Central West candidate information

Three (3) candidates are to be elected for the Central West local board.

Please note, candidate information is unedited and has been published as they were received.

Todd, Michael - Forbes

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

I am currently employed by Forbes Shire Council. My duties include: Emergency management duties as the alternate Local Emergency Management Officer. Assessment of National Heavy Vehicles Regulator (NHVR) permits. Management of safety, quality and environmental issues involved in the construction of roads. Grant management. Contact management. In the past, I have worked for NSW Public Works and, prior to that, a local farmhand.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

I possess a Diploma of Engineering Studies from Charles Sturt University. Other qualifications include: General Construction Induction (White Card), 10675NAT Course in Asbestos Awareness, 10559NAT Course in Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Remote Pilot Licence (RePL), Aeronautical Radio Operators Certificate (AROC), Prepare Work Zone Traffic Control Plans, HLTAID011 Provide First Aid Provide Basic, HLTAID010 Emergency Life Support, HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Conduct Road Safety Audits.

The candidate has experience in:

• Leadership, strategic planning and management
• Community participation, regional service delivery and working with industry, government and other partners
• Audit, financial control and reporting, and risk management
• Emergency management, especially biosecurity and natural disaster emergencies
• Local government

Additional information

If elected to the board I endeavor to represent the interests of local landholders. I will do my best to ensure that Local Land Services supports, and does not suppress, local farmers. My wife and I have recently taken up beekeeping and I am eager to see New South Wales' Bee industry restored.

Craft, Rae - Elong Elong

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

I have been a member of the local farming community for 50 years and the last 5 years have been on an Advisory Group for rural issues. During this time I also worked 22 years in strategic planning in the Rural Sector and farming enterprise. I am very passionate about the future of the Family Farm and its importance to the health and welfare of the nation. I am actively involved in the local community, pursuing funding sources to improve the services that are available and also searching for new investment opportunities to provide services to benefit the whole of the community. I have volunteered in many community roles including the Rural Fire Service and the running of the local Public Hall.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

I am a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and have held a Board position for the last 26 years. This Board is heavily involved in the rural advisory field and the small business sector. I was a member of the Local Land Services Community Advisory Group for over 5 years providing a liaison between the LLS and the landholders around my area. I have also been an active partner in a farming business for 43 years. I also hold a Trustee position for the Elong Elong Public Hall.

The candidate has experience in:

• Leadership, strategic planning and management
• Community participation, regional service delivery and working with industry, government and other partners
• Audit, financial control and reporting, and risk management
• Primary industries or providing services to support this sector

Additional information

During my work with the Community Advisory Group I forged strong connections with both the Local Land Services and my local community which would be of great benefit to a role on the Local Land Service Board. The experience that I have gained in my years of working as a Board Director has enabled me to deepen my knowledge of the requirements for an effective operational or advisory Board. I am conscious of the importance of the relationship between the LLS and the farming community and feel that I can offer a grassroots view that would be very valuable to the Central West Local Land Service.

Stokes, Elise - Forbes

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

Grew up and still currently at times work on the family farm involved helping with sheep work, cropping, and hay production. Volunteer Youth Leader in a Church for many years -Administrator of disability service. Administrator of a drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation centre. Volunteer Young Adults Leader in a Church mentoring them in life skills. Administration Officer at Goulburn Murray Water Victoria mostly dealing with farmers water licences applications and approvals. Owned and operated a building business for many years. Presently casually work for the Department of Education running playgroup for young mums at Forbes North Primary School.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

Certificate IV in Financial Services (Accounting), Diploma of Counselling Prepare/Enrich Marriage Facilitator, International Coaching Federation Results Coach, Presently halfway through studying a Bachelor of Counselling.

The candidate has experience in:

• Leadership, strategic planning and management
• Community participation, regional service delivery and working with industry, government and other partners
• Audit, financial control and reporting, and risk management
• Primary industries or providing services to support this sector
• Local government

Additional information

One of my greatest joys is to see rural communities come together in unity. The greatest strengths I can bring to the farming community is my ability to build rapport quickly with people, being a listening ear, understanding their needs, and being available. To make great decisions for our farming sector, I feel we must make balanced decisions that are sustainable for the short and long-term future of farming. A key part of this comes down to excellent problem solving. I am passionate about farmers and the crucial part they play in making our nation great!

Hooper, Nina - Forbes

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

I have a long history of working in State government roles in farm planning, catchment management, Landcare, communications, environmental education and formerly as a team leader in Local Land Services, managing natural resource management and ag advisory staff across the Central West Region and as a part of the leadership team. I have worked in a local government manager role for more than 7 years specialising in Community development, communications, community recovery, events and tourism and am strongly connected locally. I volunteered for Landcare for many years - and Pony Club for a few too - and have farming heritage that goes back many generations. Above all I'm a passionate advocate of family farming and keen to use my skills to promote sustainable agriculture to young people and to really listen to the needs of farm families.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

Bachelor of Applied Science Diploma of Business in Frontline Management

The candidate has experience in:

• Leadership, strategic planning and management
• Community participation, regional service delivery and working with industry, government and other partners
• Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation
• Local government

Additional information

I'm a mother of two - with my son forging a career in the livestock industry and my daughter looking also to study agriculture and animal science, so I keenly feel how important it is for the furthering of sustainable agriculture to involve young people. I feel also that we need to form creative partnerships to achieve real change and to support land managers to manage their land sustainably. Engaging all types of land managers and stakeholders is needed for this to occur. I'm a great listener with a strong sense of equity and inclusion and a fierce community advocate.