About RDA Loddon Mallee

Ms Jenny Dawson

Jenny is the inaugural Chair of the RDA committee for the Loddon Mallee region since October 2009.

Jenny has been a Non-Executive Director of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd since 1999, and Chairs their Audit Committee. She also Chairs Sandhurst Trustees Limited, and is a Trustee for the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo. She recently completed 10 years as a Director of Coliban Regional Water Corporation, retiring from this board in June 2010.

Prior to her appointments as a Company Director, Jenny worked for 10 years with international accounting firm Arthur Andersen (Melbourne) in the Audit and Risk Management division.

Jenny holds a Bachelor of Accounting degree. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Cr Stuart McLean

Stuart has been a Councillor with the Buloke Shire for 15 years, including 2 terms as Mayor.

He is also a Board Member of the North Central Catchment Management Authority; a Senior Vice President of the Livestock Saleyards Association of Victoria; and a Board Member of the National Saleyards Quality Assurance Inc.

Stuart is Chair of the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) - Sheep Identification Implementation Committee for Victoria.

Stuart is a very experienced and effective community leader in the areas of community and economic development, along with having hands-on involvement in practical, best practice environmental outcomes and land use planning.

Mr Keith Baillie - CEO, Campaspe Shire

Keith Baillie was appointed Chief Executive Officer to the Shire of Campaspe in late January 2007.

Keith has an MBA with a Major in Local Government, is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Certified Practicing Accountants (CPA) Australia organisation.

Before joining the Shire of Campaspe, Keith was the Executive Manager Corporate Services with John Sands. He has also worked with AXA, TXU and Andersen Consulting.

Ms Jenny Collins - CEO, Mallee Catchment Management Authority

Jenny is the Chief Executive Officer of the Mallee Catchment Management Authority (CMA) situated in north-west Victoria.

Jenny has spent her professional life in regional Victoria working with communities and has developed strong networks across the horticulture, agriculture, business, education, environment and community sectors.

Jenny has had experience working with commonwealth and state governments on policy development, funding submissions and community consultation and has developed partnerships with landholders, government agencies, local government and organisations such as the Murray Darling Basin Authority.

Mr Mark Johnston - CEO, Central Goldfields Shire

Mark Johnston joined Central Goldfields Shire as it’s first Chief Executive Officer in 1995, intially overseeing an amalgamation process to bring four former municipalities together to form the new entity. Prior to this appointment, Mark was the CEO of the former Shire of East Loddon.

Mark has a Bachelor of Business Local Government, and has been heavily involved in local community organisations and activities including Chair of the Bendigo Football League Board of Management in 2003-04 and since 2006 has been a Director on the Board of the Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE.

Mr Craig Niemann - CEO, Greater Bendigo City Council

Craig Niemann was appointed as CEO at City of Greater Bendigo in December 2007, having joined as Director Organisation Support in 2005.

Prior to this appointment Craig was CEO of the Shire of Loddon and has over 25 years experience working in local government.

Craig has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the Central Victoria area and has extensive experience and a tremendous understanding of community issues and processes.

He has played a key role in facilitating and encouraging the self reliance of local communities and has a strong focus on community engagement and improving services.

Mr Don Carrazza - Proprietor Mildura Theatre Brewery

Don has lived in the Sunraysia area for 53 years, moving with his family to Australia from Italy. Don first established a coffee shop, then two restaurants before establishing Murrayland Fruit Juices. In the early 1980’s, Don built the Sunraysia Resort as a retirement village. Then Don purchased the Grand Hotel in Mildura in 1989 and converted the Aster Theatre in 2004 into the Mildura Theatre Brewery. Don chaired the Sunraysia Area Consultative Committee. As well as being on the committee for RDA Loddon Mallee, Don is also a committee member with RDA Murray.

Cr Gavan Holt - Mayor Loddon Shire

Gavan Holt was first elected to Loddon Shire Council in 2003. He is currently serving his fourth term as Mayor.

He is a third generation Mayor. He was born and raised in Wedderburn where the Holt family has a history of involvement in community affairs and local government.

Having completed a commerce degree from the University of Melbourne - a rarity for a boy from a small country town in those days - he taught for ten years at various secondary schools across Victoria. Gavan then returned to Wedderburn and has interests in farming, investments and hotels.

Mr Nigel McGuckian - Consultant RM Consulting Group

Nigel is a management consultant and a Board member of Birchip cropping group and St Luke's Anglicare. He has worked with rural businesses, communities and families for over 25 years. He has been involved in development of the Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Plan and a range of projects in the Loddon Mallee region in agriculture, natural resource management and rural and regional development.

Mr David Pugh - CEO St Lukes Anglicare

David Pugh was appointed CEO of St Luke’s Anglicare in October 2006, having been with St Luke’s for over 20 years. St Luke’s is based in Bendigo and serves the North Central and North Western area of Victoria and the Riverina region of NSW.

David is currently a member of the Victorian Government’s Victorian Children’s Council; Chair of Bendigo’s Child Friendly City Leadership Group; a Director of the Community Sector Bank; and a member of Bendigo +25 Group. He is a former board member and President of the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS).