North West candidate information

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

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

Lomax, Mike - Werris Creek

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

EMPLOYMENT: March 1972 to September 2014. Served in the International Energy Sector. September 2014 to present. Owner Operator Yandilla Partnership.In September 2014 I returned from an overseas assignment after retiring from the Energy sector, after 42 years in various international locations, to manage a commercial beef enterprise which I had invested in over the previous 40+ years. December 2019 to present Board of Directors for Quirindi Care Services acting in the capacity of Chair from October 2021 to present. A volunteer position until October 2023 when members approved compensation for Directors at the AGM. I currently serve on the Board for Quirindi Care Services, the financial committee of Saint Brigids Church (Quirindi), and the Werris Creek Coal Community Consultative Committee. I have previously served on the Werris Creek Local Advisory Group set up by our LGA to represent the community. All positions voluntary to November 2023.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

My key attributes include developing passion for the sectors I have chosen to provide a service to. The ability to communicate at all levels from grassroots employees to all levels of Government. I am a strong advocate of team building to achieve optimum performance in OH and S, environmental sustainability and operational efficiency. I have a sound understanding of Financial principles and accounting standards gained though developing budgets and managing costs with international companies. I am computer literate in most management, accounting and communication software. I have extensive experience with project management working on several multi million USD construction projects around the world. EDUCATION: Higher School Certificate 1971, Quirindi High Courses Attended: Accident Investigation, Building Better Teams, Financial Skills For Managers, Emergency Management Response, Duties and Responsibilities of the NFP, Director by AICD, Strategy and Risk for the NFP Director

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

My objective is to continue to serve industry and the community, outside my role as an owner operator of an agricultural enterprise, to provide governance in Aged Care and the Agricultural Sectors.

Collins, Rebecca - Bangheet

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

My husband and I run a small beef enterprise in the Bingara area. I am also a Management Accountant working from home. This allows me to have the best of both the business world and the agricultural industry. I volunteer my time as the Secretary for the Yetman Campdraft Association and have sat on the St Mary's Goondiwindi School Board for 3 years while my sons were at school. I believe in supporting local businesses and committees to ensure our regions remain healthy and viable.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

I have a degree in Bachelor of Agricultural Economics and a Masters in Professional Accounting, both from UNE Armidale. My husband and I were participants in the NSW DPI Farm Business Resilience Program in 2022 and we are current members of the NSW Farmers Association.

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

Readon, Vera - Warialda

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

Worked in Accounting and Taxation, for 27 years. Client base predominantly Primary Producers. Lots of experience filling in grant applications for farmers during the drought. Treasure if lots of community committees, Warialda Preschool, Warialda Primary School P & C, Warialda Pony Club. Member of Naroo Aged Care Fundraising Committee Passionate about maintaining a Local Lands Service in the North West Region.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

Bachelor of Financial Administration Completed the Drought Resilience Course through The Australian Rural Leadership Programme. Registered Tax Agent.

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

Living on the land, gives me an insight to the daily struggles landholders have with Controlling feral animals and weeds. Maintaining good water ways, and the control of noxious weeds is very important Looking to further my knowledge in this area.

Hart, Michael - Bendemeer

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

Extensive experience in State and Federal Government organisations, legal and administrative. Extensive experience in organisational review and management. Management experience in complaint management and resolution. Extensive experience in rural and regional Australia, NSW, WA and Queensland in policy implementation and evaluation relating to Border Security programs. My experience includes junior and senior roles up to Senior Executive Service level. I have been involved with Complaint Management, Ethics and Accountability and legal issue in public administration at the NSW ICAC and with the Federal Government at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Substantive experience of living and working on Northern Tablelands Grazing property including repair, regeneration and restoration of woodlands, pastures and riparian vegetation. Good understand and passion for flora, fauna and horticulture. This experience and ability would be relevant and make a good contribution.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

Bachelor Degree (Economics) Post Graduate Quantitative Economics programs. Intelligence and Analysis Courses Professional Management and Development Training Senior Executive Service. Hold Professional Pilots License, Rating and all relevant certificates, to instruct, test and train. (RAAF and CASA). Certified Mediator (ICAC) Cert IV Training Accreditation. Various computer systems and Languages.

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

Worked and lived in rural and regional Australia extensively. Involved in liaising with and reporting to and on regional and federal issues including investigation and reporting on ethical and other critical matters relating to public administration and activity. Experience in working with Boards and other Representative Bodies, private and government. Solid high level and executive level management experience. Hands on and relevant experience with land management, control and care including biosecurity risks, invasive species and repair, regeneration and rehabilitation of a grazing property in the New England Area. Developed a solid and interested knowledge of issues relating to land management, agriculture and horticulure.

Chaplain, Christopher - Burren Junction

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

I have had varied experiences over my career. I have always been involved in the cattle industry, growing up on a cattle station near Cloncurry, North West Queensland. Currently I am running an agribusiness operation in North West NSW, involving both grazing and dry land farming. I also have qualifications in Radio Communications and previously worked across Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia as a technician. I have also previously worked in the Mining industry. I have always been passionate about community and have volunteered in a variety of community committees, including horse racing committee (vice president) and show committee in Cloncurry and more recently apart of the Spring Plains Ball committee raising funds for Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

I have qualifications in Radio Communications and previously worked across Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia as a technician.

The candidate has experience in:

• Leadership, strategic planning and management
• Primary industries or providing services to support this sector
• Working with Aboriginal groups and communities

Additional information

I am passionate about the rural livestock industry and would like to be apart of making the industry more sustainable.

Hoddle, Charlotte - Gunnedah

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

I have extensive experience managing committees and community organisations in my former roles Gunnedah Shire Council as Manager Economic Development and Manager of Corporate and Community Services. I bring a robust background in governance principles and collaborative leadership. My roles overseeing economic development, business programs, and community scholarships have honed my ability to navigate complex organisational dynamics. As President of the Namoi Horse Association and Showjumping Convenor at the Gunnedah Show Society, I've fostered strong community ties and demonstrated commitment to organisational success. I have recently been appointed as Committee Member of Regional Development Australia Northern Inland.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

I hold Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in International Economy and Business Economics. I am a grower member of Citrus Australia I am a member of Women on Boards.

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
• Emergency management, especially biosecurity and natural disaster emergencies
• Working with Aboriginal groups and communities
• Local government

Additional information

In my roles at Gunnedah Shire I was extensively involved in Community Consultation of and managing committees aligning with the objectives outlined in the LLS State Strategic Plan 2020-2030. I am passionate about fostering resilient communities, promoting growth in primary industries, and engaging with stakeholders. I have extensive expertise in governance principles and collaborative leadership will be invaluable in addressing environmental threats and ensuring disaster preparedness. As Manager Corporate and Community Services I was extremely involved in the devastating floods including managing the communications in the lead-up, during and in the aftermath as part of the building the recovery strategy. My knowledge and connections with the wider North West make my excited about the opportunity of joining the LLS as a board member.

Cockbain, Jocelyn - Tintinhull

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

Experienced professional with broad expertise in State and Local Government, non-profits, and NGOs. Specialties include: Town Planning, Business Development and Attraction, Governance (including other Boards ie. Tamworth Business Chamber), Stakeholder and Community Engagement (including Aboriginal Communities)

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

Bach. Urban and Regional Planning - UNE, NSW. Post. Grad. Cert Public Policy (Ecologically Sustainable Development) - Murdoch, WA. Currently undertaking Post Grad. Cert International and Community Development - Deakin, VIC.

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

Additional information

Originally from Armidale, now thriving in Tamworth since 2011. Committed to strengthening Regional NSW. Eagar to collaborate and have a positive impact with a can-do attitude. Passionate about heavy horses and rural living.