Greater Sydney candidate information

Three (3) candidates are to be elected for the Greater Sydney local board.

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

Rushworth, Kara - Douglas Park

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

A strategic, finance and governance professional, with over 30years' experience in global financial markets, specialising in global commodities, horticultural and sustainability.  As well as Director in global risk management, Kara is a member of Agriminds,  a select group of senior specialists who evaluate trends, and issues of current agricultural industry importance plus is a member of Landcare NSW. With her unique blend of financial acumen and practical experience Kara is committed to continual improvement and focused on delivering lasting social and environmental value and leading transformative initiatives that pave the way for a brighter, greener future.  As a Director for National Australia Bank Ltd Trust Services Board and with four years on a non-profit Board focusing on Finance and Risk, Kara drives positive change in governance. She is passionate about making a difference in national capital management, agribusiness, a decarbonised economy and ensuring nature's wealth counts.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

Kara, a Graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, also holds membership and three professional certifications with the Australian Institute of Internal Auditors namely a Fellow Auditor, Audit Committee member and  Risk Management. She also holds post-graduate qualification in Strategic Leadership and Quality Assurance and Controls and an under-graduate qualification in Business majoring in Accounting; Marketing, and Corporations Law. Kara holds certificates in Landscape Design (Horticultural), Financial Markets, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competence, trauma-informed Capability. Additionally, she's a member of Professional Speakers Australia, Agribusiness Australia, and Women on Boards.

The candidate has experience in:

• Leadership, strategic planning and management
• Audit, financial control and reporting, and risk management
• Working with Aboriginal groups and communities

Additional information

Kara brings a deep commitment to driving positive change in natural capital management, agriculture, and ecosystem services, leveraging her extensive background. Residing on a rural property in the Greater Sydney Region, she adeptly balances profitability with the interests of the Board, management, and stakeholders, ensuring organisational integrity through effective governance. With vast experience in C-Suite and Board-level leadership, she excels in strategy formulation, stakeholder management, and overseeing Board committees to uphold principles of corporate governance. Kara specialises in change management, fostering a culture aligned with positive values, and actively contributes to strategic leadership, risk management, compliance, and performance management, ensuring continuous improvement and regulatory alignment.

Hooper, Sean - Jilliby

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

I am the owner of Iris Lodge Alpacas an Ecotourism certified business on the Central Coast. We currently run alpacas, sheep and cattle on our central coast farm. I have worked with LLS for many years to improve biodiversity on our farm through planting 13,000 trees, removing invasive plant species and feral animals. I have also developed biosecurity protocols on the farm in consultation with LLS. Volunteer experience includes RFS and SES.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

I am a Chartered Accountant and a qualified company director with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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
• Emergency management, especially biosecurity and natural disaster emergencies
• Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation
• Local government

De Abreu Lourenco, Richard - St Albans

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

I am co-owner for SouthGate Farm, a small (50 acre) holding in St Albans which produces beef (for market), and private apiary. We have been resident in the area since 2004 and over that time have been very active in bush and river regeneration projects in our area, participating in a number of Land Care grants. I have previously volunteered for Bush Care in the Southern Highlands. I am currently a Professor of Health Economics with the University of Technology Sydney, with a strong knowledge of the workings of Government. I am currently the lead for the Cancer Australia Cancer Research Economics Support Team - a unique in the world service focused on building capacity for health economics methods and data collection in cancer trials research.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

I hold a Phd in Health Economics (UTS, 2017), a Masters in Econs (Hons, USyD, 1997) and Bachelor of Econs (Hons, Murdoch, 1992). I am member of a number of professional societies (Australian Health Economics Society, International Health Economics Association, International Academy for Health Preference Research) and am currently on a number of academic/professional/voluntter advisory boards including for: Patient Voice Initiative;Cancer Australia Expert Advisory Group on the National Framework for Genomics in Cancer Control;Australian and New Zealand Consortium in Oncofertility (ANZCO) Clinical Trials Network, Oncofertility Guidelines Working Group;TROG Secondary Data Advisory Committee.

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

Given my knowledge and expertise of working with Government, coupled with hands on experience of running a small acre farm in the Greater Sydney LLS, I feel that I am well suited to serve on the LLS Board. This would allow me to bring to apply my knowledge of economics (and importantly how we make decisions in the face of finite resources) and experience in consultancy and building relationships with Government and Industry partners to issues facing land holders in the Greater Sydney LLS.

Connelly, James - Razorback

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

As Property Portfolio Asset Manager I hold a senior leadership role with a state owned corporation (water) that oversees land asset management responsibilities throughout Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains & Illawarra. These land interests are industrial, rural, fire prone and biodiverse natural landscapes. I have actively led land management programs that improve land condition, community engagement and the protection of sensitive landscapes (coastal, riparian, rural, bushland) across various LGA's. I oversee successful programs that demonstrate meaningful collaboration & engagement with Indigenous & Local communities to ensure land management practices are intelligent, sustainable & achieve desired outcomes for stakeholder groups whilst remaining commercially responsible & innovative

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

My tertiary qualifications are in Leadership & Management. I have undertaken further professional development in areas of project management, property and contract management, risk management, consulting, compliance and governance, emergency and incident management, trade practices and financial management. I also have human resources (coaching / high performance) knowledge and capabilities. I have over 25 years experience in management of land and building interests in various property, facilities and asset management roles. I retain membership of Australian Institute of Management (AIM), Facilities Management Association (FMA) and Project Management Institute (PMI).

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
• Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation
• Working with Aboriginal groups and communities

Additional information

Whilst I have professional experience that supports my application, I have also experienced land management practices in private settings as the authorised representative of a rural residential property development, as company director for a small pastoral initiative (cattle) and sought bio-banking registration to grazing and protected lands. I have experience in managing civil works, vegetation and pest control in both professional and private settings. I have significant risk management experience to ensure no avoidable harm occurs to cultural heritage interests or delicate ecosystems on land or in waterways. Additionally, I have a sound work history of leading teams to optimise safety and protection of assets and reputation as they undertake programs of work.

Read, Malcolm - Mount Victoria

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

Coming into the 10th year Malcolm has lived in the Blue Mountains on a large property that he has transformed from a grazing property to a natural wetland area, protecting it for the future with a perpetual conservation agreement. His background in business management includes strong leadership, strategic and financial planning, and management skills across a range of industries. He is passionate about the protection of natural environment for perpetuity. That includes improving biodiversity of native plants and animals, soil quality, whilst controlling erosion, feral and weeds, balanced with the food production needs by primary producers.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

Business Management - Macquarie University * Marketing Management - Charles Stuart University * Trade – Electrical / Instrumentation 30 Years in large business management. includes management of sales, OPEX and EBIT. Includes public company with regular audits for finance, risk, multimillion dollar contract review. I have worked in industries including food and beverage where I understand the need for primary producer quality control, source traceability of product. I had my property burned by bushfire where I lost multiple houses. I have had floods that have caused massive erosion issues. I understand many of the issues for land owners and strategies for emergency planning and response needs. I have transformed from a grazing property to a natural wetland area. Personal experience include weed and pest control, revegetation, water retention, erosion control, habitat creation. I believe I have increased biodiversity and numbers of native plants and animals.

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
• Contemporary biosecurity programs in animal and/or plant health, pest and weed management
• Emergency management, especially biosecurity and natural disaster emergencies
• Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation
• Working with Aboriginal groups and communities
• Local government

Additional information

I believe the GS LLS current board is missing a person such as myself that has real world expertise to complement the existing team and expertise to influence the community to take actions that protect and enhance the environment. My achievement in restoring a pasture into a wetland demonstrates what is possible. Having a person such as myself on the board can assist to strengthen and speed actions that manage or address threats degrading local environments, or that assist in recovery following disturbance. I believe with time I can assist to influence people, land owners, land holders, Councils, business to see the need to protect biodiversity assets and to assist LLS to implement the Strategic plan and improve the condition of bushland, waterways and coastal ecosystems on a landscape scale approach.

Sultana, John - Maraylya

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

Sydney Water major and minor works constructor Licenced plumber, drainer, gas fitter, pipelayer, excavation and siteworks specialist. Business owner since 1994.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

Sydney water accredited - including Flow isolation/Flow management (FIFM) Member NSW Master Plumbers & Mechanical Contractors Association Qualified plumber, drainer, gas fitter, excavator operator Company is QMS ISO 9001:2015 certifies

The candidate has experience in:

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

Staines, Joshua - Toukley

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

I have served in a vlonuteer capacity on the boards of: Reconciliation NSW, Sustainable Table, Black Duck Foods and Gunawirra. I've had experience as Chairperson, Secretary and Board Member. Accomplished Senior Policy Officer in Local Government, a dedicated Director at Black Duck Foods, and an influential Board Member of Reconciliation NSW and Sustainable Table. With immense pride in my Wiradjuri heritage, and lucky to be working on Darug country in Western Sydney. I invest considerable time into mentoring Aboriginal youth. I value on country experiences, facilitating opportunities for growth, and supporting elders in land management and bush regeneration projects. As a firm advocate for shared decision-making, co-design, and Aboriginal Economic Development, I strive to create a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

I've completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) coures as part of the emerging industries cohort, representing the Native Grain Industry. I'm currently a board member at Reconciliation NSW, Sustainable Table and Black Duck Foods. I have three diplomas in business management, community services and business leadership. I have an adavanced diploma in business management and leadership. A bachelor degree in business and will conclude my Masters of Business Management in 2024.

The candidate has experience in:

• Leadership, strategic planning and management
• Community participation, regional service delivery and working with industry, government and other partners
• Contemporary biosecurity programs in animal and/or plant health, pest and weed management
• Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation
• Working with Aboriginal groups and communities
• Local government

Additional information

I've had the opportuntiy to gain some valuable experiences and insights as board member of a number of organisations. In a board environment, I value a diverse group that can work collegially together to progress our organisation and community. I've been lucky to lead local, state and national engagements and look forward to opportunities to socialise the work of GSLLS with our community, and most importantly bring out community into the decision making processes.

Smith, Johnny (JP) - Epping

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

Community involvement - In 2023, I volunteered to live and work in Northeast Arnhem Land for 6 weeks. I lived and worked in Yolngu country to learn about the culture and needs of the community with a focus on health and community wellbeing. Employment experience – I’m a supply chain leader working in an agriculture role for PepsiCo – ANZ. In my role, I manage all aspects of contracting and growing potatoes with a focus on Biodiversity, Soil Health, Crop Rotation, and (IPDM) Integrated Pest and Disease management.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

Kaizen Leader – I have used continuous improvement processes to guide and facilitate improvements across the PepsiCo – ANZ agronomy value chain. These improvements have led to cost, quality, service improvements, and people empowerment. ESH Rish & Safety Leadership – I have led initiatives fostering a safety culture and environmental stewardship within the organization. This has allowed sharing of best practices from global and domestic farming practices. Justice of the Peace – Being a JP has allowed me the opportunity to support my local community by being a witness to persons making a statutory declaration or affidavit and certifying copies of original documents.

The candidate has experience in:

• Leadership, strategic planning and management
• Audit, financial control and reporting, and risk management
• Primary industries or providing services to support this sector
• Contemporary biosecurity programs in animal and/or plant health, pest and weed management
• Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation
• Working with Aboriginal groups and communities

Additional information

I would bring to the LLS role agriculture production and supply chain experience. I'm currently the Agronomy lead for Southern Australia working with growers across NSW, VIC, and SA with a focus on supply management, biodiversity, soil health, and crop rotations. My experience in agriculture production and supply chain management equips me with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by farmers and agricultural businesses. This knowledge can be invaluable when advising on cases related to land use, environmental regulations, agricultural disputes, and rural community issues. My focus on supply management and sustainability aligns with broader societal concerns about environmental protection and resource management.

Smith, Linda - Kurrajong

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE More than 20 years professional experience in Australia and overseas in a variety of sectors including agriculture and agribusiness. Specialising in: * stakeholder relations and management (government, corporate, not-for-profit and community); * marketing and communications including issues management; * community consultation; and * provision of policy advice (to committees and boards). Owner Manager – cattle and horse property in the Hawkesbury. Committed to ethical and sustainable production, natural resource management and biosecurity programs. Regenerative and holistic farming and land management practices are employed on a daily basis. VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Equestrian NSW Committee Member Official Horse Section Steward – Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Honorary Vice-President, Sydney University Athletics Club

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS Master of Commerce (International Business with Marketing and Government Relations) with Distinction, The University of Sydney Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (Honours), The University of Sydney

The candidate has experience in:

• Leadership, strategic planning and management
• Community participation, regional service delivery and working with industry, government and other partners
• Primary industries or providing services to support this sector
• Contemporary biosecurity programs in animal and/or plant health, pest and weed management
• Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation
• Local government

Additional information

I am passionate about Australian agriculture and on an intra-daily basis, demonstrate a commitment to ethical and sustainable primary production, and land and resource management on a cattle and horse property I own and manage in the Hawkesbury. My extensive industry experience has been gained from senior roles held in Australia and overseas in agriculture, government, sport, education and infrastructure. I am keen to contribute my relevant knowledge and skills (encompassing stakeholder relations, marketing and communications, issues management, public relations, and project management, workforce training and leadership) to the Greater Sydney LLS Board and champion the needs of local landholders.

Rowe, Simon - Greenwich

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

Operations Manager for OceanWatch Australia, responsible for building, delivering, and reporting on projects that improve productivity and environmental practices, introduce innovations, change behaviors and restore marine habitats. I worked as Sydney’s Landcare Facilitator for 5 years and got to know well the parts and people of Sydney producing food, fibre and livestock. I volunteer in the NSW Rural Fire Service, as a committee member of Greater Sydney Landcare and relentlessly on a strata committee. Small business in Horticulture, grow lambs, love vegetable gardening and retain contacts in a wide field of related services that the LLS delivers.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Urban Horticulture. SafeWork NSW Mentoring Program. National Seafood Industry Leadership Program. Internal auditing certificate. Member of the NSW Rural Fire Service. Committee Member of Greater Sydney Landcare. Deputy Chair of the Fullerton Hadley Landcare Group. Past Deputy Chair of the NSW Fish Habitat partnership. Past Greater Sydney LLS Community Advisory Group. Past member Georges River Combined Council Committee. Past member The Lower Hawkesbury Estuary Management Committee. Past Secretariat for the Australian culvert research and development initiative. Past secretariat for the NRM National Marine Expert Advisory Group.

The candidate has experience in:

• Leadership, strategic planning and management
• Community participation, regional service delivery and working with industry, government and other partners
• Primary industries or providing services to support this sector
• Contemporary biosecurity programs in animal and/or plant health, pest and weed management
• Emergency management, especially biosecurity and natural disaster emergencies
• Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation
• Working with Aboriginal groups and communities

Additional information

I seek to represent your interests on the board by ensuring I stay connected to the needs and challenges of our Sydney region. I will bring a balanced, enthusiastic perspective and remain accountable to responsibilities. I seek to match the needs of our local ratepayer and ensure an environment where politics and policy assist, not hinder landholder success and harmony in a healthy catchment.