Board Members

Graham has been involved with the Surat Basin Corporation for nearly three years and is a dedicated professional that is determined to see sustainable beneficial outcomes cemented into our region, for generations to come.

Matthew also maintains strong relationships with customers, suppliers and associates within the Surat Basin and is committed to the region’s growth. He facilitates regional development as a member of the Dalby Chamber of Commerce and Industry Management Committee and is a founding member of the Surat Basin Corporation Board. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Economics and has worked as Grower Services Manager for Colly Cotton managing Futures and Foreign Exchange “book” for clients in excess of $150,000,000US. His outstanding work within the cotton industry was recognised when he was awarded 2001 Rural Young Achiever of the Year. Matthew also worked as a consultant providing specialist advice on Loss Adjustment, Loss Management and Consulting before joining Ostwald Bros.

Bill is Business Development Manager for the Toowoomba based, integrated services company Easternwell Energy.  In this role, Bill has had extensive involvement in building and developing Easternwell’s client base to include major companies such as Chevron, QGC, Santos, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Arrow Energy and Beach Energy.  Having previously worked in various management and economic development roles within state government, Bill is committed to taking a broad, regional development perspective as a member of the Board of Management for the Surat Basin Corporation.

Cr Antonio is from a farming background and is in partnership with his wife Judy and son Craig in a 3500 acre farming aggregation in the Captains Mountain area west of Millmerran producing Angus cattle and growing grain’s Antonio is a Director of the Surat Basin Corporation and a member of the CSG Engagement Committee chaired by John Cotter. He served for eight years and was a foundation Director of the Condamine Alliance National Resource Management Group and was a Board Member and Deputy Chair of the QFR Authority.

Cr Antonio was Mayor of the Millmerran Shire Council during the construction period of the Millmerran Power Project and saw the implementation of an excellent community project partnership negotiated by his Mayoral predecessor George Ezzy OAM and Chief Executive Officer Roy Flynn. A graduate of the Gatton Agricultural College, Cr Antonio is also a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. While elected independently to the SBC Board in 2009, he represents the Toowoomba Regional Council on the Board.

Darryl has previously been a director of MWREDC (Mackay Whitsunday Economic Development Corporation) and spent 6 years as a director of M.A.I.N. (Mackay Area Industrial Network). He has during this time he held the position as Chair of the “Paget Group” an advisory body representing the heavy engineering and mining services sector in the region, and also had a seat on the advisory board of CQ University.

Darryl is married to Heidi and they have 3 children. Darryl and his family relocated back to Toowoomba two and a half years ago and has been working as the general manager for Wood Group Wagners until just recently when he decided to start his own Business, BROWNFIELD Engineering and Maintenance Pty Ltd. Darryl has a passion for the region and his background will contribute to the diverse skill set of the board.

Previously, Jim worked as a journalist for regional and metropolitan newspapers, the Nine Network and ABC News and Current Affairs in North Queensland, Brisbane and Canberra – most recently as political producer for The 7.30 Report.

Anthony has a ten year background in accounting and over seventeen years experience in the automotive industry. He has been a Director and fifty percent owner of Southern Cross Automotive Group for the last ten years. During that time the business has grown from two Dealerships in Roma and Toowoomba to a thriving five dealerships with the addition of Dalby, Chinchilla and Warwick.

Anthony strongly believes in being an active member of the communities he operates in and brings to the board his strategic thinking, high energy and solution focussed attitude.

Ray manages the general operation of the business which provides engineering services to South West Queensland and is the Director in Charge of engineering services for the Western Downs Regional Council and is the technical chairman of the Southwest Road Group (Member Councils include Maranoa Regional, Balonne Shire, Bulloo Shire, Murweh Shire, Quilpie Shire and Paroo Shire).

Ray has been involved on various infrastructure projects for Government, local government and private clients covering the area from Toowoomba to the South Australia Border. Ray has represented Local Government on numerous State Government /Local Government road and infrastructure advisory committees.

Kaye has spent over 14 years in the Banking industry and three years in advertising before devoting her time fully to developing their own business. Kaye has worked collaboratively with many levels of business and community groups to organise community events including the Chinchilla Melon Festival (event co-ordinator since 1997), Arts in the Park (event president), Surat Basin Conference 2008 (committee member), Chinchilla Performing Arts (president 3 years), Chinchilla Community, Commerce and Industry Inc (vice-president 2010).

Having the privilege of working with many of the current major projects in the Surat Basin, Kaye has built a wide range of strong relationships in the Surat Basin region with both corporate and local entities. As a woman in business in the centre of the Surat Basin, she is proud to deliver enterprise, excellence, quality and integrity to all of our clients and is committed to meeting the ever changing needs and requirements of her clients and the community.

As a director of the Surat Basin Corporation Board since 2009, Kaye totally embraces and appreciate the opportunities offered to our Surat Basin Region through the Energy industries, but believe that this is just the exciting beginning for many people from all types and levels of business and community groups. A body such as the Surat Basin Corporation has the ability without boundaries to provide links and communication between Industries, Corporations, Governments, and Medium and Small business. Through diligent corporation and utilisation of the Resource sector Kaye feels that we have the opportunity to make our region the best it can be and are only limited by our ability to reach out and work together.

Ree worked in administrative services at the Bendemere Shire mobile respite service before establishing her own business which she directed for 6 successful years. Ree continues to manage the family property jointly with her husband. Ree has previously served as a Councillor for the former Bendemere Shire Council and continues to serve the region as a Councillor for the new Maranoa Regional Council. Ree is an avid supporter of local community groups and is personally involved with several organisations including: Local Disaster Management Group, Wallumbilla A & P Association, Wallumbilla Heritage Association, Wallumbilla Campdraft Association and Calico Cottage Craft Club.

David has also for the last four years held the position of President for the Queensland Country Press Association, which is representative of some 36 non daily newspapers within Queensland. While at their recent AGM David stood down from the position he has retained a role on the executive committee.

David has lived in Chinchilla for most of his life, is married to Vickie and has three daughters and seven grandchildren. David is a great addition to the board and brings with him his extensive experience with newspapers and an enthusiasm to help drive the profile of the corporation forward. David is passionate about making sure that Surat Basin communities benefit and grow during this boom.

DEEDI offers a range of services to individuals and businesses in all regions across the State. These include: Job opportunities and training; Business capability development, investment and trade; Technical support and innovative solutions for the entire supply chain; Marketing and promotional opportunities; Assistance in gaining access to resources and markets; Licences, permits and certification; Access to applied research and development; Access to skilled labour; Help with compliance to standards, codes and regulations and responses to animal and plant pests and diseases.

The Department reports to the Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade, Andrew Fraser; the Minister for Energy and Water Utilities, Stephen Robertson; the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies, Tim Mulherin; the Minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business, Jan Jarratt; The Minister for Main Roads, Fisheries and Marine Infrastructure, Craig Wallace; and the Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining, Stirling Hinchliffe.DEEDI attends the Surat Basin Corporation meetings as an observer. Mr Craig Rutledge, Director of Strategic Projects and Planning is the nominated representative for DEEDI.

Gavin also operated a cotton picking business for seven years. Gavin is committed to the continued strengthening of his community and region.  He has been involved in the Surat Basin Corporation from the beginnings, seeing the need & having the vision for such a body. Gavin is a member of the Dalby Chamber of Commerce & Industry, having been a management committee member for many years.  He is a Committee member of Crossing Cultures, a Christian body from a local church, supporting Missionaries internationally and within Australia.  Gavin is passionate about training and the up skilling of people, being closely involved with local Schools, Careers Expos and the like, offering work experience placements, site visitations and addressing students.

The development and maintaining of good communication and trusting relationships are very much a part of Gavin’s values.  Through future development and growth, Gavin’s vision is that the SBC will become a major strength in the area. He sees the need for being an employer of choice, a supplier of choice and being an active part of supporting a Region of choice.

Greg is a Director of Surat Basin Property Group, which includes Surat Basin Homes, Surat Basin Developments and Surat Basin Real Estate.  This group has fast become a property powerhouse in the region.  Based in Chinchilla, the 3 business units develop residential, industrial and commercial land, builds property on that land, and managers and sells property throughout the Surat Basin.  Surat Basin Homes, which has built more than 200 quality homes, was recently awarded ‘Business of the Year” by the CCCI (Chinchilla Community Commerce and Industry).

Greg comes from a very diverse business background. From owning a business software and training company, to retail operations employing up to 200 people. In his earlier days he was an Aeronautical Engineer working on the FA/18 Hornet aircraft.

Clearly a person with a strong community spirit, prior to his voluntary board role with the Surat Basin Regional Development Corporation, Greg was President of the Chinchilla and Tourism Development Association (CETDA) and has been involved with the Chinchilla Chamber of Commerce since the early 1990’s.

Greg’s passion and vision for the Surat Basin, his leadership qualities and depth of knowledge in industry, business and rural, combined with his local knowledge and history, make him a valued member of the board of this corporation.

The last 6 years of Dan’s career has been spent in a Queensland Business Development role covering all areas of the Queensland Civil and Mining Infrastructure market.

As CMC’s Queensland Business Development Manager, Dan is responsible for driving the business development function across the Queensland civil, mining and building markets to identify new business opportunities, marketing/brand enhancement, preparing business and marketing plans and strategising for continued growth.

Dan is an active member of the CCF – Civil Contractor’s Federation and also sits on the committee of the GEA – Gladstone Engineering Alliance.

Staff

Shane has been interested in the economic development of our region since his tenure as President of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. Shane has, since its inception, sat on Toowoomba Regional Council Economic Development Advisory Board, and was appointed in October 2010 as its inaugural Chief Executive Officer.

The future Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise will act as an independent economic and infrastructure development organisation which will be instrumental in promoting that which we all already know – that is, that Toowoomba and the Surat Basin are fantastic places to live and do business. With solid agricultural and manufacturing sectors, strong and well respected educational facilities, and an emerging energy and resource sector, we are well positioned for growth and prosperity.

Stacey enjoys applying her customer service and marketing experience with her theoretical marketing and HR knowledge to ensure positive and beneficial interactions between the SBC and its stakeholders.