March 25, 2015
Durong grazier George Somerset has been appointed one of six members to the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Development Australia (RDA) committee.
Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss announced the new appointments today.
Mrs Somerset will join Bundaberg Mayor Malcolm Forman, Janelle Gerry, from Farm Fresh Fine Foods at Bundaberg; Ben Ellingsen, from Ellingsen Partners Accountants, Gympie; and North Burnett councillor Joanne Dowling on the committee.
The former Wide Bay Burnett Regional Executive Director for Education Queensland and RDA WBB treasurer, Kirsti Kee, has been re-appointed.
Mrs Somerset was last year nominated as one of the “100 Women of Influence” in the rural category in awards sponsored by The Australian Financial Review and Westpac .
She is vice-president of Queensland AgForce, a Board member of the QRAA and the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, chair of the Red Earth Community Foundation and a Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
“These new committee members’ skills and experiences will strengthen the RDA and improve its capacity to assist in the development of the Wide Bay Burnett region,” Mr Truss said.
“One of the key roles of RDA committees is to provide advice to government on activities that unlock economic development and improve productivity in their local regions.
“RDA committees also identify critical issues in each region and increase awareness of Australian Government programs.
“I look forward to seeing the Wide Bay Burnett RDA continue its work in assisting local community stakeholders to develop project proposals and promote the Australian Government’s $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund.”
Regional Development Australia consists of a national network of 55 committees across the nation that focus on regional economic development.
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