Meet your Reference Group

Melva has made an outstanding contribution to regional Western Australia. She spent more than 20 years in the Pilbara region and grew up in Wyndham.

Melva was the first permanent female resident of the iron-ore mining town of Newman, a radio operator for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in Port Hedland, the first female manager of the Mayne Nickless Group in Western Australia and the first female president of the RFDS (Western Australian section).

Melva has run her own public relations and marketing business for many years now, and was instrumental in the publication of "Red Dust in Her Veins", 'which celebrates the contributions women have made to the Pilbara region of Western Australia, telling the personal stories of 12 different women who have spent a significant period of their lives in the Pilbara between the mid-1940s through to the present day.

For her work with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Melva was awarded the Order of Australia Medal and is an ambassador for the service in WA.

She has recently taken up the role of local manager for Kailis Pearls in Broome.

Melva was appointed to the Reference Group in March 2011.

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Paula Bray moved to Derby in March of 2009 with her husband and 3 children in a wholesale seachange. Paula works for the Kimberly School Of The Air, which means that she gets to visit students and their families in the Kimberly's most remote locations as well as being part of their daily routine through regular "air" lessons.

Paula grew up and was schooled in the Western suburbs of Sydney eventually commencing her Fine Arts degree at the College of Fine Arts. Taking a year off she worked and travelled in Europe, before returning home to get married and have children. In 1997 she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts ( Honours) degree and over the subsequent years fitted more than 30 exhibitions in Sydney, Melbourne and regional centres into a busy family life and working at the University Of Western Sydney. However much she loved her art, a love of paying bills and eating saw her return to full time study and gain her Master of Teaching degree in 2007.

Paula has what she considers to be a dream job in one of the worlds last great wilderness', meeting the unique children and women of the Kimberley across the towns, remote communities and grand cattle stations of Australia's far North West. She also recently returned to the Art world with her first exhibition in the Kimberley.

Paula views her role with RRR as an exciting opportunity to bring the abilities, needs and desires of the wonderful women of the Northwest into a brighter spotlight.

Paula was appointed to the Reference Group in January 2010.

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Arriving in Karratha for the second time in 1997, Margaret has been an active member of the community and joined several organisations including Safer WA, local drug action groups and St Johns Ambulance. She studied to become a Senior Ambulance Officer taking many shifts on the roster as active ambulance officer.

In her role as presenter on ABC North West radio for three years she developed extensive contacts and travelled across the Pilbara.

Margaret is a freelance photographer and journalist, who currently serves on the boards of the Small Business Development Corporation West Pilbara and the Karratha Visitor Centre.

Margaret was appointed to the Reference Group in March 2011.

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Jenifer grew up in the Wheatbelt on a sheep and wheat farm in Jennacubbine where the Jenna Tavern is very well known for the quality and size of the steaks! Jen lives in Northam with her husband Ray (who teaches at Northam Senior High School) and until recently her daughter Alexandra, who has just commenced studying a teaching degree at university in Perth - leaving both parents with empty nest syndrome!!

Jen is a Regional Officer with the Department of Sport and Recreation - Wheatbelt (DSR) based in Northam. The DSR is the lead agency responsible for the implementation of government policy and initiatives in sport and recreation. Regionally covering 43 shires, the role includes working in partnership with Clubs and Associations, local Government, individuals and other stakeholders in the development of sport and recreation, organisational and people development, participation, high performance, and infrastructure.

Tennis has been a very large part of Jen's life - having been involved a varying levels including coaching and administration roles for many years. She has worked towards the development of senior and junior tennis within the Central Districts region by providing coaching and playing development pathways for players to the Clubs within that region. She is passionate about providing country kids with the same opportunities as their city counterparts and works diligently toward this goal.

Jenifer has a special interest in women in sport and volunteers but is also interested in the availability of role-modelling and mentoring opportunities for young regional women.

Jenifer was appointed to the RRR Network Reference Group in January 2009.

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Karen Crouch moved to Kalgoorlie-Boulder as a newlywed in 1986. After studying at Kalgoorlie College (now Curtin) she started a computer consultancy business. Karen has been part of many community groups during her years in Kalgoorlie.

Currently involved with Goldfields Soccer Association (Treasurer), Goldfields Referees Association (Secretary), Boulder Primary P & C and Eastern Goldfields College P & C, WA Lutheran News (Editor). Karen is interested in educational and sporting opportunities for country people; the effects that working in a mining town has on the family and supporting women working in male dominated industries.

Karen was appointed to the RRR Network Reference Group in January 2009.

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Cathie lives in Albany with her son and daughter. Born in England, she migrated to Australia with her family when six years old, lived in Melbourne for seven years and moved to Albany with her family. While the family have since left, Cathie stayed on and spent most of the past 42 years as an Albany resident. She spent time traveling around Australia, living in both Darwin & Sydney for extended periods and always come home to Albany.

Cathie believes that, in this technologically advanced era, a national business can be based anywhere that a computer can be accessed. She is an advocate for the use of Facebook, YouTube and Twitter as business tools to connect you with a wider audience. Cathie has in the past worked in hospitality, sales, transport, commercial construction, human resources, IT and the music industry, in both government and private sectors. She currently has two businesses: a Human Potential Training Academy designing programs that use the latest in Mind Sciences and Cognitive Analysis to help clients achieve their highest potential in both professional & personal lives. She is a qualified Master Results Coach, Performance Consultant & Trainers of Neuro-Linguistic Programming & Neurological Repatterning©.

Cathie also has a Business Women's network to provide women with a fun, educational, and supportive environment to network, promote their business, meet new friends, and laugh unconditionally. She conducts an average of 15 events per year supporting women on their journey to fulfillment both professionally and personally.

When not busy with her businesses and renovating her property, Cathie enjoys exploring the coastline in her region, traveling overseas, being with her children and continuing her personal and professional development.

Cathie is passionate about supporting women in the regional areas to be and have all that they believe they can, and sees her role in the RRR as a fabulous extension of that.

Cathie was appointed to the Reference Group in January 2010.

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Penny moved to Kununurra in June 2008 and works as a Project Coordinator on an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) mango and mangosteen project in collaboration with Indonesia. She is also associated with a range of other projects in the Ord River Irrigation Area.

Penny grew up on a wheat/sheep farm just north of Wagin in the Upper Great Southern.

In Kununurra Penny is part of the local squash club, plays beach volleyball, tried her hand at Ultimate Frisbee for a while, is hoping to join a netball team next season (even though she is a devout hockey player) and is helping some of her friends get a local CWA going.

Penny was appointed to the RRR Network Reference Group in January 2009.

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Lola was born and raised in Carnarvon WA (Yinggarda country) and has lived in the North West of WA all her life, except 3 years living in Perth. Lola and her family have been living in Broome since 1995. She has two children and four grandchildren. She is a keen gardener, who also enjoys sewing, camping and fishing.

Lola has worked in Education for the last 24 years, as a classroom teacher, school development officer and currently as Aboriginal Languages Coordinator. For the past 16 years she has been working to support the implementation of Aboriginal Languages in Department of Education schools across WA. As a teacher-linguist, trainer, team teacher and support person to Aboriginal Languages Teachers across WA she has had the privilege of working with elders and younger people to revive and teach Aboriginal languages in schools.

As a RRR Network committee member Lola aims to be a point of contact for women and conduit for information to women and their families. She hopes her representation on the committee will develop an understanding of the role of Aboriginal Languages in education and more awareness of Aboriginal languages in the wider community.

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Natalie farms with her husband and their two girls on a broad acre cropping and livestock property at Yealering. She is actively involved in sporting, school and community groups in her local area and has served on many local, regional and state based committees and working groups.

Natalie has a broad understanding of rural and regional issues having lived and worked in rural WA for most of her life. Natalie has worked in Geraldton a Financial Counsellor and Co-ordinator of a community service agency. She has also assisted farming families experiencing financial difficulty during her time as a Rural Financial Counsellor based in Lake Grace.

For the past 15 years Natalie has undertaken part time consultancy work for community service organisations, local government and state government departments. Recent projects have involved writing consumer resource material, training manuals, training needs analysis, business and strategic plans and a feasibility study. In her work as a Community Development Officer (part time) with the Shire of Wickepin, Natalie has assisted community groups to expand their operations, improve services and upgrade community facilities.

Natalie was appointed to the RRR Network Reference Group in January 2009.

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Irene has lived all her life in rural WA and been actively involved in many community and sporting organisations as a tireless worker for lifestyle enhancement of rural people. Irene has worked for many years as an advocate for retention and improvement of health services to rural people.

Irene is currently Chairperson of The Avon & Western Health Advisory Council, is past Chairperson of the Friends of the National Rural Health Alliance, (NRHA) board and council member (was Chair from 2003 to 2008). She is a Judge of National Awards for Local Govt in the Health and Wellbeing category, for the years 2005, 06, 07 and 08 and was elected as an NRHA representative to the National Rural Women's Coalition in 2003 (elected Vice Chair in 2005, Chair in 2006 and currently secretary (2008).

Irene has had many role in other community groups and committees including Secretary of the Dalwallinu Tele-centre Management Committee, Chair of a Task force in 1998 for the then Minister of Health to review Governance structures for Rural Health in WA, a member from 2002 -2004 of the Active Ageing Taskforce of WA making recommendation to Government for Ageing in WA and in 2002 and 2006 was a member The Dry Season Social Welfare Committee for WA.

In 1996, Irene was awarded an Order of Australia AM for her services to health in Rural Communities, and in 1998 was awarded a Servicing Sister Medal from the St John Ambulance Association for her services to humanity. In 2001 she was recognised for her voluntary work in health by the National Health and Medical Research Council as 'West Australian Volunteer of the year'.

Irene was appointed to the RRR Network Reference Group in January 2009.

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Leonie is a born and bred Geraldton girl whose proudest achievements are her three now adult daughters. Leonie and her husband are Rock Lobster Fishers who spend four months a year living at the Abrolhos Islands situated 60 km off the Midwest coast. She is also an owner and Director of Diversity Charter Company, a charter company that is involved in showcasing the awesome beauty of the Kimberley coast from Broome to Whyndam.

Leonie has been both previously and currently involved in Fisheries Management as an industry leader in all capacities, from community and association level, to Ministerial Advisory Committee membership, and for a period of time was employed by the Department of Fisheries in positions involving Abrolhos Management. She is currently the Western Australian Director of the Women's Industry Network Seafood Community (WINsc), which is a national body of industry women who are passionate about both their industry and their communities, and is Deputy Chair of the Midwest/Gascoyne Regional Development Australia.

On the sporting front, Leonie enjoys watching her daughters expending excess energy in the water polo pool while she prefers to be less energetic and is involved with the sport of Clay Target shooting, where she has previously represented WA in two different disciplines of the sport.

Leonie believes her appointment and involvement with the RRR Network will allow her to both improve her knowledge of other regions and how each community utilises its support networks and creation of capacity building opportunities for women, and hopefully be able to impart some of the knowledge she has in these areas also.

Leonie was appointed to the Reference Group in January 2010.

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Following her graduation from the Muresk Institute of Curtin University with a Bachelor of Agribusiness "Farm Management", with Honours, Sally has been working as the Natural Resource Management fficer, working with farmers within the Shire of Bruce Rock.

Sally is keen for the RRR network in WA to extend out and network with young women attending rural universities and young professional women in regions.

Sally was appointed to the Reference Group in January 2007 and re-appointed for a second term in January 2009.

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Sally was unknowingly drawn back to her home town of Woodanilling for its freedom and opportunities to be involved in a range of fun and meaningful activities. Her passion for environmental sustainability and community governance has been nurtured through her upbringing, employment, extra-curricular activities and her basic desire for everyone on the planet to have a happy healthy life! Seizing opportunities to travel and live overseas through a range of organisations has developed her understanding of the diversity of people, values, lifestyles, environment and an appreciation for differences.

Her enthusiasm for people and culture was realised after finishing high school, when she spent a year on Rotary Youth Exchange in rural Brazil. After graduating from Murdoch University with a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Development, Sally worked as the Community Landcare Coordinator for the Wagin / Woodanilling Landcare Zone for eight years. During this time she was involved in a wide range of projects to increase environmental awareness and social capacity, while improving resource condition. Sally has recently established her own business to continue her work with community development and sustainable agriculture.

Sally is keenly involved in community life, including environmental education and facilitation, service clubs, leadership, sport and recreation, event organisation and local promotion. She has a deep appreciation for strong community networks and the collaboration, resilience and enjoyment they provide. For her, the RRR network has provided inspiration, resources and many valuable contacts and conversations over the years. As a Reference Group member, Sally is keen for ladies (and men!) all over the State to tap into the great resources of this network, such as the RRR magazine, and feel empowered to leap into their next opportunity to improve and celebrate rural, regional and remote living.

Sally was appointed to the Reference Group in January 2010.

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Kirrilee lives at Yuna with her husband Brett on the family's 12,000ha mixed grain and sheep property. She is a born and breed farming person from the Chapman Valley region, who shares a passion for the agricultural industry with her family.

Kirrilee has a diverse background in Exercise and Health Science, Human Services, Natural Resource Management, and Planning; all with a common theme of people and community development. Kirrilee holds a Bachelor of Science qualification from the University of Western Australia, and is progressing towards the completion of a postgraduate diploma in Planning, focusing on social and community planning.

For the past eighteen months she has been employed as a planning officer at the Shire of Chapman Valley, and previous to this role was the Local Natural Resource Management Officer at the Shire for three years.

Kirrilee was appointed to the RRR Network Reference Group in January 2009.

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Dianne grew up in the eastern wheatbelt on a wheat and sheep farm, but has also lived in Port Hedland following her husband's work with Main Roads WA. Her three children commenced their education in Port Hedland and on moving back to Perth, she completed her Bachelor of Arts (ECE) and then a Bachelor of Education.

Dianne has now been living in Carnarvon for nearly eleven years, where she originally worked at Carnarvon School of the Air, then moved to Carnarvon Primary School undertaking the Getting it Right Literacy position and then a Deputy Principal role for a short term. She is now at East Carnarvon Primary School working with a Year 3 class and is involved with a wide range of community activities, including junior netball, lecturing at Carnarvon TAFE and assisting with community arts activities.

Dianne also has her own fashion designing business creating bridal, formal wear and servicing general community sewing needs. She was named the '2002 WA Netball Volunteer of the Year' in recognition of the significant, lasting and real service to the Carnarvon community and the Midwest Gascoyne Netball Region.

Dianne recognises that the Gascoyne Region is a remote community and due to limited services and resources, because of its isolation, is keen to engage women in working towards positive self development. She is keen to represent the region in highlighting the need for; educational opportunities for educators and students with a broader range of services which includes Early Childhood through to Tertiary Education; more regular and good quality services being provided for women's health and health promotion in the community; and having more support structures in place to assist with isolation from family and friends.

Dianne was appointed to the Reference Group in January 2008.

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