Board of Economic Development Australia
AGM 29th September 2009 Melbourne
Fourty three members attended the third AGM held at the Sebel Albert Park hotel. To ensure that the Board membership is continually renewed, Directors serve a two year term, and each year nine directors retire. Nominations were called for nine Director positions at at close of nominations only three members had nominated. The returnign officer declared them elected and nominations for the reamining six positions were called from the floor of the AGM. Six nominations were received and these were declared elected. Chairman, Stephen Chaplle reported on the progress of EDA in the last 12 months with membership growing from 482 to currently 540.
The following nine new Directors were elected:
Kirtsen Coster [Vic], Clr Luke Smith [Qld], Wendy Earl [WA], Rick Dunn [Tas], Stephen Joyce [NSW], Grant Meyer [Vic], Stephen Chapple [Vic], Simon Millcock [Territories] and Margaret Nicholls [NSW].
The full Board then met briefly to confirm current office holders. An election of office beaers will be held at the next Board meeting held by teleconference on Thursday 5th November 2009.
Chairman: Stephen Chapple [Ararat Rural Council]; Deputy Chairman, Stephen Joyce [Griffith City Council]; Treasurer, Margaret Nicholls [Queanbeyan City Council, NSW] and Secretary: Richard Walker [Executive Director]. New photo and director descriptions below.
LHS from Bottom: Margaret Nicholls [NSW], Trevor Ayers [WA], Richard Walker [NSW], Wendy Earl [WA],
Kirsten Coster [Vic], Rick Dunn [Tas], Angela Quain [Qld], Stephen Joyce [NSW].
RHS from bottom: Stephen Chapple [Vic], Ling Gaspar [WA], Simon Milcock [Territories], Neil McNish [SA],
Luke Smith [Qld], Megan Dixon [NSW] and Grant Meyer [Vic].
EDA Board & Chairs SPNs at EDA Strategic Planning Meeting Canberra Feb 2009
EDA Chairman
Stephen Chapple (Vic) is Chief Executive Officer, Ararat Rural Council. He previously held senior managerial roles with Baw Baw Council, Frankston City Council, the City of Maroondah, and Department of Premier and Cabinet and Local Government
EDA Deputy Chairman
Stephen Joyce (NSW) Having been involved in the telecommunications industry for over 15 years in several senior management roles, Stephen made the move to business and economic development when he accepted a position as regional manager with Australian Business Limited (now NSW Business Chamber) and then Economic Development Manager at Griffith City Council. The last 3 years have seen the attraction of University services to the area, progress on a private hospital, expansion of local businesses and attraction of new industries. 
EDA Executive Director/Secretary
Richard Walker (NSW) has been a member of the Sutherland Shire Council's Economic Development Committee since 1999. A geologist by profession, he switched careers two decades ago when he was appointed Business Manager for Unisearch Ltd, a six-year stepping stone for his subsequent role as Executive Director of Macquarie Research Limited overseeing 400 research, consulting and training projects with an annual turnover of $12 million. From 2004 to 2006 he managed a major sustainability project at the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering. Mentoring expertise: Industry clusters, Business incubators/accelerators, commercialisation of technologies.
EDA Treasurer
Margaret (Marg) Nicholls BBus, MRD
Margaret has worked in the mining industry, TAFE, an Area Consultative Committee and local government with over 15 years experience in economic development, community relations, communications and management. In more recent times she has specialised in the development of business improvement districts, town centre management and place management in relation to revitalisation of regional CBD’s.
In 1997 Margaret was the founding President of Business and Professional Women Geraldton holding state and national positions. In 2006 she was appointed a Director of Economic Development Australia. She has an ongoing interest and commitment to mentor young women onto boards and into postgraduate studies in regional and economic development. She is also keen to see EDA develop into a body that supports practitioners and raises the profile of the profession on a national basis. She is currently employed at Queanbeyan City Council (NSW) as its Economic Development Officer. 
Trevor Ayers [WA] Trevor has been responsible for Economic Development with the City of Bunbury for the past seven years. Prior to that he was the first Community Bank Manager (Kulin) in Western Australia. He is also actively locally, holding a board position on Connect South West and being a member of the Critical Horizons Innovation Roundtable, as well as positions on local sporting groups. Trevor is also the Vice-Chair of EDA-WA and has previous experience in Real Estate, Rural and Commercial Banking and Agriculture.
Rick Dunn [Tas] Rick was appointed to the position of Economic Development Manager with the Meander Valley Council -
Julianne Christie: Skilled economist with seven years experience in the regional economics and development field, with a strong background in research, policy analysis and education. Experienced in extensive areas of economic development, from community to industry to business development. Highly capable in managing projects from conception to completion. Julianne is also Chair of the Board for the Local Community Partnership for Fairfield City that is responsible for, among other programs, the “VET in schools program” as determined by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Kirsten Coster (Vic) is the Director Economic Development at Moreland City Council and is responsible for a comprehensive commercial urban renewal program as well as the broader economic development function. With over 15 years of experience in the field of economic development both within the private and public sectors, Kirsten also has considerable experience in the field of town planning, particularly with respect to facilitating large commercial projects and undertaking land use and development strategies. Having developed numerous economic development strategies and over 20 business development and marketing schemes for strip shopping centres Kirsten recognises the valuable contribution that commerce and industry provides in any local community to help create its sense of vibrancy and prosperity.
Angela Quain [Qld] Regional Policy & Programs Coordinator, LGAQ. Angela works for the Local Government Association Queensland (LGAQ), providing policy advice and intergovernmental liaison, developing strategies and policy measures to facilitate economic and regional development.
Seventeen years of experience, gained in the UK and Australia, includes practical economic development, business advice, location marketing, investment attraction, urban regeneration and systems development with local authorities, government and regional development agencies. She has managed a range of projects generating both national awards and substantial job creation and local investment outcomes 
Grant Meyer (Vic) is Manager Economic Development at Hume City Council. Prior to this he oversaw Knox City Council’s place management program. His previous roles include Senior Consultant at SGS Economics and Planning, working as a planner and economic development practitioner in local government, and serving on the former Regional Economic Development Organisation for Melbourne’s east.
Wendy Earl [WA] Currently holding the position of Coordinator of Economic Development at the City of Perth. Responsibilities include research, planning and implementing economic development activities in the city to encourage growth, activation, diversity, international recognition that will achieve long term economic stability.
Recently immigrated to Perth from Wales, UK where I managed multi-million pound European Regional Development programs across Europe within the local government structure.
I joined the City of Perth in 2007, educated in Wales and gained a BA (Hons) in Business and Economics and an MSc Masters Degree in Management. My professional affiliations include: Member of the Institute of Leadership and Management (MInsLM) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personal and Development (CIPD). 
Cr Luke Smith [Qld], elected to Logan City Council in 2006 has served as the Chairperson of the Logan Enterprises Board and Council’s Water and Waste Committee. He is currently serving as the Chairperson of Governance, Finance and Water and is responsible for delivering Logan City’s annual $500m budget.
Born and raised in Logan City and the father of two girls, Cr Smith has a professional background in the media, having working for Network Ten and film production and in community work, working as a senior minister for Impact Christian Community Church and later the Loganlea Community Centre.
Ling Gaspar (WA) Ling has enjoyed 14 years working with small to large business, specialising in marketing gained locally and internationally. Previous to joining local government, Ling managed Pro Subi Limited - the mainstreet body for the upmarket retail and entertainment Subiaco area. Ling is currently a member of the Property & Economic Development Team at the City of Belmont, Western Australia where she facilitates local business investment. Ling has considerable experience working with various industry, charity and community committees.
Anne Maroney [SA]. Anne holds the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Barossa & Light Regional Development Board. Prior to joining the Board in 2006 Anne enjoyed a commercial legal career spanning twenty years during which time she held senior positions in public and private practice both in Queensland and South Australia. Anne is committed to sustainable regional development being regionally driven through engaging community leaders and a culture of innovation. 
Megan Dixon (NSW) is Director Corporate Development at Dubbo City Council. This role includes oversight of economic development, city image, strategic and corporate planning, as well as conduct of a number of profit based businesses for the Council. Prior to this role, Megan held a variety of positions in both local and State Government, all in the field of economic development. Megan’s expertise lies in strategic planning, major project development & management and partnership development. 
Neil McNish (SA) is currently the Economic Development Manager for the City of Marion in metropolitan Adelaide. Neil joined the City of Marion in July 2005 and since then has developed a new economic development strategy for the City and worked with the City of Onkaparinga to produce a regional
economic development plan focusing on diversification of the Southern Adelaide economy. After practising as a solicitor in Scotland, Neil moved into economic development and has gained over 20 years of experience in Scotland and Australia in areas such as venture capital, business advice, export development, investment attraction and strategy development. 
Simon Millcock (Christmas Island) is the Economic Development Officer for Australia's Indian Ocean Territories (Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands) he is employed by the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department. He has a long history in youth, community and economic development in regional South Australia. Simon is also a 2005 graduate of the South Australian Governors Leadership Foundation.
Board Meeting Dates 2009 [Mostly by teleconference at 12:30 pm AEST unless indicated]
8th January
12th February
12th March
9th April
14th May
11th June
16th July
13th August
4th September [12 noon]
28th September [ 4pm Melbourne before Annual Conference]
5th November
3rd December
Minutes of the meeting of the Board