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Gaye Hart AM
Chairman RDA Hunter
Gaye Hart has lived in the Hunter for 15 years.
She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and throughout her career has held leadership positions in government, business and the community sector. She has served for more than 20 years on not-for-profit, government and business boards, in fields as diverse as health, banking, export education, including Newcastle Port Corporation, the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Committee.
Gaye is the former Director of Hunter TAFE. She has also had a lengthy involvement in overseas aid and development including a period as Chair of the Australian Council for International Development, and as a member of the Foreign Minister’s Aid Advisory Council.
In 1989 Gaye was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to Australia’s Bicentennial celebrations. In 1999 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Newcastle and 2003 was awarded a Centenary of Federation medal for leadership in overseas aid and development.
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Cr John Tate
Deputy Chair RDA Hunter
John Tate is the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, a position which he has held since 1999, and a Councillor for Newcastle City Council since 1980.
Born and raised in Newcastle, while operating the family automotive business, he attributes his success in Local Government and business to focusing on what is best for the people of Newcastle and the Hunter Region and his commitment to see the region develop and prosper.
In 2003 he was appointed Chair of the Hunter Economic Development Corporation and was also a Board Member of Honeysuckle Development Corporation, Regional Land Management Corporation, Hunter Region Tourism Organisation. He is the Chair of the Newcastle Tourism Advisory Committee.
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Dr Cameron Archer
Cameron Archer was raised on a grazing property on the southern tablelands of NSW. He initially undertook studies in Agricultural Science at the University of Sydney and after graduation worked as a Research and Extension Agronomist in the Northern Territory. He moved to the Hunter on his appointment as a lecturer in agronomy at the then CB Alexander Agricultural College, Tocal, Paterson. Cameron progressed to the position of Principal in 1987 and has held that position since.
He has undertaken two degrees in education from the University of Newcastle and more recently completed a Doctorate in Environmental History with the University of Newcastle. He has written a number of articles on agricultural education as well as on local and environmental history.
He is a Board Member of the University of Newcastle’s Tom Farrell Institute. Cameron has been the long time President of Paterson Historical Society and is active in local and community affairs across the Hunter. Cameron also serves as a member of the Royal Agricultural Society (NSW) Foundation. He was a member of the former Hunter Economic Development Corporation, Chair of the Belgenny Farm Trust and is also the inaugural and current Chair of the Primary Industries Education Foundation, a national company recently established as a joint initiative between rural industry, education and the Australian Government.
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Paul Hughes
Paul Hughes is currently CEO of Newcastle Airport Limited a position he commenced in 2005. Previously he worked for 20 years at Port Stephens Council, including 15 years in the Senior Executive Management Team. Prior to this Paul spent seven years in Chartered Accountancy having attained a Commerce Degree at the University of Newcastle.
Paul is a Board member of Tourism Hunter, Peterson House Limited in the Hunter Valley, YMCA Sydney and Fighter World Aviation Museum. He is also a representative on the NSW Air Combat Capability Hub - Hunter Region Advisory Council, Williamtown Consultative Forum – Department of Defence and the Port Stephens Council Economic Development Advisory Panel. Paul is a qualified member of Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Paul Hughes is a local of the Hunter region, growing up in Raymond Terrace, where he still lives, and attended high school in Maitland.
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Susan Ivens
Susan Ivens has a strong background in the health industry and in education. Her background includes being the Managing Director of Toronto Private and Maitland Private Hospitals.
She has a Bachelor of Arts degree and Diploma in Teaching from the University of Newcastle. She completed a Master of Business Degree at the University of Newcastle in 1999 while continuing to run the business. In 2005 she graduated from Macquarie University having undertaken a Bachelor of Law degree via distance learning. Susan was awarded the Louis and Marjorie Karpin Memorial Prize for best performance in Business Policy in 2000.
In 2006 Susan received the prestigious Hunter Business Person of the Year award. This award is conferred by the Hunter Business Chamber and recognises achievements in business.
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Gary Kennedy
Gary Kennedy was born in St Andrews in Scotland and emigrated to Australia in 1973 originally to Sydney and employed by the then Post Master Generals Dept (PMG). He was the NSW President of the Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union Telecommunications and Services Branch from 1989 until elected as the Secretary of Newcastle Trades Hall Council in August of 2000.
Gary had been an installation Technician with Telstra in Sydney from 1973-75 and then was re-employed in Newcastle in 1978 and had held numerous honorary positions within the Union before becoming a full time official. Gary had been a delegate to Newcastle Trades Hall Council since 1979 and is still a member of the CEPU T&S branch having been awarded life membership to his union in 2001.
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Geoff Lilliss
Geoff was appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ampcontrol in January 2011. He provides the leadership and direction required to further develop the company’s portfolio for sustainable growth. He also provides guidance to ensure continuous commitment to safety, product quality, customer service and relationship management throughout the company.
Geoff was appointed Executive General Manager - Engineering, Transmission & Technology at EnergyAustralia in 2008 and remained in this role until December 2010. He has previously held the position of Executive General Manager Networks and has occupied a variety of senior executive positions throughout a 37 year career.
Geoff developed the investment strategy for EnergyAustralia’s major transmission & distribution assets and initiated EnergyAustralia’s original intelligent network strategy. Prior to leaving EnergyAustralia he was overseeing the implementation of that strategy, including a $5 billion infrastructure program that is at the core of future electricity supply for Sydney and its environs – the largest transmission capital program ever undertaken by EnergyAustralia. He also led the organisation's successful bid for the Australian Government’s $100M intelligent electricity network program, and was a member of the National Smart Metering Steering Committee.
Geoff holds an MBA, Bachelor of Engineering and Conjoint Professorship in the Faculty of Business and Law at Newcastle University, and is a member of the University Council.
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Cr Julie Lyford
Julie Lyford was first elected to Gloucester Shire Council in 1995 and has served as mayor between 2007 and 2009. Born in Middlesex, England, Julie moved to Sydney in 1975 and trained to become a Registered Nurse at Hornsby Hospital. She continued to nurse in Australia and England before moving to the Hunter in the mid 1980s, working in community health in Muswellbrook, then as manager of a general practice until elected to council.
Julie is an an active advocate for the Gloucester community and has been a driving force behind a number of community organisations and lobbying activities. She holds board and committee positions with Arts Upper Hunter, Midcoast Water, Gloucester Gallery, Gloucester Arts Council, is Chair of the 2011 NSW Rural Women's Gathering (Gloucester) and was the chairperson of Hunter Councils in 2009.
As a strong and passionate advocate for community development, consultation and social inclusion, Julie has extensive experience within the health and local government sectors. Julie instigated the formation of the Gloucester Environment Group in 1989, due to deep concerns regarding climate change and care of vulnerable ecosystems and has been active in the issues of land use, food and water security and sustainable futures.
John Lyons
Born at Maitland and educated at Maitland Boys High School, with further education at Maitland, Newcastle and Sydney Technical Colleges completing qualifications in Plumbing, Health & Building Inspector and Structural Engineering. After leaving the plumbing industry and Hunter Water Board, his local government career commenced as a Department Head in a small country council, and ended 24 years, and five councils later at Blacktown City Council (todays pop. 300.000) in position of City Health & Building Surveyor.
At Blacktown he was awarded Fellowship of Australian Institute Building Surveyors for research and development of codes practice for residential scale buildings, in collaboration with CSIRO.
John left local government to start his own Building Consultancy and completed several developments projects on Central Coast. In 1996 he moved to Millfield to establish Millbrook Estate vineyard, winery and distillery. He has strong community interests being involved with progress Association on the Central Coast, Millfield and Wollombi Chamber Commerce
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Professor Nicholas Saunders
Professor Saunders is the Vice-Chancellor & President, University of Newcastle. Prior to his appointment in October 2004, Professor Saunders was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Services at Monash University. Over the years he has served on many national committees and councils relevant to higher education and research.
He was Chair of the National Health and Research Council (2000-2003) and served on the Higher Education Council, the Prime Minister's Science Engineering and Innovation Council, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council, and the Committee of Deans of Australian Medical Schools (Chair (2000-2002).
Professor Saunders was awarded the Centenary Medal from the Commonwealth Government for his contribution to academic medicine in 2002. He is a Director of Universities Australia, University of Newcastle Singapore, University of Newcastle Foundation and was appointed to HMRI Board in October 2004.
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Neville Sawyer AM
Neville Sawyer trained at BHP Newcastle and Newcastle Technical College in the electrical trade and then electrical/electronic engineering technologies before moving to work with Crompton Parkinson/Noyes Bros and Siemens. He established with a partner, the award winning company Ampcontrol Pty Ltd in Newcastle in 1968. Over the following 38 years (to December 2005, when he retired) the company grew to include electrical, electronic control, power design and manufacturing plus service and repair serving a range of clients throughout Australia. Exports commenced in 1974 to New Zealand and grew to include PNG, Fiji, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India, South Africa, China & Hong Kong and USA.
His roles within Ampcontrol lead his involvement in National Industry Associations and Regional, State and Australian Chambers of Commerce. He is a Past President of the Chamber of Manufacturers of NSW, the NSW Business Chamber (and a Life Governor) plus a Past President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Canberra). He was also an appointed member on the National Industry Skills Committee as well as the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council and was recognised and awarded an Australian Honours ‘AM’ Award in January, 2006 for services to business and education.
He is involved as a mentor, director and chairman of a number of community and commercial organisations in the innovation and small business and maintains active roles with Hunter Region community education and research organisations.
Cr Lee Watts
Lee Watts is the current mayor of Upper Hunter Shire, a position she has held since 2009 and a councillor since 2005
She has lived in the Upper Hunter close to 40 years during which time she has become actively involved in the community.
Highly experienced in a range of roles including administration, management, training, project management and community advocacy. She has a strong commitment and proven track record in Community Service and development through having worked in the community sector over many years. Providing leadership and advocacy through paid and volunteer roles as Manager of the Neighbourhood Centre, member of various committees and boards and as a Councillor with Upper Hunter Shire Council. A passionate representative of the community who believes in open, inclusive, responsible and viable regional development.
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