Board of Directors

Dennis was appointed Chairman to the Holman Barnes Group in April 2025.

Dennis has been a Director of Holman Barnes Group for the past twenty-four years, and a Debenture Holder since 1996.

He is the current Chairman of Western Suburbs Magpies (Western Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club Ltd) and is the Songwriter/Performer of one of Wests Magpies Club Songs, ‘Glory Boys’.

Dennis also sits on the Club’s Judiciary Committee and Heritage Committee.

Dennis is a Professional Musician and Managing Director of Burgess Ventures, which encompasses Regal Records, A Red ‘Letter Day (Event Management), UBERfest Music Festivals, Burgess Bookings and Above All Secretarial.

He is vocalist and bass player in ‘Dead Singer Band, Lost Legends Showcase’ and the vocalist in duo ‘Double D’. Through Denny Burgess Management, he looks after the affairs of various Australian artists.

Other business involvements include Dennis being Chairman of the Australian Songwriters Association (ASA), Patron of the Association of Artists Managers (AAM) and MusicOz, past Director of the Australian Songwriters Official National Group (ASONG), and an active member of both the Association of Independent Record Labels (AIR) and Support Act Limited (SAL).

Born and raised in Wests territory, Dennis was educated at Christian Brothers College, Burwood. He is married to Clare and father to twenty-four-year-old son, Cole.

Dennis is passionate about Holman Barnes Group, and all aspects of Wests, its past, its present and its future. On Australia Day 2024, Dennis was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the Performing Arts and the Music Industry.

Francesco Primerano was appointed as Deputy Chairman to the Holman Barnes Group in April 2025.

Francesco is a qualified accountant and holds a Master’s degree in both International and Business Law. During his career as an entrepreneur, Francesco successfully established three Mitre stores, two real estate agencies, a development company, and a mortgage and finance business.

Later in life, driven by a passion for mining, Francesco ventured into the mining sector in 2008 as CEO of an offshore consortium, which held mining interests in Indonesia, Russia, and South America. After almost 10 years abroad, Francesco retired from mining to establish his current businesses with his son: a mercantile recovery agency known as FTR, and Westella Legal.

Michael Liubinskas is a seasoned professional with a rich background in IT, football and governance, bringing a unique blend of expertise and insights to his role as a dedicated board member.

Michael recently retired from the IT sector as a Major Incident Manager for Endeavour Group, where he oversaw and resolved IT incidents across an Australia-wide network. His proficiency in cybersecurity and network platforms, combined with ongoing studies in artificial intelligence, keeps him at the forefront of technological advancements.

Alongside his wife Vicki, a Pre-Kindergarten teacher at MLC College, Mick is the proud father of two sons, Todd and Kodi. He actively supports Vicki’s initiative, Let’s Get Going, a wellbeing program designed for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Michael’s football qualifications are equally impressive. He has extensive experience in various roles including player, coach and team administrator for Wests Magpies. His comprehensive background in football offers valuable insights into the operational and cultural aspects of both the Wests Magpies and Wests Tigers organisations.

As a board member with experience spanning multiple organisations, Michael has a proven understanding of governance dynamics and the Directors’ Code of Conduct, and has completed training with the Institute of Directors. Known for his independent thinking and principled approach, he advocates for collaboration and innovation, aiming to bring strategic focus and long-term vision to all his board roles.

Stephen (Steve) Montgomery has had an association with the Club since the 1990’s and was appointed to the Board of Directors in March 2023.

Originally from rural NSW, Steve went to school in Wests heartland of Campbelltown and now resides in the Inner West. His formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Science Degree (Agriculture), Diploma in Education, Diploma in Legal Practice and an Honours Degree in Law.

A lawyer by profession, he was admitted as a barrister in 1991 and has held a solicitor’s practising certificate for about 30 years. Steve has conducted his own law practice for about 25 years after serving in several senior public service positions, where his expertise was rewarded with a Premier’s public sector management award. Steve was also previously a schoolteacher and a farmer.

For much of the last 20 years, Steve has held a range of judicial and quasi-judicial positions, where his speciality is administrative law. Away from work, Steve has a passion for music and is a keen rugby league follower.

Steve’s many and varied roles mean he brings to the Board many different skills such as strategic planning, analytical thinking, evidence-based decision-making and, as with most folk reared in rural areas, a healthy dose of common sense. The future growth and development of the Holman Barnes Group is Steve’s priority in his role as a Director.

Richard (Rick) Yabsley is a recent appointment with the Holman Barnes Group Board, filling a casual vacancy.

Richard’s formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce (UNSW), Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance, Tax Agent and Chartered Accountant. He has over 40 years’ experience as a Chartered Accountant, 35 of those as Principal and Director of international and local accounting firms. Currently, Richard is the Founder and Principal of Bacchus Associates Chartered Accountants and the Bacchus Advisory group. He is also Director of a national aluminium extrusion and distribution business and acts as the Australian-based Director for a UK Funds Management entity, and sits on several executive building committees for large strata plans.

Richard’s background is in strategic advice, planning, corporate administration, governance, tax compliance and financial structuring across a broad range of clientele, from families and small-to-medium enterprises to national agricultural and mining representative bodies.

Apart from family duties (happily married with 3 adult daughters and a grandchild), Richard’s passions include rugby league (a lifelong Magpie and Wests Tigers tragic), live music and cycling. Richard can be found every weekend as a volunteer at Lidcombe Oval, and has been heavily involved in the Lidcombe Oval master plan, working with council and government and writing grant submissions for redevelopment. Each November he rides to raise money for MS through the MS Gong Ride.

Richard has a significant charitable and social conscience, with over a decade of involvement and financial contribution to the MS Society, Lifeline, Support Act and women’s welfare issues. His vision for the Holman Barnes Group is to provide long-term financial and management stability to enhance diversification and revenue opportunities for the benefit of all its members.

Shannon Cavanagh has had a long association with the Club and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2026.

Originally from Sydney, Shannon resides in the Inner West. He is the founder and Director of Bacchus Financial Services, which was established in 2005.

A Chartered Accountant by profession, Shannon has built a successful career advising businesses, not-for-profit organisations and individuals on taxation, business strategy, governance and financial management. Through Bacchus Financial Services, he has worked with organisations across a broad range of industries, helping them achieve sustainable growth and strong financial outcomes.

Over the course of his career, Shannon has developed extensive expertise in finance, governance, risk management and strategic planning, giving him a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing member-based and community-focused organisations. Away from work, he is a passionate rugby league supporter and values the role sporting and community organisations play in bringing people together.

As a Director, Shannon is committed to supporting the continued growth, financial strength and long-term success of the Club for the benefit of its members and the wider community.

Aldo Di Mento brings more than 45 years of experience in the commercial glazing industry, including over four decades as a successful business owner and leader. Throughout his career he has delivered complex commercial and government projects across New South Wales, overseeing major developments including the Parramatta Powerhouse Museum, Barangaroo Towers, Randwick Hospital and Apple flagship stores across Australia.

A qualified tradesman with expertise in glazing, crane operation, dogging and rigging, Aldo has built a reputation for operational excellence, strong leadership and an unwavering commitment to quality, safety and accountability.

Beyond his professional achievements, Aldo is deeply committed to community service. He is the founder of Wheels of Glory, a not-for-profit organisation established to support individuals and families experiencing hardship, including those affected by cancer, social isolation and unexpected life challenges. He is also a long-standing member of the Majors Bay Chamber of Commerce.

As a Director of Holman Barnes Group, Aldo contributes extensive business leadership experience, operational expertise and a strong understanding of community engagement. His practical approach to decision-making, combined with his commitment to service and governance, supports the Board’s focus on delivering long-term value for members, employees and the wider community.