Our partnership comprises business and community members from across the Great South Coast who care passionately about the future of our region.
They are joined on the partnership by the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of our Local Government Areas, as well as a representative of Regional Development Australia (ensuring Australian Government involvement with the partnership) and a representative from the Victorian Government.
Business and community members
Stephen Lucas – Deputy Chair
Stephen has a breadth of experience in the transport and emergency services sector having been the president of Bus Association Victoria, a helicopter pilot in the Australian Army and a chair of Westvic Helicopter Rescue Services Inc.
Stephen has owned and operated bus businesses throughout Australia and is the Managing Director of Warrnambool Bus Lines.
Anne Murphy
Anne is an Executive Officer for Glenelg and Southern Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network. She has more than 30 years’ experience in the Education sector, having worked as a teacher, trainer and consultant curriculum writer, as well as an executive officer in a number of Local Learning and Employment Networks.
Fiona Whale
Fiona is a Senior Agribusiness Relationship Manager with Rural Bank where she works with farming clients throughout South West Victoria to sustainably grow their businesses. With her family she owns and runs a cattle and sheep enterprise near Hamilton.
Fiona is involved in the CFA, Landcare, playgroup and a number of the South West’s health, education, sport and social networks with her family and young children.
Regional Development Australia representative
Liz Price
Liz is General Manager of Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Board, an organisation established in 2013 as a partnership of the 6 local governments across the region to deliver a collaborative, regional approach to building a sustainable visitor economy for the Great Ocean Road region. Liz is a board member of the Victorian Tourism Industry Council and a Director of Great Southern Touring Route, a partnership between Geelong Bellarine, Ballarat, the Grampians and industry to grow international visitation.
Liz has more than 30 years’ experience in the tourism and hospitality sector and extensive experience in print and digital publishing. Liz is committed to building greater collaboration to drive sustainable, long-term outcomes for the benefit of the region.
Local government CEOs
Andrew Mason – CEO, Warrnambool City Council
Andrew Mason is Chief Executive Officer of Warrnambool City Council. Prior to his appointment in February 2023, Andrew was CEO at Corangamite Shire Council and prior to this was Corangamite Shire’s Director Sustainable Development for 2 years. Andrew has extensive experience as a planning consultant and has held senior management positions in both the State and local government sectors.
Andrew works actively with private and government stakeholders as a member of many external committees. Andrew holds a BA (Planning) and MBA.
Peter Brown – Acting CEO, Moyne Shire Council
Peter Brown is a longstanding resident of country Victoria and is the Acting CEO at Moyne Shire while recruitment for the permanent position is undertaken. After 7 years as Chief Executive of Horsham Rural City Council, Peter resigned in 2017 and was CEO of Colac Otway Shire for 3 years through COVID.
Peter has previously worked at Warrnambool City and as Chief Executive at Wimmera Uniting Care. Over the last few years he has been working as a Locum Executive and has filled in at Sothern Grampians and Moyne. Peter has qualifications in economics, accounting and management and has a keen interest in the economic and social development of regional Victoria.
David Rae – CEO, Corangamite Shire Council
David returned to Corangamite Shire as CEO in May 2023 after spending 13 months as Director Community and Corporate Support at Moyne Shire Council.
Before this, David was Director Corporate and Community Services at Corangamite Shire for 10 years. He's a qualified accountant and started his local government career at Warrnambool City Council in 1996.
Tony Doyle – CEO, Southern Grampians Shire Council
Tony Doyle is Chief Executive Officer of Southern Grampians Shire Council. Prior to this appointment in December 2021, Tony was CEO at Knox City Council in Melbourne’s outer east, which followed his appointment as CEO at Hindmarsh Shire Council in Victoria’s north west.
Before joining local government, he had an extensive career in banking and finance, working in Australia and overseas. Tony is passionate about community engagement and empowerment. He holds a Bachelor Economics (Accounting) and an MBA.
Greg Wood – CEO, Glenelg Shire Council
Greg was recently appointed to the role for a 6-month term, pending a recruitment process for a new CEO due to his significant Local Government experience in governance, community engagement and financial sustainability.
Before arriving in Glenelg Shire, Greg spent 7 years as CEO at Hindmarsh Shire Council (based in the Wimmera and headquartered at Nhill). While there he focused on finance and good governance, which proved to be an essential foundation for the shire.
Prior to his time at Hindmarsh, he worked for 7 years at the City of Casey in southeast Melbourne, where he was Director Community Services and Director Emergency Management, as well as being Acting CEO on several occasions.
Before Casey, he spent 6 years at the City of Port Phillip in a variety of roles including Acting General Manager City and Infrastructure Services, Acting Executive Director Community Development and Planning, Manager Community Services and Manager Social Development.