Board Directors
JOHN S IRWIN LLB
Chairman
John commenced his education at Carey Baptist Grammar. He went on to study at Melbourne University where he completed a Bachelor of Laws and was then admitted to practice at the Victorian Bar. He is a member of both the Victorian and New South Wales Law Societies and was a partner of Irwin and Richards from 1971 – 2000. John is now a barrister and solicitor practicing in commercial property law as a Consultant to Martin Irwin & Richards. John is an adjunct professor appointed by La Trobe University (Melbourne).

John is actively involved in the development of many major projects within the Mildura region and has a genuine belief that there is a great potential for this area.

John is Chairman of the Barkindji Biosphere Ltd (a UNESCO Project) as well as being actively involved in the development of many major projects within the Mildura region. He has a genuine belief that there is a great potential for this area.

John was formerly involved as President of the Mildura Lawn Tennis Club (19 years), Chairman of the Mildura Arts Centre Committee (5 years), a Foundation Member of the TAFE steering committee and initial council (7 years), a Board member of St Josephs College from 1995 – 1998, a Member of the Victorian Liberal Task Force on Development 1998 – 1999, Chairman of the Sunraysia Regional Strategy Plan, Chairman of the Mildura Tourism Authority, a Director of Parks Victoria from 1997 – 2000, Finance Chairman of the Australian Inland Botanical Gardens and was also involved with the Sunraysia Development Corporation.

MARTIN HILL
Treasurer
Martin Hill grew up in Mildura and was educated at St Paul’s Primary School and Mildura High School. He left the area in 1985 to attend university in Ballarat where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Studies (Accounting).

Martin then moved to Melbourne and spent most of the next 11 years, apart from an 18 month overseas working holiday, in several different accounting and management roles with Gibson Chemical Industries.

In 1999 Martin returned to Mildura with his wife Kerrie and their 3 pre-school age children, Jeremy, Nathan and Timothy. He commenced employment with Bidgee Finance Limited where he is the Managing Director.

Martin is on the committee of the Imperials Football Club and the Imperials Junior Football Club and was recently the president of the Coomealla Triathlon Club. His other recreational pursuits include kayaking, tennis and his children’s various sporting activities.

MIKE MOONEY
Director
Mike has been employed in various areas of the Telstra organisation since 1981, he moved to the Sunraysia area in 2000 to join the newly formed Telstra Country Wide(r) as the Commercial Business Manager. He was appointed to the role of Area General Manager for North West Victoria in January 2003, leading a team dedicated to improving telecommunications sales and service to customers across the Sunraysia, Mallee and West Wimmera districts.

With qualifications in Computing, Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Management, and a range of job roles in property management and contract administration, Mike's role with Telstra Country Wide now finds him working with all areas of customers through internet, mobile and fixed line telecommunications services to web hosting and the latest in satellite & wireless data technology solutions.

Being a board member of the Sunraysia Area Consultative Committee, a member of the Mildura Senior College School Council, and involvement with many family & sporting interests, uses any spare time available.

CR VERNON KNIGHT AM
Director
Vernon was "posted" to Mildura in 1979 to manage the establishment of Mallee Family Care. His efforts were rewarded with a membership of the Order of Australia for Services to the Community, a Tattersall's Award for Enterprise and Achievement and the Equity Trustees Award, CEO of the Year - Long Term Achievement. In his second term on Council, Vernon's Primary Portfolio is Community and Economic Development with Arts and Education as his secondary. Vernon is a member of the La Trobe University Advisory Committee where his work has been recognised with an Adjunct Professorship in Social Work. Vernon is also involved with Sunrise 21 (Deputy Chairman), Victorian Regional Rail Alliance, Mallee Regional Waste Management Group, Chances for Children Board, Council Audit Committee and Northern Mallee Primary Care Partnership. Vernon and his wife Christine have six children and are actively involved in many community activities.

GARY SIMPSON
Director
Gary Simpson is the Chief Executive Officer of SMGT, which is one of the largest employers in the region, currently employing almost 400 apprentices and trainees in north-west Victoria and south-west New South Wales.

Gary was a police officer for almost nineteen years and finished his career as Officer-in-Charge of training and development. Gary then held a senior position in a national building and construction entity before his appointment to SMGT.

Gary is active on local community Boards including Access Employment Sunraysia for people with disabilities, Mildura KODE campus for indigenous children, Mildura South Kindergarten, Northern Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network and Mallee Community Skills Development.

Gary is passionate about the region and the role that employment and training will play in economic development. He holds tertiary qualifications in public administration, justice administration and vocational education and training.

Gary has five children aged 5 to 17 years and is an avid fan of rock band U2.

OWEN RUSSELL
Director
Owen Russell is the General Manager – Communication and Development with Lower Murray Water which is the regional Urban and Rural Water Authority in the Mallee.

He commenced his working life with Sunraysia Rural Water where he was an Executive Officer for a local Salinity Management Implementation Committee. He then progressed within the same organisation to be the Manager of Development Services before the amalgamation with Lower Murray Water in 2004 where he was appointed to his General Manager’s role. Owen has worked in the water industry for the past 11 years.

Owen is currently a Board member of the Sunraysia Mallee Economic Development Board, member CRC for Irrigation Futures Technical Committee and Chair of the Regional Algal Coordination Committee.

He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management Communication and is also a member of the Australian Institute of Management.

MARIAN LUEHMAN
Director
Marian Luehman has over 28 years experience in human services and is the Chief Executive Officer of Sunraysia Residential Services Inc (SRS).

Marian has a background in training and education, and has continued her studies with a list of tertiary qualifications including a Bachelor of Social Sciences, Associate Diploma of Education, Graduate Diploma in Counselling and six TAFE Certificate IV qualifications.

In 1999 Marian was awarded Business Woman of the Year by the Australian Federation of Business and Professional Women. In 2001 she was awarded a Department of Human Services Study and Travel scholarship in recognition for expertise and abilities and in 2006 was awarded Outstanding Contribution by an Individual at the Powercor Prime Business Excellence Awards.

Marian has dedicated over ten years in voluntary roles with the Office of Public Advocate of Victoria and is also member on state, national and regional boards and committees representing people with disabilities.

Marian’s interests outside of work include renovating and designing furniture and spending time with her husband Michael Marks and children Jodi, Stacie, Mark and Kirsten.