Speakers

The Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP

Treasurer of Australia 

Dr Jim Chalmers is the Treasurer of Australia.

He has been the Member for Rankin in the House of Representatives since 2013, proudly representing the people and suburbs of southern Brisbane and Logan City where he was born, grew up and made a home with Laura, Leo, Annabel, and Jack.

He first joined the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Finance from 2016 to 2019. From 2015 to 2016 he was Shadow Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, Shadow Minister for Sport and Shadow Assistant Minister for Trade, Investment and Productivity. He was also Shadow Assistant Minister for Resources in 2016 after a stint as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, and for Trade and Investment.

Before Jim’s election to Parliament, he was the Executive Director of the Chifley Research Centre and prior to that, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer.

He has a PhD in political science and international relations and a first class honours degree in public policy, and is a qualified company director.

Jim is also a member of the Griffith University Logan Campus Development Advisory Group; the Griffith University School of Government and International Relations Advisory Board, and the Board of Advisors at the Centre for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies at Georgetown University in Washington DC.

Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm

Assistant Minister for Education and Assistant Minister for Regional Development

Anthony grew up on the north side of Brisbane attending Wavell State High School and went to Griffith University earning a Bachelor of Arts. Whilst doing this and throughout his working life, Anthony has maintained strong community involvement through his work with charities from his local community on the north side of Brisbane.

Anthony was elected to the Senate in 2016, and is committed to providing a strong Labor voice for working people throughout the state.

In a big, decentralised state like Queensland, Anthony is passionate about ensuring that affordable healthcare and a quality education is available to all people in Queensland, no matter where they live.

Anthony is also focused on fighting for regional Queensland, as he believes that the conservatives have taken them for granted for far too long.

Tim Fairfax AC

Chairman – Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal

Mr Tim Fairfax AC is a Company Director, Pastoralist and Philanthropist.

Throughout his life Tim has served in a variety of roles with a wide range of organisations and presently he is Chairman of the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal. He is the Director and past Chairman of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, Director of Australian Philanthropic Services and Ningana Giving Pty Limited.

Tim is the President of the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation, and a member of the National Portrait Gallery Foundation, National Gallery of Australia Foundation and Australian Schools Plus.

Tim was Chancellor of Queensland University of Technology from 2012 to 2019.

He is Patron of the AMAQ Foundation, the University of the Sunshine Coast Foundation, the Flying Arts Alliance Incorporated, the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, Actors' & Entertainers' Benevolent Fund (Qld) Inc and Legacy Brisbane Bring it Home Capital Campaign.

Tim is an advocate for philanthropy and a major supporter of the visual arts. He is passionate about supporting rural, remote and regional communities, particularly students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Tim has a range of business interests which includes operating nine rural properties in Queensland and New South Wales involving beef cattle, fine wool and grain.

In 2014 Tim was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for his eminent services to business and the community and in 2016 he became Queensland Senior Australian of the Year. In 2021 Tim was awarded the Leading Philanthropist Award and also the Philanthropy Australia Life Member award.

Dr Chris Sarra

Director-General – Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Dr Chris Sarra is a Gurang Gurang/Taribelang man from Bundaberg.

Dr Sarra became Director-General for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in my 2023. His strong and positive sense of culture and identity is leading DAF’s continued commitment to working within diverse environments and industries across both land and sea.

Dr Sarra brings a wealth of experience working in complex, economic, scientific and social contexts. His experience as Director-General of the Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, from 2018–2023, demonstrated incredible things can be achieved through partnerships and in the spirit of helping each other succeed.

Associate Professor Ben Lyons

Centre Director – The Rural Economies Centre of Excellence, UniSQ

Ben Lyons is the Director at the Rural Economies Centre of Excellence based at UniSQ in Toowoomba.

Ben has worked extensively in Asia for the past 20 years, specifically in the agribusiness, textiles, research and education management sectors for The Financial Times (UK), The Woolmark Company, and the University of Queensland (UQ).

In 2015 Ben returned to Australia as the CEO at Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) - a leading, membership-based regional economic development agency, and during his tenure saw the region achieve a weekly freight route to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific, Australia’s first Ag Tech and investment forum – 400M, and the first international passenger flight from a regional airport to Shanghai, China.  Ben is fluent in Mandarin and has a PhD in agricultural economics and first-class honours in Chinese literature, all from UQ.

Cr Tony Rayner

Mayor – Longreach Regional Council, Chair of RAPAD and WQAC Leadership Group Member

Cr Rayner is a proud Longreach local having completed his primary and secondary education in Longreach before completing his tertiary qualifications at the University of Queensland (Queensland Agricultural College).

He was elected Mayor in the 2020 local government elections after serving the previous four-year term as a Councillor on Longreach Regional Council.

Six years prior he was the Chief Executive Officer of RAPAD Employment Services Queensland (RESQ).

He has a career spanning 30 years as a senior executive within the Queensland Government including roles such as Executive Director for the Australian Agricultural Colleges, Assistant Director-General Department Primary Industries, Executive Director Employment and Economic Development, and Regional Director.

Councillor Rayner was elected as Chair of the Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) following his Mayoral appointment and is also a Board Director for RESQ.

Mayor Rayner is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Justice of the Peace (Qualified), a Graduate of the Experiential Leadership Development Program, and has completed tertiary qualifications and numerous professional development programs. He has served as a director on various boards and management committees such as Queensland Agricultural Colleges, Rural Lands Advisory Council, multiple Natural Resource Management Committees, and is a regular panel member for State Government bodies.

His experience also encompasses a comprehensive understanding of disaster relief operations; having coordinated some of the biggest flood relief and recovery programs in regional Queensland over a wide range of state-wide disasters.

Mayor Rayner’s passion is for regional communities, good governance, youth development, sound natural resource management, and the economic growth of rural and regional communities. Mayor Rayner is a strong and passionate advocate for buying local and supporting local businesses to grow and develop.

Alison Smith

CEO - Local Government Association of Queensland

As CEO, Alison is responsible for leading a diverse team of professionals at the LGAQ, which is the peak body for local government across Queensland. The LGAQ has been advising, supporting and representing local councils since 1896, enabling them to improve their operations and strengthen relationships with their communities.

Between 2007-2020, Alison has worked with ASX-100 companies, heading their corporate affairs functions. Alison was Group Executive External Affairs at The Star Entertainment Group, and previously held media and corporate affairs roles at Rio Tinto’s coal and uranium businesses in Australia, Africa, and Canada.

Alison has worked in the public and private sectors in ICT, transport, energy, police, and corrective services. She also spent 14 years as a journalist, working in newspapers, radio, and television, before being a senior media advisor in the Queensland Government for two terms.

Alison is currently a director on the Peak Services and Queensland Tourism Industry Council boards. Her past board roles have included Chair of the Brisbane Festival (2019-2022).

The Hon Meaghan Scanlon MP

Minister for Housing

Meaghan Scanlon is the Palaszczuk Government's Minister for Housing.

With both of her parents growing up in government housing, she understands the power of social reform, and how it can positively change people’s lives.

She knows the impacts national housing pressures are having on Queensland, which is why she is focussed on rolling out a record spend on social and affordable homes as quickly as possible.

Meaghan is driving $5 billion for social and affordable housing – the single-largest concentrated investment in Queensland’s history – to help deliver 13,500 homes.

Beyond the Palaszczuk Government’s record social housing build, Meaghan is also focussed on looking at new and innovative ways to tackle the issue head on, as well as rolling out different types of housing and homelessness support.

Prior to entering politics, she worked as a solicitor and was then elected to the seat of Gaven on the Gold Coast in 2017, serving as the Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development before being appointed as Minister for the Environment and Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs in 2020.

Greg Hoffman PSM

Executive Officer- North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils

Greg Hoffman PSM is one of Australia’s leading local government professionals with over 45 years’ experience working in State and local government across three states and the Northern Territory. He has held positions of CEO, Commissioner, Managing Director, policy analyst, advocate and industry representative. In his current role as Executive Officer of the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils, Greg’s focus is on the people, policy and politics of the State’s remote and productive North West Region.

As a foundation member of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) Leadership Group, he has proudly ensured the growth and impact of united Western Queensland initiatives including the WQAC Assemblies, State and Federal election strategies, and the delivery of a nation-first Regional Housing Study and Local Housing Action Plans across the region.

Greg is passionate about regional Queensland and has devoted a lifetime assisting councils, regional bodies and communities to ensure their voices are heard and that they receive a fair return for the contribution they make to the State and national economies.

Greg holds qualifications in accounting, management, public policy, media and company directorship. He has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to local government having received a Public Service Medal in 1993 and a Centenary Medal in 2002 for his contribution to Australian society and government.

Darren Mew

Executive Manager (QLD and NT) - BlueChp 

Darren is the Executive Manager of BlueCHP Limited, a not-for-profit developer and Tier 1 Community Housing Provider offering Social, Affordable and Disability accommodation to >2,000 residents in a Build to Rent housing portfolio.

With 25 years’ experience as a property professional, Darren’s career includes senior roles responsible for business development & strategy, project feasibility, design, development and operation.

Darren is a member of the Queensland Housing Supply Expert Panel, Chairperson QShelter, peak organisation for the housing and homelessness sector in Queensland, and former Board Member of CHIA QLD.

Laura Dietrich

Valuer-General - Office of the Valuer-General, Department of Resources

Laura Dietrich is the Valuer-General, Queensland. As the Valuer-General she provides independent advice and transparency in the assessment and issuing of statutory land valuations for all rateable properties in Queensland, in accordance with the Land Valuation Act 2010.

Laura is a diligent, executive leader with more than 30 years valuation experience across the public and the private sectors. She has lived and worked in rural and regional Queensland including Roma, Emerald, and Mackay.

Laura has previously held the role of Chief Lending Officer for Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) where she led program delivery including the end-to-end delivery of the >$300m COVID19 Business Support Grants for Queensland Government.

Laura is passionate about the valuation industry and supporting valuers to develop their careers. She is currently working with industry groups to promote a better understanding around valuations and the profession. Having recently completed her MBA at the University of Queensland, she believes in embracing opportunities for personal development and continues to build strong networks.

Laura has been a registered valuer since 1995.

Cr Andrew Martin

Mayor - Blackall-Tambo Regional Council

A fourth-generation local grazier, Cr Andrew Martin has a genuine passion for the community and region, not only economically but in the advancement of liveability. Andrew is serving his second term as mayor, and he brings many years of experience in financial management and business and human resource management through personal business endeavours, public companies and local government spheres.

Cr Martin has vast experience with federal, state and local government.

Cr Martin has a passion for the region. He advocates relentlessly for a strong future for the Central Western Queensland region. Andrew is Chair of Red Ridge (Interior Qld), Chair of Outback Queensland Tourism Association, LGAQ Policy Executive member and board member of RAPAD and RDA Central and Western Queensland.

Cassie White

CEO - Paroo Shire Council

For Cassie, the seeds for a local government career were planted early. Spending her youth in the remote location of Cunnamulla and accepting the many opportunities that were presented to her, while embracing every opportunity to learn. The kick start to her Local government career was the appointment as Junior Mayor which brought a range of school age members of the community into the local government setting as a Junior Council. The initiative was built in the hope to promote local government as a workplace, strengthen relationships and provide a positive platform for youth to become involved with council and the community on a deeper level.

The Junior Council quickly became a voice of promotion and action. Town beautification and new sporting facilities are a couple of examples of what was built through the engagement with Council. Cassie became an ambassador for her community and was given multiple leadership opportunities which she embraced and developed from the diverse opportunities on offer.

Cassie successfully operated her own consulting company for 5 years before transitioning back to Local Government employment chasing stability for her family. During this time, she had the opportunity to teach, grow and empower many LG staff all over Australia.

After leaving Cunnamulla at age 21 with the goal of returning one day as the CEO, her hard work paid off and in 2020 Cassie returned home to give back what she received as a younger adult.

Cassies daily drive comes from the heart. A community focused on development, growth and investment. She strives to bring the best out in her team and set Council and each individual up for a future of success.

Cassie has a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Advanced Accounting and Management Law.

Beatrice Todd

Executive Administration Officer - Paroo Shire Council

Beatrice “Bea” Todd is the Executive Assistant for Paroo Shire Council since 2019.

She grew up in Northern Italy, in a little town just one hour away from the Alps and one hour away from Venice, between the hills where the famous Prosecco wine is made.

She decided to travel to Australia in November 2014, just a couple of weeks after obtaining her bachelor’s degree in economics. Originally a backpacker, she is now an Australian farmer’s wife, a mother of two little girls and an Australian Citizen.

Bea lives in a sheep station 110km away from Council’s office and works part time Monday to Wednesday. She has a strong passion for her community and works hard to ensure community members are satisfied with Council’s service. She loves assisting CEO Cassie White and supporting her throughout the journey.

Bea is proud to call Australia her home and she is agrees with calling Australia the Lucky Country.

Sam Fryer

Ag Producer and Podcaster

Sam is based just outside of Hughenden, with his wife and 3 kids, where they run a cattle operation on agistment in the area. Both Sam and Emily are passionate and active members of their community.

Passionate about the beef industry and the area, Sam sits on the Southern Gulf NRM board and is also a Councillor for the AgForce YPC Council.

Sam founded the @aplacetocallhomepodcast which focuses on bringing the next generation into the agricultural industry.

Sam is also the new QRIDA Regional Area Manager for North West and Gulf region.

www.aplacetocallhome.com.au

Nikki Boyd MP

Assistant Minister for Local Government

Nikki has been the member for Pine Rivers in the Queensland Legislative Assembly since 2015. She has dedicated her life to looking after others and fighting for a fair go for everyone in our society.

Her early working life experience as an Early Childhood Educator in addition to her career campaigning for the rights of workers in Queensland have given her a unique understanding of the day-to-day struggles that Queenslanders face.

Over the last decade Nikki has advocated for thousands of working people in predominantly under recognised female dominated industries including Early Childhood Educators, Aged Care and Health Professionals through her work with her union, United Voice.

Nikki is the current Assistant Minister for Local Government and is a strong advocate for progressive social justice and the progression of women in Queensland through the Palaszczuk Labor Government.

Paul Bell AM

Chair - Queensland Local Government Grants Commission

Paul, affectionately known as Belly, has a long history of service in local government starting in his home of Emerald and the Central Highlands.

First elected as a councillor in 1985 and subsequent periods as Mayor, Paul retired from local government in 2020. He also has a strong history of board leadership including the health, energy, rail, superannuation and community service sectors.

An electrical fitter/mechanic by trade, Mr Bell is chair of the Central Highlands Healthcare Ltd Board, a director of the Central Highlands (Qld) Housing Company Ltd, a director of the Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association Board and a director of the CQ NRL Bid.

He has been a director of Ergon Energy Corporation (1999-2005), Queensland Rail (2000-2008) and LG Super (2004-2014).

He has a strong belief in the public sector and its ability to deliver, given the right leadership and clear objectives.

Mr Bell was awarded the Order of Australia, General Division, in 2005. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration and is a Member for the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

The Hon Kristy McBain MP

Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories

From her early days in Traralgon in Victoria, to moving to Merimbula on the NSW Far South Coast – Kristy McBain has dedicated herself to being a fierce advocate for regional communities.

As Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy is focused on collaborating with local leaders across our regions to harness opportunities and to build thriving regional economies.

Kristy studied law at the University of Canberra – the first in her family to attend university, and is also the first woman to represent the seat of Eden-Monaro in NSW, following a by-election in 2020.

Prior to entering Parliament, Kristy worked as a lawyer and served on the Bega Valley Shire both as an elected member and later Mayor. She was a member of the Country Mayors Association Executive Committee and Deputy Chair of the Canberra Region Joint Organisation.

As Mayor, she led her community through the devastating 2019-2020 Black Summer Bushfires, and this tireless commitment and leadership has continued in her role as Member for Eden-Monaro.

From providing more skills and employment opportunities, enhancing access to key services, improving infrastructure and connectivity, and ensuring communities are better prepared for natural disasters – Kristy is a strong voice in Canberra for the issues impacting regional Australia.

Kath Rowley

Division Head, Emissions Reduction – Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Kath Rowley is a climate policy leader with over 20 years’ experience.

In her current role leading the Emissions Reduction Division in the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Kath advises the Australian Government on policies and programs to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. She leads delivery of the Government’s flagship reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism and Australia’s carbon crediting scheme, the National Electric Vehicle Strategy, and annual reports on Australia’s emissions.

Dr Amanda Cahill

CEO - The Next Economy

Amanda is the CEO of The Next Economy. She has spent over two decades working with inspiring people across Australia, Asia and the Pacific to create positive change on issues as diverse as economic development, public health, gender equality and climate adaptation.

The focus of her work at The Next Economy is to support communities, government, industry and others to develop a more resilient, just and regenerative economy. Most of this work involves supporting regional communities in Australia to strengthen their economies by embracing the transition to zero emissions. She is also widely sought after as a presenter and media commentator and has appeared in a number of books and films including the film 2040.

Amanda completed her PhD at the Australian National University on participatory action research approaches to economic development in the Philippines. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at The University of Queensland, an Industry Fellow at the Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney, and a 2020 Churchill Fellow.

Associate Professor Simon Smart

School of Chemical Engineering – University of Queensland

Simon Smart is Associate Professor in the School of Chemical Engineering at The University of Queensland (UQ) and the UQ project leader for the Net Zero Australia project (a collaborative partnership with the University of Melbourne, Princeton & Nous). His research is centred around the sustainable production and use of energy and chemicals.

The Net Zero Australia study has analysed five net zero pathways that reflect the boundaries of the Australian debate. Irrespective of the pathway taken, our results show that achieving net zero emissions for both Australia’s domestic and export energy systems is an immense challenge and a once-in-a-generation, globally significant and nation-building opportunity. We can summarise what Australia must do in three points:

1. deliver an energy transformation that is unprecedented in scale and pace,

2. transform our exports as an essential contribution to global decarbonisation, and

3. invest in our people and our land to reduce impacts and share benefits.

These are easy to say, but each requires a transformation in our thinking and our actions in delivering greenhouse gas abatement whilst we continue to serve Australians and our export partners with the energy and other commodities that they need.

David Shankey

Deputy Director-General – Queensland Department of Energy and Public Works

David Shankey was appointed Deputy Director-General of the Energy Division in the Department of Energy and Public Works in August 2021.

David led the division as it delivered Queensland’s 15-year Energy and Jobs Plan, the most significant and challenging energy reform agenda in the State’s history.

The plan provides the strategy for Queensland to move from coal fired to renewable generation within ten years while reducing carbon emissions from the energy sector by 90%. It also sets out the initiatives needed to manage the social impacts of the changes associated with the transition.

Queensland is the first State to articulate an infrastructure pathway out of coal and positions the State as a global leader in this field.

Prior to his current role, David was Executive Director in the Energy Division for four years in multiple roles including Strategic Policy and Renewables. Prior to working for the Queensland Government, David worked in both the resources sector and in the media.

The history of working on specialised energy topics and media means he can distil complex thinking around policy reform into understandable and deliverable steps. A history of working in Queensland means he can forge relationships across industry sectors and bring participants together to achieve outcomes by collaborating on strategies to achieve common goals.

David holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Law and Commerce.

Mark Crawley

CEO - Carpentaria Shire Council

Mark Crawley is the Chief Executive Officer of the Carpentaria Shire Council covering an area of 64,37km square. It’s a great place to work, live and play.

Mark is a local government tragic spending most of his career in rural Queensland and for the past 23 years held the position as CEO at Barcaldine, Nebo, Isaac, Charters Towers and now Carpentaria Shire.

Mark is a former National and State President of Local Government Professionals Australia and Local Government Managers Australia (QLD) and enjoys the work done on behalf of local government practitioners.

He provides his Senior Executives with delegated authority that allows them to work independent of the Chief Executive Officer. They have a responsibility for the delivery of service within their individual directorates and are safe in the knowledge that Mark is available at any time for support and guidance.

The ability to make decisions at a local level that positively impact on the quality of life of the people who reside and visit our communities is very fulfilling and is a responsibility that Mark has always been very conscience of whilst holding senior positions within Council.

Mark’s current passion is to see that local government is recognised as a genuine level of government by the other levels of Government. A recent study undertaken by ACELG – “Why Local Government Matters” highlights the fact that the community holds local government in very high regard, yet the State and Federal Governments do not. Why? But surely this can be corrected.

Andrew Roach

General Manager - Norfolk Island Regional Council

Andrew Roach has been the CEO for Norfolk Island Regional Council now for the past four years, and has previously been CEO at Southern Downs, Port Macquarie Hastings and Blayney Shire Councils.

He has over 30 years’ experience within Local Government sector across Australia, and has studied local government authorities in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and California.

He has mostly driven change and innovation in the sector primarily towards the key services Councils should concentrate on, rather than the many distractions that get thrown our way.

He believes in getting our core services right, so we can have the opportunity on making our communities better with the “nice to haves”.

Jason Natoli

Director Planning, Infrastructure and Governance - Integran

Jason Natoli is town planner and Director of Integran Infrastructure Management, a firm he founded in 2004 to provide a range of advisory services to Local Government. As a specialist strategic planner and policy writer with over 30 years’ experience, his focus has been to drive innovation in the infrastructure and land use planning field.

His experience includes reform of the Qld planning legislation to integrate infrastructure planning and to develop the framework for the creation of the Distributor Retailer water businesses in SEQ. Jason has consulted across a variety rural and regional Australia settings, tailoring his services based to the unique needs of each community.

Jason and his team have now systemised the infrastructure planning, investment and asset management process in their Outvye® software platform. Outvye® meaning to emulate and transcend, is a fit for purpose ‘digital twin’ that creates a ‘digital duplicate’ of the land use and infrastructure environment of any given Council. With built in modelling processes it automates many of the day-to-day planning, engineering and finance endeavours to empower Council with greater insight.

As a result, Outvye® provides the long need evidence base for decision making and risk management. Outvye® also streamlines many of the Local Government statutory reporting requirements in one system, gaining real efficiency while improving governance and compliance.

Jason will discuss how the use of Outvye® has transformed Norfolk Island Regional Council and how this new way of doing business can be part of your Council to provide significant and sustained change.

Ann Leahy MP

Member for Warrego and Shadow Minister for Local Government, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers

Ann Leahy is the Shadow Minister for Local Government, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers and the LNP Member for Warrego.

Ann was first elected to State Parliament in January 2015. She has been a member of several Parliamentary Committees including - Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources; Communities, Disability Services and Domestic & Family Violence Prevention.

Ann lists as her interests: Border Collie dogs being a member of the Queensland Working Sheep Dog Association, aviation being a pilot – a necessary skill to cover such a huge electorate, community service being an active member of several community groups in her home town of Roma, and politics!!

Steve Jones

Qld/NT State Manager - Rex Airlines

Steve started out life in the finance sector, working as a foreign exchange dealer for corporate, and banking sector major companies. Following this he enjoyed almost 15 years in international and domestic tourism working with large maritime and aviation tour operators in operations, Sales, and General Management positions in Japan and Queensland.

Since 2006 he has worked with regional airlines, and has been fortunate to have had a heavy involvement with the Outback in those roles. Based on his experience Steve believes Tourism has a major part to play in the future economy of Outback Queensland, and one he is committed to continuing in his current role as State Manager for Queensland for Regional Express (Rex) Airlines.

Rex Airlines is Australia’s largest independent Regional Airline, operating to regional areas across Australia.

Steve’s experience and industry knowledge will help drive the success of tourism in Queensland’s Outback, building strategies for new markets and working within tourism distribution channels to turn good intentions into firm bookings for visitation to the region.

Rachael Webster

WQAC Consultant - Regional and Remote Health

Rachael was drawn to rural and remote health and the impact of social determinants on the health and wellbeing of communities, after completing her Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, moving away from her earlier career as a radiographer towards population health and then community development.

During her 20 plus years of living in Central West Queensland she has worked for Queensland Health, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, RAPAD and Education Queensland.

Originally hailing from country northwest NSW, Rachael now lives with her family on a sheep and cattle property west of Longreach. This also meant taking time out to teach her three children through distance education as a home tutor and picking up a hefty amount of patience. Her location also meant she was an early teleworker, working remotely on a range of projects from home.

During the COVID pandemic, Rachael was responsible for logistics in the Central West Hospital and Health Service’s vaccination program roll out. She is now enjoying being back working with RAPAD on several projects including regional drought resilience planning and a regional creative art project to drive economic and community wellbeing, in addition to the WQAC health position paper.

Anthony West

Chief Executive – Central West Hospital and Health Service

Anthony West is a physiotherapist with over 30 years' experience, having worked in a wide range of primary healthcare settings.

Anthony strongly believes in providing opportunities for people and communities to engage in healthy behaviours and to prevent ill health.

He's focused on improving healthcare delivery across a wide range of services. These include allied health, mental health, child health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, maternity, and sexual and reproductive health.

He's a proud co-founder of the Old Thomson River Rd parkrun in Longreach. This is a great opportunity for the community to get together and exercise.

Anthony has a Bachelor of Physiotherapy, a Master of Sports Physiotherapy and a Graduate Certificate in Business. He's also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Bruce Scott OAM

Interim CEO - Murweh Shire Council

Bruce Scott was born and bred in Western Queensland. He and his wife owned and managed Moothandella, a cattle station in the Queensland Channel Country until 2020 and now reside in Charleville.

Bruce has spent 29 years in local government, public sector and not-for-profit boards, and was Mayor of the Shire of Barcoo for 16 years. He was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2017 for his services to local government, and to the community.

Bruce brings a breadth of experience of living and managing public and private sector entities in rural and remote communities. He currently sits on the boards of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), Southern Queensland Landscapes, South West Hospital and Health Service, Red Ridge Foundation, Rural Financial Counselling Service North Queensland and the Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation Finance Audit and Risk Committee.

He previously served as the local government advisor to the National Emergency Management Agency, Chair of Desert Channels Queensland, and as a Director on the Central West Hospital and Health Service, Central West Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD), and Regional Natural Resource Management Groups Collective Board.

Bruce has a keen interest in health equity, access to telecommunication services in remote regions, renewable energy development, and responsible land use practices. He is also passionate about education and taking an integrated approach to building strong and resilient rural communities.

Dr Shaun Francis

Executive General Manager Virtual Health and Clinical Informatics – Royal Flying Doctor Service (Qld)

Dr Shaun Francis is the State Lead for Virtual Health Care for the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) Queensland Section.

After completing his degree at the University of New South Wales and joining the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), Shaun spent his early career as a rural generalist in Victoria, training in GP, obstetrics and anaesthetics before moving to locum in Innisfail.

In 2017, Shaun moved to Cairns to commence work as an RFDS Medical Officer and hasn’t looked back.

Shaun commenced as the State Virtual Health Care Lead in October 2021. In this position, Shaun is responsible for overseeing the expansion of the Flying Doctor’s telehealth service including the implementation of a virtual ward which complements our face-to-face service and the ability to remotely manage and follow up with our patients.

Professor Emeritus John Cole OAM

Emeritus Professor John Cole is a highly respected thought leader with an international reputation as an expert speaker in sustainable development, future thinking, innovation, and resilient regions.

For more than four decades, he has held senior positions in government, industry, university, and community organisations and has worked at all three levels of government in Australia.

From his various positions, he has been a pioneer in finding and implementing innovative strategies to deal with some of the major sustainability issues confronting communities, businesses, and households. Originally from a farming background, John has a specific passion for rural and regional development and building resilient regional communities.

He was the founding Executive Director of the Institute for Resilient Regions at the University of Southern Queensland.

Between 2013 and 2019, he led the university's strategic research program in the humanities and social sciences, with a focus on research that enabled more resilient individuals and communities in regional Australia.

He retired in 2021 as the Pro Vice-Chancellor Engagement at the University of Southern Queensland but retains an active linkage with the Institute as Emeritus Professor.