The Board of Management
The Board of Management is the governing body of the GSDC and meets regularly to set major policy directions including budgets, major expenditure approvals and advice to the Minister on regional matters.
The three categories for the Board Membership are:
- Community nominations (three persons)
- Local Government nominations (three persons)
- Ministerial nominations (three persons)
Board members are confirmed by the Minister for Regional Development with a term ranging between one and three years.
Board members are chosen on the basis of ability at an executive level, a demonstrated involvement in either the economic or social development of the region, and the ability to work co-operatively to achieve agreed goals across a wide range of social and economic issues.
Individuals or organisations may nominate people for the GSDC Board. People nominated as prospective community members should possess interest and knowledge relevant to regional communities. Relevant fields of involvement could include business and industry; employment, education and training; tourism and recreation.
The Board
Chairman: Peter Rundle
Mr Rundle is a farmer and businessman who lives in Katanning. He has had extensive involvement with the Katanning community through a number of roles with sporting and educational organisations. As well as farming, he is currently a Board member of AQ2 Aquaflow. Mr Rundle's Board term expiry date is 30 June 2011.
Deputy Chairman: Kim Barrow
Mr Barrow is a Denmark Shire Councillor and a former President of the Shire. He has been actively involved in a wide range of community organisations including sporting clubs, fire brigade, schools and the Denmark Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mr Barrow's Board term expiry date is 30 June 2011.
Cathy Crosby
Mrs Crosby is President of the Shire of Kent. She has held roles on a number of regional committees including bushfire, roads, employment, planning, agriculture and sport. She has a background in retail and farm management. Mrs Crosby’s Board term expiry date is 30 June 2011.
Robert Lucas
Mr Lucas manages the historic Camp Quaranup recreational facility and is the proprietor of a local mussel and abalone farm. He is a member of several industry and community groups, and is the President of the Great Southern Aquaculture Association. Mr Lucas’ Board term expiry date is 30 June 2010.
Kerry Stone
Mrs Stone is President of the Shire of Gnowangerup. She has held roles on a number of shire committees including health and building, finance, industrial relations, and tourism. She has a background in farm management. Mrs Stone’s Board term expiry date is 30 June 2010.
Kevin Forbes AM
Mr Forbes is a beef farmer and long-time resident of the Mount Barker district. He has had a long involvement in local government, having been first elected as a Councillor in 1991 and having served as President of the Shire of Plantagenet from 1997 to 2009. Mr Forbes' Board term expiry date is 30 June 2012.
Len Smith
Mr Smith has lived and worked in the Great Southern region for more than 40 years. His long term business interests in the tourism sector have been complemented by decades of voluntary work in the broader tourism industry and the community. He is currently Chairman of Regional Development Australia - Great Southern, the Commonwealth`s local regional development body. Mr Smith`s Board term expiry date is 30 June 2012.
Bruce Manning
Bruce Manning is the Chief Executive Officer of the Great Southern Development Commission and an ex-officio member of the Board. His regional development experience includes five years as the Regional Manager for WA TAFE in the Great Southern region and five years as Executive Officer of the Southern Province Projects Group. He has won several regional development awards, the most recent being the Australia and New Zealand Regional Science Association's Practitioners Award for 2000.
