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Our senior Leadership Team

Meet Our senior Leadership Team

Fiona Preston

CEO

Fiona is passionate about people and helping them live, work and play with confidence – and whenever possible, with fun.

Mel Ihalamulla

GM Corporate Services & Finance

Mel is a finance industry professional and brings a wealth of knowledge from a wide range of industries including Banking.

Travis Sauer

GM Operations - Aquatics and Leisure

Travis brings considerable exposure and experience in leadership, operational excellence, stakeholder engagement.

Jake Da Silva

GM Commercial and Community Partnerships

Jake brings a range of experiences from roles with YMCA Victoria, local government.

Jasmine Poore

People and Culture Manager

Jasmine brings extensive experience across the Aquatic, Sport and Recreation, Local Government, and Community sectors, with strong expertise in people leadership, organisational development, and change management.

Melissa Rist

Risk and Compliance Manager
and Company Secretary

Melissa is a qualified Risk, Compliance and Governance Manager who brings knowledge and experience from a range of industries and service-based organisations, including motoring and mobility, insurance, education and leisure.

Fiona Preston

Chief Executive Officer

An experienced executive leader with a background spanning a number of industries and sectors including Sport and Recreation, Utilities, Banking, Public Health and Not for Profit, Fiona is passionate about people and helping them live, work and play with confidence – and whenever possible, with fun.

In her most recent role as General Manager Venues with the State Sport Centres Trust, Fiona has been responsible for overseeing the planning and delivery of operations including safety, emergency and security management, preparation and presentation of four state-owned sporting venues – Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC), Lakeside Stadium, State Netball and Hockey Centre and State Basketball Centre.  Supporting every level of the sport and recreation ecosystem, this has involved hosting everything from beginner team and individual pursuits, to committed community competition and training, schools and sporting associations, through to State, National and International championship events.    

With a focus on providing great experiences, building workforce capability and confidence, delivering high quality venues and facilities and high standards of customer experience, Fiona has led a large, highly diverse team across all facets of venue operations. 

Fiona is a people‑centred leader who brings a strong commitment to operational excellence, stakeholder collaboration, and creating vibrant, accessible spaces that enrich local communities.  She is passionate about innovation and sustainability in leisure services, and champions initiatives that elevate customer experience, strengthen organisational culture, and deliver long‑term outcomes across the community’s facilities.

Mel Ihalamulla

GM Corporate Services & Finance

Mel is a finance industry professional and brings a wealth of knowledge from a wide range of industries including Banking, Not-For-Profit, Manufacturing, Automobile, Advertising and Logistics. Mel is a result oriented individual and highly motivated team player.

Mel is a member of CPA Australia and CIMA UK. She has over 20 years of experience in finance including over 15 years of managerial experience. Mel excels in budgeting, analytics, and continuous improvement.

Mel is passionate about team building, company culture and community wellbeing.

Travis Sauer

GM Operations

Travis brings considerable exposure and experience in leadership, operational excellence, stakeholder engagement and human resource management. Across his 20-year career in the Aquatics and Recreation Industry Travis has held a variety of senior management positions with YMCA Victoria and in the commercial sector with Beach House Fitness.

Prior to joining South East Leisure Travis spent five years leading the Greater Dandenong Leisure Facilities (Dandenong Oasis, Noble Park Aquatic Centre and Springers Leisure Centre). Most recently, Travis has successfully guided and supported numerous facilities through the complexities of Covid-19 business interruptions. He joins the team with a wealth of knowledge on the health and wellbeing needs of the local Greater Dandenong community.

Travis is always seeking opportunities to assist people to be more active and takes great joy from his role as a volunteer junior football coach over the last 4 years.

Jake Da Silva

GM Commercial and Community Partnerships

Jake brings a range of experiences from roles with YMCA Victoria, local government and most notably as part of the startup Leadership Team at Western Leisure Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wyndham City Council.

Jake has been responsible for establishing the commercial viability of three newly redeveloped Leisure Centres (Brunswick Baths, AquaPulse and Eagle Stadium) as well as making significant improvements to the commercial sustainability of established facilities within the local government environment. He has a strong record and passion for providing community focused outcomes and will continue to bring this approach to South East Leisure.

On a personal note, since 2017 Jake has embarked on his own fitness journey and losing a staggering 40kg. Jake continues to find new fitness challenges and is always looking to achieve new fitness goals.

Jasmine Poore

People and Culture Manager

Jasmine brings extensive experience across the Aquatic, Sport and Recreation, Local Government, and Community sectors, with strong expertise in people leadership, organisational development, and change management.

Mel Rist

Risk and Compliance Manager & Company Secretary

Melissa is a qualified Risk, Compliance and Governance Manager who brings knowledge and experience from a range of industries and service-based organisations, including motoring and mobility, insurance, education and leisure.