Our Members

Members

Business and community members

David Richardson – Chair

David is the Head of Campus at Bendigo TAFE, having previously been Deakin University’s Manager of Regional Partnerships since 2016 and prior to this the Chief Executive Officer of Strategem Financial Group. David is a Non-Executive Director at CVGT Australia. As Chair of the Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership since 2018, David has led the Partnership’s engagement with community on defining the region’s priorities as well as its successful advocacy for Healthy Heart of Victoria, the Keeping in Touch project empowering young people to drive the promotion of youth mental health in the region, as well as the Regional Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Skills Road Map and a range of other priorities. David has over 20 years of experience in education and industry and holds a Master of Business Administration and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Rodney Carter

Group Chief Executive Officer of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation since 2015 and of Dja Dja Wurrung Enterprises Pty Ltd since 2014, member of the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council since 2007 and current Chairperson. Rodney is a descendant of Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta people. He played a key role in negotiating the Dja Dja Wurrung people's Recognition and Settlement Agreement 2013 with the State of Victoria. He is a local traditional owner with deep cultural connections to much of our region and is enthusiastic about expanding our region’s tourism offering to support skills and opportunities for our communities to participate.

Leah Taaffe

Chief Executive Officer of Community Living & Respite Services. Leah led CLRS’s transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, supporting individuals and the broader community to achieve great outcomes. Leah brings 11 years of experience in human services leadership and the Arts to the Partnership. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Social Studies (Hons).

Tricia Currie

Tricia Currie is Chief Executive Officer of Women’s’ Health Loddon Mallee and is an experienced Chief Executive Officer and Manager in the health sector. She developed and delivered the first regional sexual and reproductive health strategy for the Loddon Mallee, Chairs the Loddon Mallee Regional strategy for the Prevention of Violence against Women and has experience in design and implementation of place-based models of program and service delivery. She has served as Deputy Chair of both Gender Equity Victoria, and the North Central Local Learning and Employment Network, as well as Deputy Chair of Gowrie Victoria and currently chairs the Women’s’ Health Services Council of Victoria.

Robert Musgrove

Robert Musgrove is the General Manager, Corporate and Public Affairs, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. He has 35 years’ experience in the banking sector, at both customer service and head office levels. He played a pivotal role in developing and expanding the Community Bank® model, which is now achieving considerable success both for the banking sector and hundreds of communities. He is a director of the Bendigo Art Gallery.

Kerrie Dowling (Observing member)

Kerrie is the Executive Officer for the Committee for Maryborough, on the Committee of Management for Goldfields Local Learning and Employment Network and a Director of a regional business. Her previous role was in senior management with the Australian arm of an internationally owned corporation. She brings a business perspective and local connections to the Partnership. Kerrie also holds an Advanced Diploma in Neuroscience in Leadership.

Regional Development Australia representative

Stephen Tinker

Steve is the Regional General Manager, Western Victoria for Telstra. Through this role, Steve has developed a great appreciation for the varied communities across the region.

Steve brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the telecommunications industry and has a deep understanding of the connectivity challenges faced in regional areas. He has hands on experience in the establishment of telehealth services and in addressing mobile phone black spots.

Steve is also a member of the Governance Committee on the Murray Primary Health Network (PHN).

As an RDA committee member, Steve brings valuable experience and insights in relation to digital and telecommunications and how digital connectivity policy affects the region.

Victorian Government representative

Ms Emma Cassar - Deputy Secretary, Social Policy and Intergovernmental Relations Group, Department of Premier and Cabinet

Local government CEOs

Pauline Gordon – CEO, Campaspe Shire Council

Pauline Gordon was appointed CEO of Campaspe Shire Council in October 2022. With over 25 years’ experience in local government, Ms Gordon has worked across a variety of senior roles in Victorian and Queensland councils. Prior to her appointment at Campaspe, Ms Gordon was the Director Community Strengthening with Mornington Peninsula Shire and has worked in Director roles with the City of Greater Bendigo, Nillumbik Shire Council, Gympie Regional Council and Sunshine Coast Council. Pauline has an extensive background in applied social science and a particular passion for community and cultural development, as well as economic development and tourism.

Lucy Roffey – CEO, Central Goldfields Shire Council

Lucy Roffey is an executive leader, with a mix of financial and corporate skills combined with public, private and community expertise, and demonstrated success in bringing strategy, leadership and transformation to organisations. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Prior to working in Local Government, Lucy was senior executive at the Australian Centre of the Moving Image, attracting a $20 million investment from the State Government in the redevelopment of the Centre and its programming to deliver high calibre exhibitions and experiences that were and continue to be valued by both the Victorian community and international tourists.

Bernie O’Sullivan – CEO, Macedon Ranges Shire Council

Mr O’Sullivan worked with the City of Greater Bendigo, becoming the organisation’s first Strategy and Growth Director, having previously worked as the Acting CEO of the Institute of Public Administration Australia and as Deputy Secretary at the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (and its predecessors) leading the department’s state-wide regional operations.

Darren Fuzzard – CEO, Mount Alexander Shire Council

Darren was recently appointed as CEO of Mount Alexander Shire following five years as Director – Presentation and Assets at the City of Greater Bendigo and five years as Director – Operations at Loddon Shire Council. Darren’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and prior to joining Local Government he spent 11 years in VicRoads working on large infrastructure projects and programs across regional Victoria and in Melbourne.

Mr Andrew Cooney – CEO, City of Greater Bendigo

Andrew Cooney Became CEO of the City of Greater Bendigo in December 2023. He is a highly regarded executive who is passionate about community development and enjoys long, established relationships, locally, regional and at the State Government Level. He first joined the City of Greater Bendigo as Director of Corporate Performance and led the City's involvement in the Development of Galkangu and also served as Director of Commonwealth Games. Prior to joining the City, Andrew's previous roles include as an Executive Director with DELWP (now called DEECA), General Manager Governance and Strategy at Coliban Water, Director Community and Corporate Services Gannawarra Shire and Manager Organisational Development at Loddon Shire Council. He is currently on the Board of Goulburn Murray Water and Bendigo Strikers Netball.

Lincoln Fitzgerald – CEO, Loddon Shire Council

Lincoln comes to Loddon Shire Council with a wealth of experience in Local Government, coming from the City of Greater Bendigo and having previously worked for Mount Alexander Shire Council. He has held diverse roles including project management of major projects, asset management, health promotion, strategy development, contract and facility management. Lincoln’s career has focused on building, leading and managing diverse teams and large businesses in the region and overseas.