New members for Gascoyne Development Commission Board

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls today announced the appointment of four new members to the Gascoyne Development Commission (GDC) board.

Mr Grylls said the guidance of the board was crucial in the strategic development of the Gascoyne region.

The GDC board has nine members - three ministerial appointments, three local government members and three community representatives.

Three of the new members are ministerial appointees:

·             John Oxenham:  A retired salt miner and plantation manager and also serves on the boards of the Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre, the Kuwinywardu Aboriginal Resource Unit (KARU) and Carnarvon Sport and Recreation.  He has a history of community support and mentorship

·             Tom Day:  Has served as a leader at regional, State and national levels. He has given many years of commitment to the horticultural industry and Carnarvon community, also serving as shire president

·             Heather Condo:  Carnarvon-based and serving her second term on the board.  She has events, marketing and tourism experience, as well as a long history of small business development, management and support.

Brian Reading of Exmouth has been appointed as a community member.  Mr Reading is a former farmer and marine scientist and is involved in the Exmouth community through his tourism and engineering businesses, as well as through his contribution to community committees.

The new appointments also mark a change in the leadership of the board, with Exmouth Shire president Ronnie Fleay being appointed as the new chairman and Carnarvon councillor Karl Brandenburg as the new deputy.

Mr Grylls said each of the appointees brought complementary areas of expertise to the board.  The Minister also acknowledged the fine contribution of retiring chairman Kevin Leahy.