RDV - Key Persons
Alison is a highly accomplished General Manager with multi-disciplinary commercial experience on a national level. Alison's professional services are focused as a strategic advisor in the scale residential property sector, working with the development and finance industries, disability sector and public policy advisors, particularly in the areas of housing affordability, build to rent and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).
Alison is currently on the Board of Unison, and a member of the Property Council of Australia's Geelong Development Committee.
Job Titles:
- Owner of Apollo Bay Distillery
Andrew Noseda is the owner of Apollo Bay Distillery. Born and bred in the town, he is passionate about celebrating the past and sharing those stories with visitors.
Having started multiple successful businesses in the area, he recently converted the old Post Office building into a new gin distillery.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer of Colac Otway Shire
Anne is Chief Executive Officer of Colac Otway Shire, has 20 years of experience in Local Government and brings a diverse range of skills to the RDA Committee. Anne is also a representative on the Barwon Regional Partnership.
With a strong background in working for Local Government in regional Victoria, having worked with Campaspe Shire Council and Surf Coast Shire Council, Anne has a thorough understanding of the G21 region and is a Board Member of G21 - Geelong Region Alliance.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Regions
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Deputy Secretary, Regional Development and Outdoor Recreation
Based in Ballarat, Beth holds the dual role of CEO of Regional Development Victoria and Deputy Secretary of Regional Development and Outdoor Recreation Group within the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions. She oversees the Regional Development and Outdoor Recreation portfolios, and the department's emergency management responsibilities.
An experienced executive in the public sector, Beth has previously worked across the portfolios of agriculture, forestry, game management, mining and resources. Beth has led a range of significant reforms relating to resource development, mine rehabilitation, forestry, biosecurity, emergency management and regional development.
Beth holds an Honours degree in Applied Science and a Master of Business Administration. She is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In 2023, Beth was awarded a Sir James Wolfensohn Public Service Scholarship to undertake study at Harvard Kennedy School.
Job Titles:
- Executive Officer
- Regional Director
- Regional Director, Barwon South West
Brett is the Regional Director of Regional Development Victoria BSW and the Executive Officer on the RDA BSW Committee.
Brett has strong networks across the region with an excellent knowledge of the Visitor Economy and Geelong as regional city.
Job Titles:
- RDA Barwon South West Committee Chair
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Chairman of Committee
Clive Pugh is CEO of Winchester Australia Limited and Chair of Committee for Geelong with business experience in mining, process manufacturing and wholesale distribution and finance background in management accounting and project evaluation.
Clive believes the best way to achieve things is through people and allowing decision making to be made at the lowest level in an organisation.
Clive has developed strategic and operating plans for medium sized business and as part of listed companies. He likes to evaluate performance using quantitative and qualitative data.
Clive holds a Master in Business (Durham University), Commerce Degree (Deakin) and Cert IV Training and Assessment (Swinburne).
Darryl brings over 30 years' experience in Financial Services where he has undertaken a broad range of roles and experiences including COO, State General Manager and National Industry Segment Head (Agribusiness).
Darryl is currently Deputy Chair, The Gordon TAFE in Geelong and Chair, Audit and Risk Management Committee.
Darryl has held executive leadership positions for the past 18 years with several Top 10 ASX listed companies.
In 2019 Darryl completed the Wharton Business School - Global Advanced Risk Management program in Philadelphia USA, holds the CPA accreditation and is an AICD graduate.
Darryl is currently completing a Master of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Melbourne.
David is an accomplished senior executive who has set up, run and led regional development organisations in Victoria, Queensland and Canberra.
David was instrumental in the development of the G21 Region Plan - a sustainable growth strategy in his past role as Manager of Strategy and Research at G21 - Geelong Region Alliance.
He has served as a Senior Officer of Local Government, reporting to the CEO and Council at the Golden Plains Shire where he led implementation of several significant regional economic development initiatives.
He was the founding CEO of Fraser Coast Opportunities and Invest Fraser Coast in Queensland. David also held the position of General Manager at The Regional Australia Institute - a regional economic development think tank based in Canberra.
Job Titles:
- Acting Chair
- Deputy Chair of RDA Barwon South West
Grant Sutherland is the Deputy Chair of RDA Barwon South West. Grant is also the CEO South West Victoria, Deakin University, and Chair Great South Coast Economic Futures Project Steering Group. Prior to this, Grant was the CEO of Kangan Institute, CEO of The Gordon Institute, and worked as the Business Development Manager at Boeing Australia.
Grant has held a number of board appointments across the region including Director South West Victoria Alliance Board; President of the Geelong Chamber of Commerce; Chair VECCI Regional Committee; Barwon Health Foundation; Skilling the Bay; Committee for Geelong; Northern Futures and Geelong Manufacturing Council.
Grant is adept at collaboratively leveraging the strengths and capabilities of the region to create new jobs and transition local sectors to a high value, high yield economy with enhanced employment opportunities for all members of the community.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Place Based Strategy, Insights and Coordination
Radio and television industry professional John Fitzgibbon is new to the committee.
In his current role as General Manager of Ballarat's 3BA and Power FM he has driven a strong community focus, including delivery of Winter and Christmas Appeals.
Ballarat local Justin Gilbert has built a 30-year career in finance, information technology, data analytics and business intelligence and is currently employed at Federation University Australia as Manager Planning Analytics and Reporting in the Chief Operating Office.
He has worked extensively with small businesses, non-profits, corporates and educational institutions, all based in Ballarat but with a strong presence throughout Southern and Western Victoria and the Grampians.
Justin has also clocked up seven years' board experience in tourism, small business and regional development, focusing on financial, corporate governance and strategic planning.
His contribution within the committee will centre on exploring ways to invest and upskill the region through education and training.
Job Titles:
- Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Keith joined gforce employment and recruitment as Chief Executive in September 2020. Prior to this, Keith was Chief Executive for Surf Coast Shire Council and was Chief Executive for the Shire of Campaspe.
Keith spent the first 20 years of his career in the commercial sector, with senior roles in project management, information technology and financial management.
Keith is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fellow of CPA Australia.
Keith is committed to improving the lives of people in our communities and is Board Chair for Gateways Support Services and Board Director for G21 - Geelong Region Alliance.
An experienced Board Chair and non-executive director, Ms O'Callaghan brings strong strategic planning and governance experience to the committee and is a proven leader in the health and community services field.
Currently Chair of Gippsland's Mental Health and Wellbeing Interim Body and a member of the Australian Medical Council's Recognition Medical Specialities Committee, Ms O'Callaghan brings extensive experience in organisational management, community informed service design and industry development.
She has previously served as Board Director of Primary Health Network Gippsland and Better Care Victoria, as well as Chair and Board Director at Latrobe Regional Hospital. Having served as Mayor of Latrobe City Council through the closure of the Hazelwood Power Station, she brings extensive experience in transitioning regional economies to the role of Chair.
As Mayor, she provided leadership and guidance to the co-creation of A Strength-Led Transition, a community, business, industry and Council publication which captured community aspirations for an empowered economic transition post brown coal fired power generation.
Ms O'Callaghan has secured significant support for council's economic, community and liveability initiatives through constructive partnerships across all levels of government and has extensive experience supporting communities through crisis and emergency events.
Kerryn Ellis is a passionate public sector leader with over 25 experience, who is energised by working with communities in a context of rapid change. Kerryn's main professional love is building high performing, ethical and agile organisations with values-based leadership working in partnership to deliver great outcomes with the community.
Kerryn's current role is Chief Executive Officer of South Gippsland Shire Council. Prior to this position, Kerryn held the positions of Director Corporate Services at Victoria's Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission and Director Corporate Performance with the City of Greater Bendigo. Kerryn holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma of Public Policy and Management. Kerryn is a current board member of LGPro, and was recognised as one of the IPAA Top 50 Public Sector Women in 2021.
Kieren has worked in senior leadership roles across both private and not-for-profit sectors and has nearly 20 years' experience in the Employment Services industry. Commencing in the CEO role at Workways in 2019, Kieren brings extensive experience and qualifications in project and change management and expertise across employment services both in the region and beyond.
Kieren's connection to Gippsland started when he attended secondary school in Bairnsdale. He has continued that connection since starting at Workways. He spends a significant amount of time in East Gippsland and the broader region engaging with staff and community.
Having lived in the Northern Territory, North Queensland and Tasmania, he understands the challenges facing regional communities. Kieren has a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Applied Science and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Job Titles:
- Regional Director, Loddon Mallee
Job Titles:
- Director of LHLK Architects
- Member of Committee
Based in Horsham, Linda Kwok is director of LHLK Architects and a member of the Victoria Building Appeals Board.
Linda combines over 25 years of professional consultancy and industry experience, which has developed her into a well-rounded, dedicated and astute business woman.
Linda's professional career began as a graduate from the University of Waterloo, Canada in 1993, where she obtained an Honours Bachelor of Mathematics in Business and Information Systems. Having worked in top-tier consulting organisations such as KPMG, Gartner and Deloitte, she has consulted to high-profile clients in Canada, US, UK, Singapore and Australia across various industries including Not-for-Profit, government agencies, financial services, retail, insurance and health. As such, Linda has first-hand experience working in high-pressure situations, with tight deadlines and the dedication to deliver quality work.
Amongst Linda's strengths is her ability to bring together the knowledge that she has collected over her career and adapt it to various cultures and circumstances in a non-confronting and engaging manner. With strong strategic thinking, Linda combines her broad experience in complex environments to execute and deliver outcomes. Her dedication to people and teamwork has often seen her leading large change programs to meet the vision and mission of organisations. Linda brings great drive and tenacity to programs requiring rigor and clear direction, but also provides a good mix of empathy and support.
Using effective communication and observation skills, Linda builds rapport across all levels of an organisation. Her clarity of thinking provides direction to staff and the capability to make the complex simpler. Utilising her strong sense of commercial acumen, Linda has demonstrated success in identifying opportunities, developing relationships and operating businesses from the ground up.
Linda currently combines her three passions of people, experiential learning and horses through the roles she currently holds as Managing Director at Runway HQ Limited, Director and Chair of charity organisation Hands of Change and her PhD studies that she is completing with Deakin University (part-time).
Job Titles:
- General Manager of Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Board
Liz is the General Manager of Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Board, Chair and Director of Great Southern Touring Route and Member Victorian Tourism Industry Council Destination Policy Committee.
Liz's previous leadership experience includes General Manager Australia at Club Tourism Publishing; CEO of Destination Melbourne and Board of Western Melbourne Tourism.
Liz is also the RDA representative on the Great South Coast Regional Partnership.
Armed with a Master of Marketing and Master of Business Administration and with extensive networks across the region and through the state and national tourism sector, Liz is keen to support the development of a more sustainable region across key industry sectors.
Job Titles:
- Acting Regional Director, Hume
Job Titles:
- Certified Practicing Accountant
- Executive Officer of East Gippsland Community Foundation
Michelle Dowsett is the Executive Officer of the East Gippsland Community Foundation.
Michelle is an Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate and has contributed to many boards and committees in Gippsland. She currently sits on Gippsland's Rural Financial Counselling Service, Bairnsdale Regional Health Service, TAFE Gippsland and the Gunaikurnai Traditional Land Owners Management Board's Audit and Risk Committee as an independent member.
She also represents the RDA Committee on the Gippsland Regional Partnership. Recently, Michelle served on the Board of East Gippsland Water (8 years) and as the Audit/Risk Chair for 4 years. She also sat on the Municipal Association of Victoria Audit/Risk Committee as an independent member for 6 years, 4 years as Chair.
Michelle is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and previously ran her own business providing business management, financial accounting and company secretary services from East Gippsland through to Melbourne. Between 2016 and 2020, she was also CEO of Sale Elderly Citizens Village, a community based, NFP, residential aged care and retirement living service provider.
Michelle is a passionate Gippslander who grew up in the region and has lived at Longford for the past 25 years on a hobby farm.
Born and raised in Ararat, Paul Hooper is well versed in local governance.
Born and raised in Ararat, Paul Hooper is well versed in local governance.
An Ararat Rural City Councillor for 15 years including six terms as Mayor, he played a role in the Return of Passenger Rail to Ararat, Challicum and Ararat Wind Farms, Duplication of the Western Highway, Extension of Hopkins Prison and the East Grampians Pipeline.
Paul has also amassed 40 years' experience in small business including supermarkets, fresh produce, commercial and domestic property development, consulting and education.
He's a former chair of the Victorian IGA Committee and the Central Highlands Mayors' and CEO's Forum - a peak advocacy for eight councils (Moorabool, Ballarat, Hepburn, Golden Plains, Central Goldfields, Ararat, Northern Grampians, and Pyrenees).
Paul's core strength is in leveraging infrastructure for population growth and industry expansion.
Job Titles:
- RDA Member
- RDA Representative
Peter is the longest serving RDA member with comprehensive understanding of the region in terms of strategic assets, capabilities and the complex challenges and opportunities.
Peter is also the RDA representative on the Barwon Regional Partnership and is the Business Manager for Avalon Airport Australia. Avalon has been acknowledged as one of Victoria's and the Nations great opportunities.
Peter's role is to explore and harness local and international business development for the airport. Peter also holds a Master in Business Management from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Born in Yallourn, new committee member Raelene has been dairy farming since 1986 in the Macalister Irrigation District.
An Australian Institute of Company Directors member, she chairs the Heyfield Hospital Board and the Macalister Customer Committee (Southern Rural Water).
On top of those duties, she also finds time to be Director of Rural Financial Counselling Gippsland, a mentor with Farmer's Friend (Lifeline Gippsland) and Treasurer with Nambrok Football Club, Newry Football Club and Newry Junior Football Club
On the committee, Raelene will encourage investment and development in the agriculture sector. She envisages a sustainable and profitable agricultural district aligned to a common brand - ‘Gippsland', and sees a strong, emerging market for farm products that have trustworthy provenance.
Job Titles:
- Director, Programs Recovery and Investment
Born and educated in Tasmania, Mary-Ann has lived at Dunkeld for over 30 years. As well as being a partner in a financial services business in Hamilton, Mary-Ann was a partner in a merino sheep stud.
In a wide variety of roles including Chair and Committee Member Rural Councils Victoria, Western District Health Service, Chair Dunkeld Community Centre, Councillor and 3 time Mayor of Southern Grampians Shire, Mary-Ann is passionate and committed about promoting rural communities and ensuring that all communities have equity of access to opportunities and essential services, such as health, digital connectivity, public transport and housing.
Job Titles:
- Regional Director, Gippsland
Job Titles:
- Regional Director, Grampians
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman of RDA Grampians
- Grampians RDA Chair
- Member of Committee
Stuart Benjamin is the Chair of RDA Grampians and has been leading the committee since 2012.
A strong advocate for the region, Stuart has almost 25 years' experience across multiple business sectors and is the Director of the Elmstone Property Group - a multi-faceted land and construction group operating across Western Victoria - as well as the Director of Aviation Accommodation Australia.
Stuart also chairs the Small Business Ministerial Council (SBMC) and the Grampians New Energy Taskforce (GNeT) - working across the region to lead new approaches and practices to drive a low-carbon economy in Victoria.
Prior to these roles, Stuart was the Chair of the Australian domain name regulator auDA, founding Chair of Ballarat Regional Tourism Board and previously held a board position at Enterprising Committees (trading as VERB), a not-for-profit with a focus on strengthening the connections between communities.
Born and raised in regional Victoria, Stuart studied and worked around the globe before settling in Ballarat in 2000 where he now lives with his four children.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Commerce, specialising in New Ventures, Innovation and Marketing
Graduate Certificate in International Business
Certificate IV Building and Construction
Various domestic AICD Courses and international specialist programs
Areas of expertise:
Building, Construction and Contract Management
Public Administration & Regulation
Community engagement and Stakeholder Management
Mr Benjamin collaborated with the Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions Telecommunications Infrastructure team and employed a telecommunications consultant to develop a paper responding to the ACCC's roaming considerations and outlined solutions.
Sue Smethurst is an award-winning journalist and author with more than 2 decades of experience in media, notably writing for titles such as The Australian Women's Weekly, The Weekend Australian magazine, the Herald Sun, Good Weekend along with a number of international titles.
She is the author of 11 books, sold internationally. In addition, she has worked as a Ministerial adviser in federal parliament.
Born and raised in Gippsland, Sue currently serves on the board of the Bairnsdale Regional Health Service, and has served on the community panel of Ad Standards Australia, and the Boards of the Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital and Destination Gippsland.
Tony has worked in Gippsland in the power generation industry for over 40 years. Born in Morwell and growing up on a dairy farm at Yinnar, he raised his family first in Traralgon before relocating to Warragul over 20 years ago.
He has completed the AICD Company Directors Course, graduated from the Australian Rural Leadership Program and Gippsland Community Leadership Program, completed a Graduate Certificate in Rural Leadership at James Cook University and spent time as Deputy Mayor at Baw Baw Shire. He has gained Board experience in the Education and Health sectors and is currently Vice Chair of the Gippsland Climate Change Network. Tony is also a volunteer Camp Leader caring for kids impacted by cancer with Camp Quality.
His passion is to see the region capitalise on the significant opportunities that are presenting as part of the energy transition away from fossil fuels.