amanda Tarrant – Project Officer
After more than 17 years of clinical social work practice, Amanda joined Veterans SA in 2021.
In her role as a Project Officer at Veterans SA, Amanda strongly advocates on matters relating to veterans, families and children, drawing on her professional expertise and lived experience of military life as the partner of an Australian Defence Force member and Royal Australian Navy Reserve officer.
Amanda is passionate about ensuring the voices, perspectives and experiences of military families are captured within programs, projects and research.
She is a current PhD student with the Open Door Initiative at Flinders University and is pursuing research in the area of family violence within military families.
Barbara von der Borch – Grants and Administration Officer
Barbara is an accomplished project and administration professional with a diverse background spanning the university, corporate, local government and private practice sectors.
Throughout her career, Barbara has been recognised for her meticulous approach to process improvement and her commitment to delivering exceptional results.
She excels in designing and implementing streamlined procedures that optimise workflow and enhance organisational efficiency.
Barbara joined Veterans SA in June 2024 and is passionate about leveraging her skills to support the mission of Veterans SA, upholding the highest standards of service delivery to the community.
