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 by the Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of our local councils and TAFE, a representative of Regional Development Australia and a representative from the Victorian Government.
Business and community members
Michael Tudball – Chair
Michael is a seasoned professional with a diverse background spanning local and state government and the private sector. Michael possesses a good understanding of government departmental operations and has a large network across Victoria and Australia. His experience encompasses health, disability, emergency management, and regional collaboration.
Michael is a former CEO of Southern Grampians Shire Council and has served a number of Interim Executive roles over the past few years specifically in regional locations including South West Victoria.
He holds a number of board roles including Southern STAY Disability Services and WESTVIC Staffing Solutions based in South West Victoria. Michael holds a Graduate Diploma of Business and Master of Business Administration and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
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 farmer running a cattle and sheep enterprise near Hamilton. She has over 15 years' experience in agribusiness banking and corporate finance, primarily working with farming clients throughout South West Victoria to sustainably grow their businesses.
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.
Greg Burgoyne
Greg, is the CEO of Port of Portland and brings a wealth of industry knowledge. He previously served as CEO of Glenelg Shire Council, CFO at the Australian Taxation Office, and 18 years in senior management and board positions with Shell Australia.
Greg has served on the boards of NSW Police, Australian Taxation Office and Audit Committee, Shell Company of Australia, Shell Direct Companies, Shell Superannuation Fund, Shell Fiji, Shell Tahiti, Nationwide Oil and Gogas.
He holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Graduate Diploma Taxation, Master of Accounting, Master of Business (Corporate Law) and a Master of Professional Ethics. He is also a Fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants.
Loren Tuck
Loren is the Coordinator of Education, Training and Industry with Hycel located at Deakin University Warrnambool. With a decade-long commitment to regional development in southwest Victoria, Loren has been involved in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and diversity initiatives.
From pioneering hydrogen research programs to fostering inclusive community events, her work reflects a passion for driving positive change. As a woman in STEM education, Loren advocates for equitable opportunities and sustainable growth, leveraging her network and expertise to advance regional priorities.
Nicole Newman
Nicole is the CEO of Food and Fibre Great South Coast. She is Food Industry Professional with over 20 years of experience in the sector developing brands and creating businesses.
Nicole has worked with local, state, and federal governments on policies and programs including managing the implementation of the Innovation Roadmap and working with the team on the Agri Implementation Strategy.
Steve Myers
Steve is the Managing Director of MPAA Studio, a Warrnambool-based practice specialising in architecture and town planning.
A recognised expert in town planning, Steve brings over 24 years of experience across government and the private sector. He is skilled in sustainable development, sustainability, government, urban planning, and strategic planning.
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.
Victorian Government representative
Beth Jones – Deputy Secretary and Chief Executive of Agriculture Victoria within the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action
TAFE and 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.
Mark Eversteyn – CEO, Moyne Shire Council
Mark Eversteyn is the Chief Executive Officer of Moyne Shire Council. He is an accountant with an extensive history of leading successful companies across the globe.
He joined Moyne from Americold Logistics, where he was Director of Operations. He has managed logistics contracts with some of the nation’s biggest companies, including Coles, Woolworths and Saputo.
He was previously the General Manager of Linfox M Logistics Thailand, leading a team of more than 600 people in a company with multi-billion-dollar revenues.
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.
Helen Havercroft – CEO, Glenelg Shire Council
Helen Havercroft came to Glenelg Shire Council as Chief Executive Officer in July 2024. She has a diverse career spanning continents predominately in leadership roles but always with a passion for community.
Originally from the United Kingdom, she worked with HM Revenue and Customs in investigation and head office compliance roles for over 12 years. In 2018 she was appointed CEO of the Government of South Georgia and The South Sandwich Islands.
Ms Havercroft moved to Australia with her family in 2021 to take up the role of Director of Corporate Performance at Alpine Shire.
Mark Fidge – Chief Executive Officer, South West TAFE
Mark Fidge has been the CEO of South West TAFE for the past 10 years, following 8 years as CFO. His previous experience includes 6 years as Finance Manager with the radio station NOVA100 in Melbourne and the Nickelodeon and Paramount Comedy Channels in the UK.
Mark focuses on fostering a workplace where staff clearly understand the organization’s strategic direction and can contribute effectively to its success. He is proud of South West TAFE’s role in meeting local community and business training needs by providing job ready graduates that assist in delivering positive social and economic outcomes for the region.