Board Member Profiles

	CHAIRMAN – BRENDAN CUDDIHY I have a Bachelor of Laws degree and am a qualified solicitor. I have been in business in the Gympie for over 30 years. I have been willingly involved in community service projects for many years. I believe that if the community supports you have an obligation to give back to the community. My work and private background have given me some insight into dealing and working with people who have a disability. Being a member of the Board has given me the opportunity to assist in a much needed cause. It has also given me the opportunity to work with the truly dedicated staff of Jobmatch. I have an interest in food, wine and sport. I am a member of the Gympie Cooloola Rotary Club.

	VICE-CHAIRMAN– SIMON THOMAS Simon joined the board of Jobmatch in 2005 with an interest in disability employment support and a desire to contribute to the local community. Simon currently runs his own Financial Planning and Insurance Practice and has done since 1994 and has been a member of the Gympie Apex club since 1996.

	TREASURER – ERIC STREAT Eric is a self funded retiree, and has lived in Gympie region since January 2004, after relocating from Victoria. He had almost 30 years experience with the National Australia Bank, in a variety of roles from branches and administration (in Queensland) to the bank’s Information Technology section in Melbourne. He is involved with the Gympie and District Community Centreplace, as Treasurer on the Management Committee, and as a volunteer computer tutor. Eric is also involved in the sporting bodies with Gympie Valleys Cricket Club and Gympie/Cooloola Veterans Tennis Association. Eric’s son, Adam is a client of Jobmatch.

	COMMITTEE MEMBER - GARRY DAVISON Garry is taking leave for a while to be the Local Area Coordinator for Southern Wide Bay Burnett with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, but will remain on the Management Committee during this time. Garry has managed Jobmatch in Gympie since its inception in 1992. Prior to this, he ran his own business for 9 years until its sale in 1991. During this time he also spent 6 years as an Alderman on Gympie City Council, where he was Chairman of the Administration and Finance Committee. Garry has considerable experience in the Disability field being the current Treasurer of the National Peak Body for Disability Employment (ACE). He has also previously held both the Chairman and Vice Chairman positions of ACE. As well as this he has also been instrumental in: The establishment of South Burnett Jobmatch in Kingaroy. Obtained funding from Apex to trial a programme supporting people with significant disabilities in employment in State Schools. This trial resulted in the State Government fully funding a further trial placing 7 people with significant disabilities in schools in our region Garry has also been Gympie’s representative on the Sunshine Coast Regional Communities Committee for 4 years.

	COMMITTEE MEMBER – NEVILLE MCHARG Nev McHarg is a fourth generation resident of the Gympie area and joined the board of Jobmatch in 1992. He is currently in his third term as chairman of Jobmatch. Nev is also chairman of the Gympie branch of Crimestoppers, a world-wide organisation. He is editor of The Gympie Times and has worked in the newspaper industry for more than 40 years. Nev has had a long association with a number of organisations in the Gympie region and was part of the management committee of Gympie Hockey Association for about 25 years, having served as both secretary and assistant secretary for many years as well as coaching a number of representatives sides. When his two sons were younger he also served on Gympie Junior Cricket Association and Gympie Amateur Athletics Association and was an inaugural member of the Rainbow Beach Junior Lifesavers Club, serving on that committee in a number of roles including club president. He was also a competing member of the Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club for about 25 years. Nev joined the board of Jobmatch to give something back to the community and because of his concerns about the well-being and welfare of his fellow citizens having a special empathy for those with disability.

	COMMITTEE MEMBER – ANNA GRANTLEY Anna joined the Jobmatch Board in 2005, and brought with her 12 years of experience of life with a disability. Having acquired a vision impairment, Anna has experienced life from ‘both sides of the fence’, giving her a lived experience of the impacts of disability, and its effects within the workplace. Anna facilitates the Client Group, assisting other clients to stage monthly meetings, sharing information about what is happening within Jobmatch and the wider community. These meetings are also a great opportunity for all clients to have a say, and be actively involved in Peer Support. A social group is also attached to this group, and proves to be a popular experience for many. Anna has also been involved in other areas of community service, and formerly enjoyed working as a private music teacher, before changing paths towards administration and community services. Anna’s interest in the betterment of life for all people with disability, the opportunities now afforded with the changing attitudes towards people with disability, and views the evolving expectations of government regarding all people with the ability to work as an opportunity for personal empowerment. With these changing expectations, Anna believes the importance of sound management, at all levels, has never been greater, and is keen to continue to be part of this process, to provide the best opportunities and outcomes for all involved.

	COMMITTEE MEMBER – KERRY ROLFE I was born in Gympie in 1957. Went to Kia-Ora State School and then the Gympie State High School. I have a Bachelor or Regional and Town Planning Degree from the University of Queensland graduating in 1978. My work experience is very largely with Local Government having commenced work at Widgee Shire Council. I then moved to Mareeba Shire Council having married Dennis in 1980. We then lived in Maryborough where my children Renee and Jaclyn were born. I returned to the workforce working for Nanango Shire Council before moving to Banana Shire Council. We moved back to Gympie in 1997 when I started work at Maroochy Shire Council. In November 1999 I commenced work for Cooloola Shire Council and am now the Manager Strategic Planning with the Gympie Regional Council.

	COMMITTEE MEMBER – LYNDA MCLEOD I am married and have lived in Tin Can Bay for the past 35years and have three adult children. I became involved in working with people with disabilities when family members had problems and this carried through after I commenced work at Centrelink and becoming the Centrelink Disability Officer. I filled this role for 4 years and enjoyed helping people to get to a place in their lives where they were able to start becoming more self sufficient, either through gaining paid employment or simply having a social life. I became involved with Jobmatch through that role and have been happy to serve on the board now that I am not directly involved in making referrals to them so there is no conflict of interest.

	COMMITTEE MEMBER – GEORGE SPRINGHALL George has worked in Gympie since 1988 as a General Practitioner and has worked as the Senior On Call for Gympie General Hospital. George trained at Royal Brisbane, Royal Children’s and Redcliffe Hospitals. He has also worked for the Flying Doctor Service for two years and been an instructor for Pre Hospital Trauma Management for Queensland Health. His hobbies include wooden boats, kayaking and reading.