Diversity focus for committee
Nearly a quarter of the new committee which overseas regional development across the entire Murray region are from Deniliquin.
It is the strongest ever local representation on the committee and includes its chair, Perin Davey.
It includes three who are based in Deniliquin and working in various roles within the wider community.
Also on the new Regional Development Australia – Murray committee of 11 are Edward River Council general manager Adam McSwain and Deniliquin resident and Committee for Echuca Moama CEO Nina O’Brien.
‘‘It’s really exciting to see people from Deniliquin now putting their hands up,’’ Ms Davey said.
‘‘The committee consists not only of more people from the local area, but committee members from across our footprint.
‘‘It was important for me, when looking at representation, to make sure we have the whole area covered.
‘‘Selection was skills based first and foremost, but there was also diversity of gender and regional diversity.
‘‘There was a broad range of applications and when we looked at the skills we needed it was great to see we have those skills in Deniliquin that also benefit the winder geographical needs.’’
The recently elected board met for the first time on November 21 after a recruitment process.
Remaining on the board are deputy chair Brian Miller, as well as Alex Anthony who is a director of TAFE NSW Riverina Institute and works for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
Members of the new committee have been recruited using a skills-based approach with representation from the financial, economic, manufacturing, social, business development and local government sectors, as well as achieving gender balance and a broad geographic spread.
In addition to Mr McSwain and Ms O’Brien, other newly elected members are:
■ Interim deputy chair Leigh Byron, Mayor of Balranald Shire Council and owner of Life Power financial services.
■ Andrew de Graaff, Hume Bank chief customer officer.
■ Belinda Anderson, Henty Machinery Field Days CEO.
■ Frank Zaknich, Albury City Council general manager
■ Geoff Lowe, managing director of Proven Products Pty Ltd
■ Mary Hoodless, organisational development consultant and director of a progressive Angus beef enterprise
The first committee meeting highlighted opportunities and challenges from across the region and formed its directional foundation for the coming three year term.