FRRR - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Business Operations Manager
- CFO
Alison joined FRRR in July 2023 after working previously as a Corporate Services Manager and CFO in the NFP, private and public sectors in Victoria and South Australia. Prior to that she worked in public practice within the audit divisions of Deloitte and KPMG in Melbourne and Canberra.
Alison graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting, Economics and Commercial Law (Awarded) and holds a Graduate Diploma in Accounting. She is a Chartered Accountant and Governance and Risk Specialist with the Chartered and Governance Institutes of Australia.
When not at FRRR Alison enjoys spending time with her family on their small acreage property in Central Victoria, competing at equestrian events, skiing and hiking in the high country, and generally being active and adventurous.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator Community Engagement
Based in Western Australia, Alysia joined FRRR in October 2022 as a Coordinator Community Engagement, working on the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative, which is funded by the Future Drought Fund.
Alysia has had a substantial career in agricultural education working with schools, universities and the agricultural industry. She has also had roles in agricultural events and workforce development and volunteers in several organisations. She has a passion for rural Australia and enjoys working in a project focussed on delivering positive impact to grass-roots communities. By supporting community organisations to build capability she believes they will strengthen further in the face of challenge and position themselves to embrace new opportunity.
Annabel was appointed to the Board of the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal in 2015.
She has extensive experience in the philanthropic and not-for-profit sectors in Australia and is a keen supporter of grassroots initiatives, particularly in rural and regional areas. Prior to her career in philanthropy, Annabel worked in publishing and the media.
Annabel was reappointed as a Director of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation in 2016, after previously completing an eight-year term in 2013. VFFF and FRRR have partnered over a number of years on rural initiatives in NSW, including education and capacity building. Annabel is also a Director of Mundango Abroad and Southern Highlands Foundation.
Annabel previously worked part-time at VFFF researching, analysing and assessing grants. She moved from the city to rural properties in Glen Innes and now the Southern Highlands, and during this time worked for Landcare, Arts North West and the local council, amongst other community volunteer roles, giving her a wide understanding of community and rural needs.
Annabel holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney, a Graduate Diploma of Editing and Publishing from Macquarie University and a Master of Business (Social Investment and Philanthropy) at Swinburne University. She has also completed the Australian Company Institute of Director's course.
She is passionate about philanthropy, particularly women's empowerment, rural and regional renewal and the arts and continues to be involved on boards and committees in her areas of interest.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chair of the Board
Anne is a Director with wide experience in the philanthropic and not-for-profit sectors in Australia.
She served as a trustee of the John T Reid Charitable Trusts from 1998 to 2014, with the last five years as Chairman. Through this involvement Anne developed a commitment to building resilience and sustainability in rural communities. During this time the Trusts formed a close partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal initiating funding for the CATCH program and enabling funding for natural disaster recovery.
Anne has also served on the board of the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network, with a particular interest in broadening philanthropic donations to help protect biodiversity through nature conservation and to enable rural communities to develop strategies for resilience in the face of climate change.
She has a great interest in promoting early years education and early intervention services, having served on the board of the Advisory Council for Children with Impaired Hearing (Taralye) for more than ten years including time as Chairman. In 2014 Anne was appointed a life member of the Advisory Council for Children with Impaired Hearing.
April is the Grants Program Manager for NSW, joining FRRR in July 2021. She brings to the role extensive experience in grant management, application and assessment in both a government and philanthropic context. She is passionate about supporting rural and regional communities to prosper by connecting them to funds, resources and knowledge.
April has previously worked in Local Government, State Government, the Charity sector as an Executive Officer, as an Agronomist and a consultant working with communities across regional NSW and Victoria to improve grant writing skills and governance of community organisations.
Following her passion for organisational governance April has been a director, chairperson and committee member of many Government and community boards and committees.
Outside of work April keeps busy going on adventures with her family camping, kayaking, bushwalking, chilling at the beach and participating in Parkrun. She is an active volunteer in her local community.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Secretary of the ACTU
Mr Kelty was a founding board member of FRRR, serving from inception to 30 June 2019 and following his retirement, was appointed as a Patron of FRRR.
Job Titles:
- Disaster Resilience & Recovery Officer
Brooke commenced with FRRR in August 2021 as the Disaster Resilience and Recovery Grant Support Officer. She has qualifications in Social Work & Social Planning and has extensive experience in the community services sector working for government agencies as well as not-for-profit organisations.
Brooke has primarily worked in case management, coordination and project management roles where she has supported individuals, families and communities to achieve positive outcomes. She maintains a strong connection to rural living having been raised in a farming community in the West Wimmera, and has spent her career working across the Loddon Mallee Region whilst living in Bendigo.
Bruce Scott was born and bred in Western Queensland. He and his wife owned and managed Moothandella, a cattle station in the Queensland Channel Country until 2020 and now resides in Charleville. Bruce has spent 27 years in local government, public sector and not-for-profit boards, and was Mayor of the Shire of Barcoo for 16 years. He has been recognised in the Queen's birthday Honours List for his services to local government, and to the community.
Bruce brings a breadth of experience of living and running businesses in rural communities. He currently acts as an advisor to the National Emergency Management Agency, sits on the boards of Southern Queensland Landscapes, South West Hospital and Health Service, Red Ridge Foundation, Rural Financial Counselling Service North Queensland and the Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation Finance Audit and Risk Committee.
He previously served as Chair of Desert Channels Queensland, and as a Director on the Central West Hospital and Health Service, Central West Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD), and Regional Natural Resource Management Groups Collective Board.
Bruce has completed board governance, risk management and financial acumen training with the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Queensland Treasury Corporation, and has a keen interest in telecommunications, renewable energy, the environment and responsible land use practices. He is also passionate about education and taking an integrated approach to building strong rural communities.
Job Titles:
- Community Futures Program Manager
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant and Business Operations Coordinator
Carolyn joined the FRRR team in March 2017, and is responsible for providing executive support to the CEO, effective coordination of the FRRR office and general administrative support to the management team. A key responsibility is supporting the administration of FRRR's Donation Account Services.
She has over fifteen years' experience working in local government in the Tourism and Arts Sector, Civic and Event Management and Community engagement.
Carolyn has a Bachelor of Arts in Librarianship, majoring in psychology, and grew up on farming communities in Cohuna and Echuca and currently lives in Bendigo.
Carolyn Munckton comes to FRRR with extensive knowledge and experience in the philanthropy and for purpose sectors. She has worked in the philanthropy team at Equity Trustees, was General Manager of the Benevolent Trust at the Victoria Women's Trust, and spent three years with The Funding Network contributing to growing its reach in Victoria.
After 30 years of living in Melbourne, Carolyn returned to her childhood roots and now lives part-time in Avenel where she contributes to many community organisations and is strategic adviser to the Seymour District Charitable Fund.
Carolyn holds a Master of Social Investment and Philanthropy.
Job Titles:
- Philanthropic Services Manager, Corporate
Danielle manages the Giving Sub-Funds of corporate donors to deliver tailored grant rounds for targeted impact. Danielle helps to develop partnerships that will connect corporate Australia to the needs of rural, regional and remote communities.
Prior to joining the FRRR, Danielle's business and community partnership experience has included working with the Australia Red Cross on national and international projects, and other NFP roles in the arts, education and health. She is proud of working in the third sector to enable meaningful outcomes through community engagement that seeks a shared understanding and benefit for everyone involved.
In her free time, Danielle enjoys the written word in many forms, and both visual and performing arts, escaping outdoors and overseas to hike or play in water.
David Hurley joined the Australian Army in January 1972, graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. In a long and distinguished 42-year military career, his service culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force.
He commanded the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment during Operation SOLACE in Somalia in 1993, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross. Following promotion to Colonel, he was appointed Chief of Staff, Headquarters 1st Division in June 1994, attending the U.S. Army War College in 1996 and 1997. He commanded the 1st Brigade from 1999-2000 in Darwin, supporting Australian-led operations in East Timor. He was appointed the inaugural Chief of Capability Development Group from 2003-07, Chief of Joint Operations Command in October 2007, and Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July 2008. Promoted to General, he succeeded Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston as Chief of the Defence Force on 4 July 2011 until his retirement on 30 June 2014. In 2010, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the Australian Defence Force.
Prior to being sworn in as Governor-General, David Hurley served as the 38th Governor of New South Wales from October 2014 - May 2019.
David Hurley was born in Wollongong, New South Wales on 26 August 1953, the son of Norma and James Hurley. His father was an Illawarra steelworker and his mother worked in a grocery store. He grew up in Port Kembla and attended Port Kembla High School where he completed his Higher School Certificate in 1971. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1975. He is married to Linda with whom he has three children: Caitlin, Marcus and Amelia.
He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Wollongong in 2013; a Doctor of the University, honoris causa, from the University of New South Wales in 2015; made a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering in 2016; and awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Macquarie University in 2017.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Acting Deputy Secretary
David Mackay is the Acting Deputy Secretary for Regional, Cities, and Territories in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, after serving as First Assistant Secretary of Infrastructure Investment Division, and, earlier, of Cities Division. Before joining the Department, David held division and branch head roles across the Australian public sector, in the Attorney-General's Department, the Department of Finance (where he was responsible for Budget coordination and policy), and the Department of Health (in health system and funding reform, and in youth mental health and suicide prevention).
David is a graduate of the University of Sydney and Monash University, and is an alumnus of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government's Executive Fellows Program.
Job Titles:
- Place Program Coordinator
Deanne moved into the role of Place Program Coordinator in August 2021, and prior to that, she managed the Tackling Tough Times Together program. Dea commenced with FRRR in 2019, and has over ten years experience in corporate philanthropic and community investment in a number of organisations and state government, with a focus on grant programs, employee volunteering and engagement.
Deanne grew up on a farm near the small town of Wycheproof in north-western Victoria, and remains connected to primary producers with her ongoing involvement at the local Bendigo farmers market. She is passionate about building capacity in regional communities to enable them to thrive. Deanne lives in Bendigo with her husband and three busy boys.
Deb joined FRRR in April 2022 as the People Portfolio Lead.
With a career in not-for-profit leadership spanning more than two decades, Deb has extensive experience across executive, fundraising, finance, and program development functions. Her lifelong passion for connecting people with purpose and opportunities can be traced all the way back to her first job as a volunteer camp counsellor and organising campus fundraising events while completing her Business degree at UTS Sydney.
Early in her career, Deb's passion for travel and unlocking opportunities for young people took her to the US where she spent two decades leading youth-focused not-for-profits, launching the C5 Leaders program providing at-risk youth with leadership and tertiary education opportunities. In early 2018 she returned home to Australia to settle back in regional NSW, immediately diving into not-for-profit work in out of home care, Indigenous mentoring and youth mental health. Before joining the FRRR team, Deb was working with a portfolio of emerging not-for-profit organisations in regional Australia, supporting small teams to build capacity and strategically grow programs and fundraising capability to increase impact and sustainability.
Deb feels very blessed to live in the regional town of Ballina, NSW on the land of the Nyangbul People of the Bundjalung Nation. Outside work you will find her in her happy place walking on Angels beach, volunteering in the community, catching up with friends over coffee, and exploring all the hidden natural and cultural gems across the beautiful Northern Rivers region.
Donna Digby is passionate about showcasing the best of remote and Northern Australia: the strength and perspective of local people, the places, and working with others to create a vibrant future and thriving regions. Her connection to the NT spans 25 years and she has lived and worked in most regions of the NT. She currently lives in the rural area outside Mparntwe (Alice Springs). She values authenticity, inclusion, collaboration and creating a positive impact.
Donna embodies a people-centred, place-based and purpose-driven approach. For the past two decades, Donna has worked with local people in Victoria and the NT to inform, shape and achieve their futures.
She is an inclusive and community focused leader that believes we can achieve richer outcomes for our communities when we create spaces and opportunities to draw on the ideas, experiences and expertise from within our community, as well learning from other communities in Australia.
Donna is driven to support community leaders to reach their leadership potential by drawing on their lived experience, creating pathways for leadership development, building networks, mentoring and attracting investment to facilitate this. Donna is the current NT Chair - Agrifutures Rural Women's Award Alumni, Board Director of Red Earth Community Foundation, Graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and has completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honors.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator Community Engagement
- Officer With the Tackling Tough Times Together Program
Fiona joined the FRRR team in 2019 as a Grants Officer with the Tackling Tough Times Together Program, and moved into the Philanthropic Services team in 2021. In October 2022, Fiona took on the role of Coordinator Community Engagement.
Coming from an administration and projects background, Fiona also brings with her personal experiences living in Central Western NSW and has recently returned to the Bendigo region to live. Fiona has been a community leader for a number of years and is passionate about creating opportunity, contributing to developing resilient communities, working together to better achieve and encourage community ownership.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- General President of AgForce Queensland
- Industry Leader and Strategist
Georgie Somerset AM is an industry leader and strategist with boundless energy for regional development across Australia. Based on her family's cattle property in Queensland's South Burnett, she is actively involved in the operation of the multigenerational family beef business. For three decades Georgie has juggled the challenges associated with living regional and remote and has advocated in this space tirelessly.
Georgie was a founder, and later president, of the Queensland Rural Regional and Remote Women's Network-QRRRWN and held roles with the National Foundation for Australian Women as well as a founding member and Chair of the Red Earth Community Foundation.
In addition to her Philanthropic callings, Georgie uses her resilience and forward-thinking out of the square approach across multiple boards in the not-for-profit, government and industry sectors.
Georgie is currently the General President of AgForce Queensland, Chair of the Red Earth Community Foundation South Burnett, Director of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland section), the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Eastern Operations) Limited, Mediflight, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the National Farmers Federation and the RFDS Foundation. Georgie also serves on a number of advisory committees for regional development, tertiary institutions, industry and community groups, including the Telstra QLD Regional Advisory Council, USQ's Rural Economies Centre of Excellence and a number of government review panels. Georgie is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and the Institute for Resilient Regions.
Job Titles:
- Philanthropic Services Officer
Hayley Troy is one of FRRR's Philanthropic Services Officers. She joined the team in 2016 and is responsible for managing our CRM and providing support to the team, as required. Her role is focused on donor information management, fundraising support and donor care and stewardship.
She also works with the Back to School team on administering the Back to School program. Previously, she has worked in retail and hospitality management across the Bendigo and Heathcote region. Outside of work, Hayley loves photography, concerts and cheering on her beloved Essendon Bombers.
John Sharp AM has a farming and business background. His political career commenced in 1980 at the age of 25 when he was elected to the Young Shire Council. In 1984, he was elected to the Federal Parliament as the National Party member for Gilmore. Following redistribution in 1993, he represented the seat of Hume. Mr Sharp served 14 years in the Federal Parliament, and from 1987 to the end of 1997 was a member of the Coalition's front bench as Shadow Minister, and then Minister for Transport and Regional Development and Federal Treasurer of the National Party.
During his parliamentary career, Mr Sharp became well known and respected for his role in promoting aviation safety and was responsible for numerous reforms, including a complete rewrite of the aviation regulations. He was also responsible for the reform of Australia's railways, creating the Australian Rail Track Corporation.
From 2001-15, Mr Sharp served as director of Airbus Group Australia Pacific. He was a director of Skytraders, operating aircraft for the Australian Antarctic Division, from 2005-13 and the French / Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a Director of Eurocopter Australia Pacific.
Mr Sharp has been involved in a number of voluntary organisations and is a former Co-Chair of the Cancer Council of NSW, Southern Highlands Branch, former Chairman of the Flight Safety Foundation, and former Chairman of the Winifred West Schools Foundation from 2001-2008. He was also a Member of the Climate Change Authority, and a Member of the University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Board.
Mr Sharp was invested as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2018 for significant service to the people and Parliament of Australia, to the aviation industry, and to the community.
Jaclyn joined the FRRR team in 2022 as a Grants Officer. Prior to Joining FRRR her experience included Office Management, Community Engagement, Program Coordinating, Early Childhood Education, and she has been involved in volunteer work throughout the Heathcote and Bendigo region. Jaclyn also has a strong customer service background.
Outside of work Jaclyn loves being a mum to her 3 young children, taking them on adventures, reading and spending time with friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Government
- Member of the Board
James Flintoft has substantial private sector and government executive leadership and governance experience, including in regional development and agriculture policy and service delivery. He has served on various private sector, government and not-for-profit boards.
He spent 10 years in the public service including as Chief Executive of Regional Development Victoria facilitating infrastructure development, jobs facilitation and regional partnerships; Deputy Secretary, Agriculture Victoria; and First Assistant Secretary, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Before joining the public service, James spent 20 years working in the private sector. He was a senior executive at ANZ Bank - including Managing Director, Business Banking; a management consultant at McKinsey & Company in the firm's Australian, London and Washington offices advising across many industries; and a commercial lawyer at Allens Arthur Robinson.
He was formerly Treasurer of the Mirabel Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that provides support and counselling services to children orphaned or abandoned due to parental drug abuse.
He has a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne, an MBA from the Wharton School (US), and is a Graduate of the AICD.
Job Titles:
- Philanthropic Services Officer, Corporate
Jane joined FRRR in May 2021 to work as a Grants Officer, and now supports the Corporate Philanthropic Services Manager. She has a background in agriculture with a strong affinity for regional and rural people.
Jane grew up on a sheep and cattle family farm in North-East Victoria and completed a degree in Agriculture Science at The University of Melbourne. This has been followed by roles in agriculture research, communication and event management. She is keenly interested in supporting rural communities.
Jane has lived in Bendigo since the early 2000's and has 3 children currently in secondary school. Outside of work she enjoys bush walking, camping, reading and watching her kids play sport.
Jeanice is responsible for leading several targeted national and issues-based programs. Since joining FRRR in 2010, she has managed a wide variety of grant programs and has a wealth of knowledge on a diverse range of issues in rural, regional and remote communities.
Prior to joining FRRR, Jeanice's experience included records management, historical research and community heritage, events management, grants management and working in early childhood social-emotional development programs. She has been a dedicated early childhood and primary school extension program volunteer and regular contributor to music programs in local aged care facilities. Jeanice travels off the bitumen whenever possible, to explore and support rural and remote communities.
Jill joined FRRR in 2021 as Place Lead.
Having grown up in a farming community in New Zealand, Jill has lived and worked in rural and regional communities throughout her life. Her strong commitment to strengthening how communities prepare, react and respond to change and crisis, particularly in rural and regional areas, has seen her take the lead on community recovery after major emergencies such as the Black Saturday fires in Bendigo and multiple bushfires in the Macedon Ranges.
Jill has worked in the private and not-for-profit sectors and all levels of government, including 14 years in leadership roles in emergency management and community development in local government. Her previous roles have also included journalism, wool classing and natural resource management. She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural and Regional Planning and is a graduate of the LGPRO Executive Leadership Program.
Outside of work, Jill and her partner enjoy life on a rural property in Elphinstone with lots of animals including the Bullmastiffs that she breeds and shows.
Jillian Kirwan Lee has a background in partnership development and relationship management, having developed corporate and channel partnerships across multiple industry segments including foreign exchange, executive development and leadership events with such organisations as OzForex and The Growth Faculty.
Jillian is passionate about the importance of thriving regional and rural communities to Australian society and our economy, and frequently heads out to the wild yonder to enjoy the wide open skies of our remote regions. Jillian and her family are based in Mudgee in NSW.
Job Titles:
- Philanthropic Services Manager
Jo has more than fifteen years experience in the community development and social services sector, working in both local government and not for profit settings. During this time she has facilitated successful programs engaging a broad range of stakeholders including schools, businesses, government and community organisations. Her work has had a strong emphasis on supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities living in Victoria. Jo commenced with FRRR in August 2018 as our Philanthropic Services Manager responsible for looking after Not-for-Profit Fundraising Accounts, Giving Sub-Funds and Community Foundations, as well as advisory / consulting services. Jo is passionate about building local capacity and enabling individuals and community groups to achieve positive change through a community development approach. She lives with her family in the small town of Macedon.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
Josie is our People Portfolio Support Officer, focused on providing administrative support for the two key People Portfolio programs, Investing in Rural Community Futures and Youth Programs. She oversees the effective administration of these programs and assists the team with logistical support and business processes.
Josie joined FRRR in 2023. She has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, having held a range of administrative, financial and managerial roles in community service and environmental organisations. As an experienced administrator, Josie has also worked within the private and government sectors.
Josie grew up in the Wide Bay-Burnett region of south east Queensland on a remote cattle property which nurtured her love of the natural environment. She now resides in the regional town of Ocean Shores, NSW and lives, works and plays with her loved ones on the land, seas and rivers of the Midjumbil / Durumbil clans, People of the Bundjalung Nation.
Kate's role as the Program Manager for the FDF Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative involves overseeing and managing the six initiative elements. Kate joined FRRR in 2018 as a Grants Officer before moving into the role of Grants Operations Coordinator.
She has a background in heritage management for not-for-profit and government organisations with an emphasis on community planning and development.
Kate is passionate about capacity building of community groups, fostering pride of place and supporting community ownership of revitalisation endeavours from inception.
Kate has experience applying for and administering grants and has lived in Bendigo since 2010.
Job Titles:
- Programs Manager
- Programs Manager for QLD
Starting with FRRR in August 2022, Katrina is the Programs Manager for QLD, NT & WA.
Katrina is a Darug Aboriginal woman, with traditional connections to Western Sydney and Blue Mountains area of NSW.
Katrina has lived in Cairns since 2007, working with the remote communities of North Queensland, including in Cape York and the Torres Strait. She has a Bachelor of Business (Environment Tourism) and has 15 years experience in leading community development initiatives across multiple sectors.
She has a strong personal interest in supporting culturally based economic opportunities for First Nations people, along with facilitating local leaders' voices in the design and implementation of externally funded programs and projects. Katrina maintains cultural ties with her country and community, and as an artist enjoys expressing her identity through modern mediums and styles, including photography.
Job Titles:
- People Programs Coordinator
Lauren joined FRRR in July 2021 as the People Programs Coordinator. In her role she is responsible for coordinating the Heywire Youth Innovation grants and the Investing in Rural Community Futures grants for Bay & Basin.
Lauren has a background in rural and regional economic development, having worked in tourism and economic development in local government and the not-for-profit sector. Lauren loves a good volunteer role whether it be a sport committee or volunteer jobs that utilize her sector experience, from community event committees to judging in the NSW Tourism Awards.
Working remotely, Lauren lives in Deniliquin with her partner and two young girls. In her spare time, she can be found on the netball court, travelling, or taking up a new crafting hobby.
Lisa joined FRRR in 2009, initially as a casual Grants Assessment Officer and is now the National / NT & WA Programs Officer. She has a background in emergency services and agriculture and is passionate about increasing food security through localised community led food systems.
Lisa has extensive experience supporting rural communities to become more resilient and achieve their goals. She works across a large number of programs, assessing grants and providing administrative support for FRRR.
Loralee commenced as the Finance Officer for FRRR in 2011, Loralee is contracted to FRRR for two days per week, although is fully considered one of the FRRR Team. Using MYOB accounting software, Loralee takes care of all financial matters for FRRR including Payroll, accounts payable and receivables, donation receipts, budgeting, general ledger, banking and reconciliations in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policies and strategies. On the remaining weekdays when Loralee is not in the FRRR office, she assists other businesses with their finance and bookkeeping requirements, including several other Not for Profit entities. When not attending to bookkeeping and finance matters, Loralee enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, cooking and camping.
Job Titles:
- RRC Facilitation & Communication Officer
Marjolein is the Rebuilding Rural Communities Facilitation & Communication Officer, joining in April 2022. She brings over a decade of experience in grants applications and contract management, stakeholder engagement, communications, and research.
Prior to joining FRRR she was in the University sector in New Zealand, working with researchers to attain and manage grant funding from across government, philanthropic and private sectors. She also has experience in State Government and the private sector.
Marjolein lives in the Whitsundays with her family. Outside of work she loves exploring new parts of Australia, bush walking, reading, and spending time with her kids.
Melanie joined FRRR in April 2022 as the Grants Officer for Rebuilding Rural Communities. She has over 15 years of experience in local government, library services, stakeholder engagement, youth services, and research.
Prior to joining FRRR she completed a Master of Information Studies full time and is excited to be able to work in the philanthropic sector and contribute to helping communities develop and thrive.
Melanie has lived in regional areas all her life, and currently lives in Dubbo NSW with family, a German Shepherd named Loki and what seems like innumerable cats. When she is not working, Melanie enjoys reading, movies, gardening, dog obedience training, photography, and writing.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- AC Is a Company Director, Pastoralist and Philanthropist
- Patron
Tim is Chairman of the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation. He is the Director of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, and Australian Philanthropic Services.
He is President of the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation, a member of the National Portrait Gallery Foundation, the National Gallery of Australia Foundation and Australian Schools Plus.
Tim is Patron of the AMAQ Foundation, the University of the Sunshine Coast Foundation, the Flying Arts Alliance Incorporated, the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, and the Actors' & Entertainers' Benevolent Fund (QLD) Inc.
Tim takes an active leadership role in promoting philanthropy in Australia. He is passionate about supporting rural, remote and regional communities, particularly students from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Tim has a range of business interests. He operates nine rural properties in Queensland and New South Wales involving beef cattle, fine wool and grain.
Job Titles:
- Community Futures Program Manager
Nancy Sposato ‘s professional career kicked off as a Melbourne based physical theatre performer and director, working with high profile arts organisations whilst developing independent contemporary theatre projects. Out of necessity Nancy honed her administrative, publicity and grant writing capabilities to support her ongoing arts practice and collaboration.
Natalie Egleton is the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR). With a 25-year career in the non-profit and philanthropic sector in consulting, fundraising and partnerships, and organisation development roles, she is passionate about facilitating effective and enduring responses to issues facing rural communities.
Since becoming CEO of FRRR in 2015 she has led the organisation through a period of significant growth and impact, facilitating over $80m in funding to remote, rural, and regional communities through hundreds of partnerships and collaborations. Before joining FRRR, Natalie consulted with Matrix on Board, working with numerous not-for-profit organisations in program evaluation, undertaking research analysis and developing business plans. She also worked with clients to develop financial policies and procedures, strategic plans, organisation reviews, service mapping, feasibility studies and governance models. Natalie has also held in-house roles at Evolve (Typo Station) and at ANZ Banking Group, implementing projects that made a tangible difference to the lives of people living in rural, regional and remote Australia. She has also held voluntary roles on Boards and Committees of a rural RTO and her local Pre-school.
Natalie holds a B. Social Science (Public Policy/Research/Public Relations), Grad Dip Applied Science (Organisation Dynamics), and is a Graduate of the Institute of Company Directors.
She lives in the small rural town of Maldon in central Victoria.
Job Titles:
- Disaster Resilience & Recovery Lead
Nina is passionate about advocating for the people that call regional Australia home and making their communities great places to live. Raised in the Mallee scrub of western South Australia, her skills in strategic thinking, project management, governance, communication, and community engagement position her well to lead the Disaster Resilience & Recovery team at FRRR.
Nina has recently taken on the challenge of studying an MBA and holds a Bachelor of Arts, Graduate Diploma of Community Sector Management, and certificates in Governance and Training and Assessment. She has previously worked in not-for-profit management, community services, regional arts development and local government in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. In her spare time, Nina is a practising artist and also volunteers in the Echuca Moama community.
Ruth joined FRRR in 2023 as the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative Grants Officer. In her role, she supports the HRCPD team, grantees and applicants. She has previously worked in State Government including Emergency Services and Local Land Services.
Ruth is passionate about supporting rural, regional and remote communities and enjoys interacting with local leaders. She grew up on property in the Riverina and has always lived and worked in remote communities.
Her personal experience with drought in NSW and QLD ensures she has a great understanding of the real issues that rural communities face in times of drought.
Ruth is based in Cobar and outside work, enjoys photography and spending time with her family and her animals.
Sarah is the Grants Program Manager for VIC / TAS / SA, starting with FRRR in February 2024. Sarah brings to the role extensive community development and community engagement experience with various positions held with local government and not-for-profit organisations, focusing on marginalised communities, including, vulnerable older people, gender equity, gender-based violence, disability and LGBTQIA+.
Fundamental to Sarah's working ethos is social equity and positive social outcomes and supporting grass root community led projects and initiatives. Sarah has a love of connecting people with tools and resources that remove barriers and deliver broad community benefits.
Sarah lives on Djaara Country with her young family and enjoys the peace that living in central Victoria brings.
Sarah joined FRRR in August 2017 and is the Lead of our newly formed Climate Solutions Portfolio. She is passionate about the need to adapt and mitigate in response to a changing climate, and strives to ensure communities have agency in decision-making, and the resources they need, to lead a just transition.
In her previous role as General Manager, Partnerships & Services, Sarah focused on supporting FRRR's partners to facilitate impact across rural, regional and remote Australia. She has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, having held a range of volunteer, board and staff roles at environmental, international development and arts organisations. A chemical engineer and lawyer, Sarah has also worked at a global commercial law firm.
Sue has wide reaching and deep change management experience across agricultural businesses, commodity groups and sectors, and regional and rural local communities. She is passionate about the future of rural and regional Australia and has focused her 30-year professional career in this area. Sue has a real-world perspective on how to make community organisations successful and has deep experience in successfully brokering Government intent and industry and community capacity.
Sue's past roles include the Chair of the WA Regional Development Trust which oversees the Royalties for Regions program, Chair of the West Midlands Group (Grower Group), National Rural Advisory Council, COAG Reform Council, WA Agricultural Produce Commissioner, National Regional Women's Advisory Council, Farmbis State Planning Group, Australian Research Council, and Regional Solutions Board.
For her work, Sue has been awarded the Centenary Medal for Service to Regional Australia in 2002, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Woman of the Year for Australia in 2010 and was inducted into the Western Australia Women's Hall of Fame in 2018.
Sue joined the FRRR Board in 2018.
Job Titles:
- Information Management Officer
Sylvia is our Information Management Officer and has responsibility for data management and analysis, keeping track of the information and systems that FRRR draws upon. She joined the team in August 2011 as Administration Officer.
Having previously worked in a range of different organisations, from Government Departments, to Minister's Offices, as well as in health and retail, and within large corporations, Sylvia brings a wealth of practical administrative experience. She also has a strong customer service background.
Vivienne joined FRRR in October 2017 as a Grants Officer. She has a background working in community-based organisations in areas of emergency services, homeless programs and migrant settlement.
Vivienne has extensive experience in program administration and supporting volunteers throughout regional Victoria.
William Myer joined the FRRR Board in January, 2023, as the representative of the Sidney Myer Fund.
William works at Regal Partners in Sydney, where he is primarily responsible for continuing to grow and expand Regal's existing relationships and strong connections within the Australian family office sector and sophisticated, self-directed private investor channel.
William previously spent 10 years at financial software firm Bloomberg across roles in London, New York and, most recently, Sydney, where he led Bloomberg's Analytics division in Australia and NZ. Prior to Bloomberg, William held analyst roles at Caledonia Investments, and at his family's investment group, the Yulgilbar Group of Companies. William has also been involved within his family business for well over 15 years, contributing within his family investment office with a particular focus on investing, philanthropy, agriculture and group level strategy.
William holds a Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies) from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Science (International Business) from Hult International Business School in Boston, MA. William holds a deep passion for Rural Australia and has worked through a variety of agricultural endeavors on family properties in the Clarence Valley and the Mornington Peninsula.