Our senior management team provides strategic leadership and guidance to protect and enhance the coastal reserves, while fostering a positive and collaborative workplace that empowers and engages our staff.
BSc, DipBus, GradCertHlthInform, GradCertProfAcctg, GAICD
Melanie’s 30-year career has spanned managing a wide range of corporate functions across all tiers of government and the for-purpose sector. She has extensive experience managing business transformation, organisational development, governance, property and risk functions in local government. Previous roles have been managing technology and corporate support functions in community health.
Melanie has over fifteen years’ experience as a Board Director and Chair. She is currently on the Board of Haven Home Safe and chairs its Risk Committee. She is also a trustee of Geelong Cemeteries Trust. She has a passionate commitment to good governance and effective strategic risk management, as well as a strong interest in the impacts of organisational culture on performance and community engagement. She is a Graduate and current member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Melanie is a member of Friends of Edwards Point and the Bellarine Bicycle Users Group and volunteers with the red capped plover monitoring and BeachWatch beach monitoring programs.
Scott has worked in public land management for over 26 years across state and local government, most recently as the Planning and Environment manager with Bellarine Bayside.
His roles have spanned a broad spectrum of functions from conservation management, visitor experience, cultural heritage, and commercial activities at both an operational and strategic level. He was instrumental in reforming visitor management frameworks and delivering major initiatives such as the Great Ocean Walk and has led several strategic business areas.
Scott’s passion and focus remains on protecting our coast and the values that are important to the community whilst also responding to key challenges from climate change and increasing use of these special areas.
He is committed to strengthening Bellarine Bayside as a self-funded organisation to deliver the services the community and customers expect and managing our coast for all.
BEng(Hons), GradDipPubAdmin
John is a former senior executive in the Victorian public service. During a career spanning 30 years, John has held senior management roles across government including in the areas of public transport and roads planning, land management and the local government sector. John is an experienced board director. He is currently a director of the board of the Bendigo Kangan Institute and a Sessional Member of Planning Panels Victoria. John now works as a freelance consultant advising clients on public policy, risk and issues management, project governance and organisational change. He lives on a small rural property near Gisborne. John is a passionate cyclist and a member of the Macedon Ranges Cycling Club.
Brenna Dunne is an experienced accountant with over 15 years in finance, encompassing both public and private sectors.
In her most recent position as Finance Coordinator at the Great Ocean Road Coast & Parks Authority (GORCAPA), Brenna played a crucial role in the successful amalgamation of the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee and Otway Coast Committee. She also project managed the implementation of a new accounting software package and a modernised payroll system. Over her four years at GORCAPA, Brenna was an integral part of the finance team, ensuring that data and reporting were consistently accurate and delivered promptly.
Brenna takes pride in working in sectors dedicated to environmental protection and sustainability for future generations. She looks forward to contributing to Bellarine Bayside.
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David has over 20 years’ experience in Operations Management in horticultural and civil environments. He started his career in the golf course industry, maintaining and building world-renowned links-style golf courses at Barwon Heads, Thirteenth Beach Golf Links, The Dunes, Harbour Town Golf Links USA and St Andrews Scotland.
A move to Barwon Heads with his family allowed David to shift careers to local government at the City of Greater Geelong where he held several roles over 12 years including Capital Projects Manager and Manager Infrastructure Operations. Two award-winning projects managed by him were the reconstruction of the arena at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong and the Eastern Park Stormwater Harvesting Lake. David has Diplomas in Horticulture and Project Management and further training in Business Management, Leadership, LEAN 6 Sigma, Design Thinking and Workplace Law.
BSc, DipBus, GradCertHlthInform, GradCertProfAcctg, GAICD
Melanie’s 30-year career has spanned managing a wide range of corporate functions across all tiers of government and the for-purpose sector. She has extensive experience managing business transformation, organisational development, governance, property and risk functions in local government. Previous roles have been managing technology and corporate support functions in community health.
Melanie has over fifteen years’ experience as a Board Director and Chair. She is currently on the Board of Haven Home Safe and chairs its Risk Committee. She is also a trustee of Geelong Cemeteries Trust. She has a passionate commitment to good governance and effective strategic risk management, as well as a strong interest in the impacts of organisational culture on performance and community engagement. She is a Graduate and current member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Melanie is a member of Friends of Edwards Point and the Bellarine Bicycle Users Group and volunteers with the red capped plover monitoring and BeachWatch beach monitoring programs.
Kate is an experienced planning and land‑management leader with more than 20 years working across Victoria’s public land estate. She specialises in strategic and operational planning, conservation programming, and leading teams to deliver practical, on‑ground results.
Kate has held senior roles with Parks Victoria, including Manager Regional Planning for Western Victoria and District Manager along the west coast, where she led complex land‑management programs and major change initiatives such as national park establishment in the Otways. A committed collaborator with Traditional Owner organisations, Kate works to embed Country Plan outcomes and strengthen co‑management across protected landscapes. Her background spans conservation project management, statutory and risk‑based environmental approvals, and delivery of large‑scale management plans and environmental programs.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Park Management, a Diploma of Applied Science (Resource Management), and is an accredited firefighter. She is known for her collaborative leadership, sector knowledge, and commitment to positive outcomes for Country and community.
BEng(Hons), GradDipPubAdmin
John is a former senior executive in the Victorian public service. During a career spanning 30 years, John has held senior management roles across government including in the areas of public transport and roads planning, land management and the local government sector. John is an experienced board director. He is currently a director of the board of the Bendigo Kangan Institute and a Sessional Member of Planning Panels Victoria. John now works as a freelance consultant advising clients on public policy, risk and issues management, project governance and organisational change. He lives on a small rural property near Gisborne. John is a passionate cyclist and a member of the Macedon Ranges Cycling Club.
David is an experienced senior leader with a background spanning 20 years in commercial operations and strategic growth across tourism, outdoor recreation, and not‑for‑profit environments. He has led complex accommodation operations, driven new business start‑ups, and delivered sustainable commercial outcomes across visitor‑focused assets.
David is particularly focused on supporting tourism and contributing to visitor economies through the stewardship and activation of public and community assets. He brings a strong understanding of how visitor experience, place‑based management, and commercial sustainability intersect to support long‑term and broad economic benefits.
David also has experience operating as a non‑executive director, providing strategic input, commercial insight, and an informed approach to risk and governance. He is passionate about leadership, mentoring teams, and balancing commercial performance with strong community focussed outcomes.
