Our Board

Robert Cossart has been CEO of the Wheatbelt Development Commission since March 2020. As CEO, he is committed to establishing industry and government partnerships and ensuring the Commission is a respected partner in guiding policy and investment decisions for the region. His advocacy for the Wheatbelt promotes the region as a place to live, work, visit and invest. In January 2023, Mr Cossart was appointed as the State Recovery Coordinator to lead the State Government’s recovery and reconstruction taskforce in response to widespread destruction caused by flooding from ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie in the Kimberley region.

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.

Oral McGuire is a prominent Noongar community leader, landholder and long-term champion of Aboriginal economic empowerment and capacity building, with specific experience in traditional land and fire management practices and cultural governance. He is a Director of the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Chair of the Noongar Landholder Enterprise Inc. and a member of the RegenWA Steering Committee.

Rosemary Madacsi has spent more than 40 years in remote and regional communities as a nurse, environmental consultant, leader in local government, and in family businesses. She is a passionate regional advocate and initiator and has served on numerous key regional local government and community committees. As an active councillor, Rural Water Council executive, and member of the WA Feral Pig Advisory Group, she maintains broad interests in ethnography, climate change, and regional development.

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.

Kerryn Chia has a diverse background having worked in the agricultural sector, academia, the corporate sector and local government. She is the fourth generation in a southern Wheatbelt farming family and is currently an active business partner in a mixed enterprise family farm. Ms Chia has also completed a doctoral research project whilst living in the Wheatbelt and brings her research and analytical skills to her role on the Board. She is passionate about the long term sustainability of rural communities and her current work with the Shire of West Arthur includes strategic planning, community consultation and economic development.

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.