South West Development Commission

Extract from www.swdc.wa.gov.au

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Board of Management

The South West Development Commission Board is the governing body responsible to the South West Minister for the setting the direction of the Commission.

It has 10 members selected from community and local government nominations, ministerial appointments and the Commission's Chief Executive Officer.

The Chairman and Deputy Chairman are appointed by the Minister.

Board members are appointed for one, two or three year terms.

The Board makes decisions on the strategic direction and priorities of the Commission.

Primary activities include:

• Setting the overall strategic direction and goals of the Commission
• Providing guidance on specific projects and initiatives
• Formulating Commission policy
• Reviewing progress at regular intervals to ensure established goals are being achieved
• Monitoring Commission expenditure
• Promoting economic development
• Representing the Commission at relevant meetings and functions
• Providing a conduit between the Commission and the community
• Facilitating cooperation between organisations in the region

Please direct enquiries to Colette Fitzgerald, Executive Officer.

Mr Stan Liaros Chairman Stan Liaros is general manager of Group Training South West Inc, and currently sits on the board of AQWEST (the Bunbury Water Board). Stan has served as secretary, delegate and organiser with the Australian Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union and with the firefighters and ambulance officers unions. A community-minded family man, Stan is involved in several regional chambers of commerce. His company supports local football, hockey, cricket and surf lifesaving organisations.

Cr Peter Monagle Deputy Chairman Harvey Shire Council President Peter Monagle has been a shire councillor since 1996. Peter is also a member of the South West Region Planning Committee and the Greater Bunbury Regional Planning Committee. Previously, Peter was a Commonwealth public servant, head teacher in Papua New Guinea and a local retailer. Peter has extensive and varied business experience, he founded and operated several businesses in the South West and is currently a business administrator residing at Roelands. With 25 years involvement in his community, including the creation of the Brunswick Community Channel Park, Peter is enthusiastic about community and economic development in the South West.

Mr Nick Oaks Nicholas Oaks is a commissioner with the Forest Products Commission. He is currently a councillor and former president of the Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire Council and is a board member of the Forest Heritage Centre that manages the Australian School of Fine Wood. Nick has a practical interest in employment and training issues and their impacts on regional economic and community development.

Mr Don Punch Chief Executive Officer Chief executive officer of the South West Development Commission, Don Punch has extensive experience working throughout regional Western Australia for the Western Australian public service. Don has undertaken a variety of roles including working in regional and remote communities on the provision of infrastructure, identification and funding of community needs, and project management. Don is also a member of the Governing Council of the South West Regional College of TAFE.

Cr Stephen Harrison Small business owner and Augusta-Margaret River Shire President, Cr Stephen Harrison, is part owner of retail outlets in Margaret River and Fremantle and is former president of the Margaret River Chamber of Commerce. He commenced his career as a science and biology teacher in the UK, later working as an education policy adviser in the UK national government which included national research into effective teaching and learning. He lives in Witchcliffe and as well as a business owner he offers consultancy services in web-based and multi-media education resource development in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the UK.

Mr David Trench David Trench is an active contributor to the Bunbury business community and is currently deputy chairman of the Bunbury-Wellington Economic Alliance and immediate past president of the Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries. David is Asia Pacific regional director of Bristol Babcock and has a military background having served five years in the 10th Light Horse Regiment. David sits on two business committees advising the Bunbury City Council, is a board member of ECU advisory board and board member of the Val Lishman Foundation. He also works as a marketing consultant to a Bunbury-based real estate firm.

Ms Posy Barnes Posy Barnes has a masters of business administration and is chief executive officer of Jobs South West Inc. in Bunbury. Prior to this Posy managed the State’s second largest training provider, SMYL Community Services. She has a strong background in management, public relations and marketing and has worked extensively throughout Western Australia and in London. Posy brings a wealth of experience to the Commission in employment and training matters.

Cr Margaret Smith Margaret Smith is a long serving Capel councillor with a distinguished history of community service.  A retired trained nurse, she has been involved in a range of community organisations, such as the Girl Guide Association, Bunbury Alzheimer’s Association, Gelorup Community Management Committee and a number of shire-related committees. Mrs Smith’s hard work has been recognised with a number of prestigious awards, such as South West Woman of the Year, WA Local Government Meritorious and Distinguished Service Awards, an Order of Australia Medal and an International Volunteers award.

Cr John Borlini John Borlini is presently the deputy president of the Collie Shire Council, with a long history of involvement in the town and the South West. Mr Borlini was an industry advisor to the South West Development Authority in the 1980s, was involved in the Collie Tourism Townscape and Promotion committee, is presently chairperson of the Disability Services Committee and is also involved in a number of other council committees. Mr Borlini has served on the Collie Coal Mineworkers Welfare Board since 1984.

Mrs Patricia Hughes Gelorup resident Patricia Hughes has a history of community involvement stemming from a lifetime association with farming and living in rural areas. She is currently involved in numerous agricultural groups. A teacher for 26 years, she has also been involved with schools in a voluntary capacity including as a scripture teacher.