Bellarine Bayside is a public entity governed by a Committee of Management established under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978. Appointed for a term of up to three years, Committee of Management members are selected through a public, skills-based expression of interest process.
The Committee is responsible for the overall governance of the organisation and is accountable to the Victorian Minister for Environment. The Committee sets the strategic directions and monitors the business of Bellarine Bayside, delegates day-to-day responsibility for operations and administration to the Chief Executive Officer.
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.
BEng(Civil), GradDipBus(Acc)
Richard’s 40-year career includes public and private roles in the civil construction, electricity and gas energy sectors in Victoria, covering power station, mining and pipeline infrastructure.
Richard moved into senior executive, Group Management and Chief Operating Officer positions in Victoria’s gas utility sphere, leading the State’s largest gas network business, Multinet Gas, through the privatisation process in 1999.
Richard joined the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) as Commercial Manager in 2008, moving into the Chief Executive role in 2010 and successfully delivering substantial profit growth, improved customer service and important environmental, coastal and leasing outcomes for GORCC under state policy.
Richard lives on the Bellarine Peninsula and is currently the Chair of the Borough of Queenscliffe’s Audit and Risk Committee.
Sub-committee roles:
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.
CPA, MBA(Finance), GAICD
Abi brings 20 years of financial experience within Victorian government entities across state tourism assets, involving coastal and alpine Crown land management, real-estate development, resort development, and transport and water infrastructure. Within the last 10 years she has worked locally in the management team of Barwon Coast Committee of Management and with the establishment of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority.
Abi’s earlier experience was in Seattle, USA as financial analyst working for national investment firms in the areas of capital formation, acquisitions & dispositions, development and asset management.
Abi is a Certified Practicing Accountant and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She holds an MBA from the Foster School of Business, University of Washington (Seattle, USA).
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Peter is a former senior executive in the Victorian public sector. During his 20-year career, Peter worked in a range of departments and agencies, and most recently in the area of public land management, including legislation, policy, strategy and governance. Prior to joining the public sector, Peter was an officer in the Royal Australian Navy.
Peter is currently an independent consultant specialising in the use and management of public land, and working with both public and private organisations. Peter holds qualifications in the fields of history, philosophy and environmental policy.
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Helene is a former children’s wear apparel buyer for Coles Myer and Marketing Manager for Pacific Dunlop and is currently the Owner/Director of UV Raze Pty Ltd, a wholesaler and manufacturer to the surf industry.
Elected to the Borough of Queenscliff council in 2008 and re-elected as both Councillor and Mayor in 2012, Helene was Mayor of the Borough of Queenscliff for four consecutive years until her resignation in 2016. Over the past eight years, her roles have included being on the State Government Ministerial Mayoral Advisory Committee to the Minister, Board Member of the Geelong Regional Library Corporation, Board Member of Women’s Health and Wellbeing, Barwon South West Region and past chair of the Word 4 Word Advisory Committee for the Geelong Regional Library Corporation. Helene is currently a member of the Geelong Cemetery Trust Advisory Committee, Advisory Committee Member of the Word 4 Word Advisory Committee for the Geelong Regional Library Corporation and Events Manager for Queenscliff Harbour.
BCom (Finance), MMktg, GradCert (Public Policy), GradCert (Data Analytics)
Joseph brings a wealth of experience from the Commonwealth and Victorian public sectors and currently works for a major Australian bank. A proud Ngarabal man, he has a track record of driving systemic change and specialises in the intersection of public policy and economic development.
In Joseph’s current role he oversees the implementation of the bank’s 10-year First Nations Strategy, leveraging a career built on fostering reconciliation with Australia’s First Peoples across multiple organisations. Reflecting his deep commitment to economic prosperity for First Peoples, Joseph played a key role in the policy development for Victoria’s first Statewide Treaty.
Joseph’s multidisciplinary expertise covers regulatory frameworks, tax reform, and economic development, complemented by his early career experience as a consultant for international development projects across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
With a Master of Marketing centred on behavioural economics, Joseph applies a data-driven lens to how firms influence choice and consider equity whilst bridging the gap between corporate strategy and practical outcomes.
Sub-committee roles:
BEng(Civil), GradDipBus, MAICD
Richard’s 40 year career includes public and private roles in the civil construction, electricity and gas energy sectors in Victoria, covering power station, mining and pipeline infrastructure.
He moved into senior executive, Group Management and Chief Operating Officer positions in Victoria’s gas utility sphere, leading the State’s largest gas network business, Multinet Gas, through the privatisation process in 1999.
Richard joined the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) as Commercial Manager in 2008, moving into the Chief Executive role in 2010 and successfully delivering substantial profit growth, improved customer service and important environmental, coastal and leasing outcomes for GORCC under state policy.
As a Bellarine Peninsula resident, Richard is a keen ocean swimmer planning a 20th Lorne Pier to Pub entry coming up in 2020.
Pip is a highly experienced People and Culture leader with extensive expertise in organisational development, workforce strategy and leadership, fostering high-performing, values-driven organisations.
Pip is deeply committed to strengthening organisations and creating places where people can thrive. She currently provides strategic People and Culture support to a range of not-for-profit and purpose-led organisations and has held senior leadership and governance roles across the community sector.
Living and raising a family on the Bellarine Peninsula, Pip is committed to helping Bellarine Bayside protect and manage its culturally, environmentally and socially significant coastline.
Sub-committee roles:
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.
Following a successful career in executive leadership, Rosie has established a consultancy practice that focuses on assisting organisations to perform at their very best. Rosie’s approach has largely been influenced through her involvement in the sport sector, having held executive positions in all tiers of sport administration from community, elite and professional team sport.
Rosie has been awarded an OAM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her contribution to sport administration and has also been inducted to the Victorian Honour Roll for Women. Rosie was also honored to be named an “Distinguished Alumni” by Federation University where she obtained Master’s in Business Management. She was awarded the prestigious Graeme Samuel Scholarship by the AFL Commission which enabled her to undertake further leadership development at Harvard University in Boston.
Rosie has been a strong advocate for equity for women’s sport and was awarded the Victorian Sports Administrator of the year. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Rosie is currently Director of Bowls Australia and also Give Where You Live Foundation.
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Helene is a former children’s wear apparel buyer for Coles Myer and Marketing Manager for Pacific Dunlop and is currently the Owner/Director of UV Raze Pty Ltd, a wholesaler and manufacturer to the surf industry.
Elected to the Borough of Queenscliff council in 2008 and re-elected as both Councillor and Mayor in 2012, Helene was Mayor of the Borough of Queenscliff for four consecutive years until her resignation in 2016. Over the past eight years, her roles have included being on the State Government Ministerial Mayoral Advisory Committee to the Minister, Board Member of the Geelong Regional Library Corporation, Board Member of Women’s Health and Wellbeing, Barwon South West Region and past chair of the Word 4 Word Advisory Committee for the Geelong Regional Library Corporation. Helene is currently a member of the Geelong Cemetery Trust Advisory Committee, Advisory Committee Member of the Word 4 Word Advisory Committee for the Geelong Regional Library Corporation and Events Manager for Queenscliff Harbour.
BCom, Grad Dip AgriBusiness, GAICD
Nicole is a visionary and results-oriented Chief Executive Officer with over 25 years of experience driving growth and innovation across the agriculture, food, and regional development sectors. She is passionate about fostering collaboration, empowering teams, and building strong community partnerships to achieve sustainable and impactful results. She has a proven ability to develop and implement successful strategies, advocate for key initiatives, and lead organisations through dynamic and transformative environments.
As CEO of Food and Fibre Great South Coast, Nicole spearheaded initiatives to grow the value of regional food and fibre production, contributing significantly to the prosperity and resilience of local communities. She takes a collaborative approach with local government, industry stakeholders, and community members to address regional priorities and promote sustainable development.
Nicole is experienced in strategic planning, financial management, communication, leadership, and community engagement, seeking to leverage these skills to drive positive change and sustainable growth as a Chief Executive Officer.
Sub-committee roles:
BEng(Civil), GradDipBus, MAICD
Richard’s 40 year career includes public and private roles in the civil construction, electricity and gas energy sectors in Victoria, covering power station, mining and pipeline infrastructure.
He moved into senior executive, Group Management and Chief Operating Officer positions in Victoria’s gas utility sphere, leading the State’s largest gas network business, Multinet Gas, through the privatisation process in 1999.
Richard joined the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) as Commercial Manager in 2008, moving into the Chief Executive role in 2010 and successfully delivering substantial profit growth, improved customer service and important environmental, coastal and leasing outcomes for GORCC under state policy.
As a Bellarine Peninsula resident, Richard is a keen ocean swimmer planning a 20th Lorne Pier to Pub entry coming up in 2020.
BEd(Sec)(Environmental Studies), BSc(Hons), GradDipAppSc(Environmental Management), DipBus(Frontline Management), DipSust, Cert IV Training and Assessment, GAICD
Cam has a passion for education, corporate governance, community engagement and the natural environment. Starting his career as a science and environmental studies teacher, he completed post-graduate studies in Environmental Management teaching ecology at Deakin University and working across a number of welfare related roles.
Cam later worked in a number of engagement and management roles in the vocational education sector including with Apprenticeship and Traineeships at Victoria University, and at the Gordon TAFE where he was responsible for teaching programs in the building and construction sector.
Most recently, Cam was employed in the profit-for-purpose sector as Partnerships and Growth General Manager at gforce employment +recruitment, responsible for Group Training and Recruitment, and leading marketing, business development and community engagement across the
organisation. He is currently working with genU Training, responsible for coordinating training programs in community services.
Cam has twenty years’ experience as a Board Director and Chair, having
previously sat on the YHA Victoria and YHA Australia Boards of Management and as staff representative on the Board of the Gordon TAFE. He is also currently Chair of the Barwon Water Environmental Advisory
Committee and is a member of the Adult Community and Further Education Barwon Regional Council.
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