Our Board

Robyn Sermon is an Executive Leader and Board Director with nearly 30 years of experience in developing strategy, transforming teams and leading in the mining, agriculture, community and research sectors. She is highly regarded for team development and transformation across diverse portfolios and geographical regions with a strong regional focus and commitment to working with local communities.

Ms Beck is a Bibbulmun Noongar woman with specialist expertise in Aboriginal economic development and community development. She is the Executive Manager, Cultural Integration at Ruah Community Services, based in Perth. Ms Beck has held a range of leadership positions across the Aboriginal community sector, including Chair of the Yued Aboriginal Corporation, Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Advisory Council of Western Australia, and Deputy Chair of the Council of Aboriginal Services of Western Australia.

Anthony (Tony) O’Gorman secured the state seat of Joondalup in 2001 and served as its representative for twelve years. In 2014, Tony and his family settled in Jurien Bay, where he immersed himself in local governance. Initially serving as a Club Development Officer, he later assumed the role of Economic Development Manager for the Shire. Tony retired from his Shire positions in July 2022, but remains a resident of Jurien Bay. In October 2023, Tony successfully campaigned for a position on the Shire of Dandaragan Council, becoming its Shire President. He remains dedicated to fostering the development of Jurien Bay into a prominent tourism destination and ensuring fair economic and community growth throughout the Shire.

Melanie Brown is the President of the Shire of Trayning and brings extensive leadership experience across regional development, local government, health and education. She is the Manager Corporate Services at Trayning Primary School and farms with her family as part of a fourth-generation broadacre farming enterprise in Trayning.

With over 25 years of experience in financial services, business development, marketing, and the not-for-profit sector, Lucy has held senior roles in WA and Melbourne before returning to Perth. She co-owns a broadacre farming business in the Wheatbelt and runs her own consulting firm. Lucy serves on the Board of the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) and volunteers with St John Ambulance Australia and other community initiatives. Passionate about strengthening local communities, she is dedicated to sustaining and advancing agribusiness for future generations.

Shane Kay is the Chief Executive Officer of the Moora Group WA (including Moora Citrus, Northern Valley Packers and Sandgroper Fruits) and a Director of peak industry body, Citrus Australia and Delite Growers of Australia. He possesses over 30 years experience in citrus production, packing and exporting and is a grower collaborator for research in the citrus industry.

Renee Manning, a long-term Wheatbelt resident, has deep ties to the Central East sub-region. Seconded to the Commission from DPIRD in 2021, she was appointed Director of Regional Development in 2024. Renee also serves as Deputy President of the Shire of Merredin. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, an alumnus of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, and an Australian Certified Economic Developer. Renee is committed to supporting regional communities in preparing and planning for growth.