Our members

Business and community members

Peter McAllister – Chair

Peter has a strong foundation in Food Manufacturing within regional Victoria. As General Manager of True Foods, one of the largest Australian-owned manufacturer of bread goods, Peter led the successful move of the business out of Melbourne to settle in Maryborough.

Peter has also held a broad range of regional leadership roles including on the Bendigo Manufacturing Group, as Chair of the Food Manufacturing Sub-Committee, and as a Member of Regional Development Australia Loddon Mallee. Peter served on the Committee for Maryborough as well as 9 years on the Maryborough District Health Service Board, the final 6 as Board Chair. Peter lives in Ballarat with his family.

Chris Whitefield – Acting Deputy Chair

Chris has led corporate strategy, stakeholder engagement, communications, marketing and ESG initiatives across the public and private sectors for 20 years. As Executive Director, Communications and Community for Plenary Group, Chris works closely with all three levels of government in the delivery and management of value-for-money public infrastructure.

A proud Ballarat local, Chris is also a board member of Australia’s largest photographic festival, Ballarat International Foto Biennale, and is a member of the subcommittee delivering the National Centre for Photography. Chris is also on the organising committee for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute's major fundraiser, the Ballarat Cycle Classic.

Stuart Squire

Stuart is Executive Director of the Grampians Local Health Service Network and in addition brings broad experience in the delivery of capital projects across many Public Sector areas including roads, transport, parks, local sport and health. Stuart is passionate about leveraging those experiences and connections to co-design key economic and social outcomes for the region.

Stuart holds both a Masters of Engineering Technology and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration. Born and raised in Ballarat, Stuart has a vested interest in the future of our region, with 2 young children at heart.

Regional Development Australia representative

Michael Tudball

Michael Tudball (AFSM FAICD MIMC) is a contemporary executive with a leadership foundation built upon extensive background in communities, Local and State governments intertwined with private and not-for-profit sector experience.

Michael has specific strengths in local government, economic development, emergency management and resilience, transport, health and employment sectors with strategic work including advice and policy development at Local, State and Federal levels.

He now spends his time in Executive Mentoring, Public Speaking, Leadership support, Interim Executive and Board Governance roles in particular supporting local government and communities.

Victorian Government representative

Nicole Brady, Deputy Secretary, Systems Planning, Department of Health

TAFE representative

Mr Darren Gray, Pro Vice-Chancellor VET & University Pathways / Chief Executive TAFE Federation University Australia

Local Government CEOs

Phuong Au – Chief Executive Officer, Ararat Rural City Council

Phuong is an experienced local government executive with nearly 20 years’ experience in public administration, strategic funding, project delivery and leadership. She brings a strong regional perspective, with a proven track record of securing investment and delivering outcomes for regional communities.

Adam McSwain – Chief Executive Officer, Golden Plains Shire Council

Adam is the CEO of Golden Plains Shire, bringing extensive local government leadership experience from senior roles across regional and metropolitan councils in Victoria and New South Wales. He holds qualifications in business, politics and public policy, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Janet Dore – Interim Chief Executive Officer, Hepburn Shire Council

Janet is an experienced executive and non-executive director with a career spanning local and state government, academia, and the not-for-profit and corporate sectors. She has served on more than a dozen boards over 16 years and brings expertise in governance, risk management, strategic planning, organisational leadership and change management.

Derek Madden – Chief Executive Officer, Moorabool Shire Council

Derek is the CEO of Moorabool Shire and an experienced executive with a background in local government, corporate services and organisational leadership. He has held senior roles across several Victorian councils and brings expertise in governance, business transformation and strategic management.

Sally Jones – Chief Executive Officer, Pyrenees Shire Council

Sally is an experienced local government executive and CEO with a strong track record of leading high-performing organisations through change. She brings expertise in strategic leadership, organisational performance and values-based culture, having served in CEO and interim CEO roles across several Victorian councils.

Evan King – Chief Executive Officer, City of Ballarat

Evan is an experienced executive and CEO with a background spanning local government, manufacturing and community services. He brings strong expertise in governance, financial management, strategic leadership and regional development.