Our Board

Bio

Gary has been a board member of Central NSW Business HQ since December 2012 and has been Chair of the Board for the past 3 years.

Gary’s early career was within banking and financial planning, a total of 19 years. He commenced his board career some 25 years ago. His first board position was as Managing Director of a public offer superannuation fund distributor and manager. Since that time Gary has directed his energy to community Not For Profit organisations, whilst still engaging in the management of family companies as well as engaging within the home construction industry. 

Gary is the current Chair of Wangarang Industries Limited. Wangarang is a community organisation that employs 120 people with disabilities. Gary has been on the board of Wangarang since December 2009. Gary also currently sits on the Management Committee of Breona Residential Services Limited. Breona is a community organisation providing and managing group housing for people with disabilities. Gary has been a member of this committee for almost 10 years. Gary is also currently a member of Orange City Council’s Community Sports and Recreation Consultative Committee as well as council’s Economic Development Community committee.

Gary is dedicated to sustainability and improvement of business activity within regional NSW and as such gives his time freely to those organisations that would benefit from his insights and experience. Gary has a can do attitude and has been a mentor to senior managers and executives over the past 10 plus years.

Bio

As a regular visitor to the region for over 10 years, Christie and her family finally made the move from Sydney to Orange in January 2021 where they live on a few acres just out of town.

Christie holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters of Human Resource Management from the University of Western Sydney and Charles Sturt University respectively. 

Christie is an experienced public company executive with strong people and governance skills and experience leading organisations through large scale transformations. Christie also serves as Chairperson of a not-for-profit organisation promoting the advancement of women in Gaming & Hospitality industries across Australia and New Zealand.

With a passion for helping regional communities to thrive, Christie joined the Board in March 2022 and was elected Deputy Chair in January 2023.

Bio

Ben has a Bachelor of Education (Secondary Human Movement and Health Education), a Masters of Business (Human Resources and Marketing) and a Masters of Nursing from the University of Sydney and is currently the Director of Clinical Innovation for Ramsay Connect – his role and focus is on delivering change, health reform and innovation in how we deliver healthcare across Australia. He has a wealth of experience in managing change and driving innovation and operational performance across tertiary, primary and community aged care and is passionate about models of integration across sectors, chronic disease management and hospital avoidance.

Ben came to nursing later in his career after starting out in Human Resources management including experience across Human Resources, Recruitment and Restructuring. However, the love of change and innovation drew him towards health in his early 30s. Ben has a passion for leading organisational change, creating high-performing team cultures and business turnaround and has been a member of the BizHQ Board since late 2022.

Bio

Wendy has extensive management and business operations experience, excellent networks, and a substantial track record in stakeholder relations across the government, business and not-for-profit sectors.

Her qualifications are in the Social Sciences / Business and work experience varied. She began her career as a teacher; moved into management in the for purpose sector; led the social sustainability function of Australia’s largest retail bank for a decade; headed up a social/economic research consultancy with a focus on regional development; joined the leadership teams of two social innovation start ups; and most recently consulted to a resources company that is seeking approval for a gold mine in central NSW. The common thread is a focus on the future and using capability development/data/evidence/story to create a better tomorrow.

Wendy sits on the NSW Government Expert Panel for Royalties for Rejuvenation, the governance advisory board of a local school, is a graduate of the AICD and is actively involved in the community. She lives in Orange after moving from Sydney seven years ago – having grown up between Wellington and Mudgee, she regards moving back to central NSW as one of her best decisions!

Bio

Ian has been a resident of Orange for 35 years., having run an advertising and marketing business in the city since 1986. Ian also has run a small farm at Borenore on the outskirts of Orange growing cattle and grapes for 32 years before retiring from the business. During this time he has served on a number of Boards including – 

• serving for three terms on the Blayney Orange Cabonne Business Enterprise Centre (later Biz HQ) covering approx. 20 years, 
• Bathurst Business Enterprise Centre for 7 years, 
• Western Research Institute for more than 13 years, 
• Central Western Regional Development Board, 6 years (4 years as Chairman), 
• Area Consultative Council, 4 years, 
• Orana Regional Development Board, 2 years,
• Central West Regional Development Council , 2 years, 
• Central West Tourism NSW, 4 years, Orange 360  (Tourism) – 4 years 
• and for 10 years I served as a Councillor on Cabonne Council.

His focus in all Directorships/Board Appointments has been on Regional Development – ie Job Creation and/or the Sustainability of SMS Businesses with the aim to create employment opportunities.

Ian has a Marketing Degree (CSU), Marketing and Director degrees from AIM. He also has 29 years at The University of Hard Knocks under his belt – running my own business without going bankrupt.

Bio

Georgia has been working within leadership and organisational development for over twenty five years as an instructional designer, facilitator and coach. Much of her corporate work has been conducted through the NeuroLeadership Institute (NLI), a partnership that has lasted over twenty years.

Over that time, She has designed and delivered hundreds of leadership development programs and worked with thousands of managers around the world to support workplace engagement and performance. Georgia is passionate about brain-based learning and loves sharing her experience with business and leaders in regional NSW.

Since 2003 Georgia has lived in Orange NSW, where she has an established coaching and facilitation business, Lush Perspectives. With her clients, Georgia designs and delivers programs to enhance leadership, learning and change, employee engagement and performance.

Her qualifications include a Masters of Adult Education from UTS specialising in Organisational Development, and a Bachelor of Arts from Sydney University majoring in English and French literature. Georgia is also a Professional Certified Coach with Results Coaching Systems and a member of the International Coach Federation.

Bio

Tony is a long term Orange resident with a passion for supporting community. Tony’s community work started when he joined the NSW Police and was posted to Forbes. As well as general duties Tony worked as a police-student liaison officer and continued that role at the Police Community Youth Club in Orange.

Tony has served as president of the Orange Ratepayers Association and is the current President of the Orange and District Football Association and President of the Ex-Services Soccer Club (a role Tony has held for almost 30 years).

Tony has served two terms on the Orange City Council, holding positions within the Crime Prevention, Employment and Economic Development, and Traffic committees.

Tony is committed to community work particularly in the mental health and suicide prevention fields and has worked as a mentor to those experiencing hardship.

Tony brings broad skills and experience to the BizHQ Board and helps connect business and local government to enhance economic development in the region.

Bio

David moved to Orange in 1976 and founded a law practice Whiteley, Ironside & Shillington Solicitors. David was self-employed as a solicitor and retired in 2012. He is currently on the board of Ronald McDonald House, as well as a current member of Orange North Rotary and Orange Mens’ Probus Club.

He brings to the board a wealth of legal experience and business knowledge from his years as a self-employed solicitor.

His qualifications include Bachelor of Arts (UNSW) and Bachelor of Laws (USyd). David joined the Board in 2021.