About the Committee

The Committee for Greater Shepparton was established in 2013. Guided by its four strategic pillars, it has been active in all areas of improving the economic development and liveability of Greater Shepparton.

Our Vision

"To be the Australian centre for dairy and horticulture, exporting reliable premium quality fresh and value added produce via innovative practices and world class irrigation systems. As a major business centre, we will be connected to the world through modern infrastructure and supported by a thriving and educated community that celebrates its rich culture and diversity."

Strategic Pillars

-- Click on each Pillar for more information --

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Productivity is vital for our economic development. The Productive pillar includes initiatives around water policy, and agricultural and manufacturing investment.

Productive Community

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To reach our potential we must embrace our creativity. Creativity encompasses all facets of arts and culture, but also has a part to play in the design of our region and industries.

Creative Community

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To be a vibrant 21st century region we must have connectivity to the rest of Australia and the world. This includes rail and road networks, digital connectivity, and establish relationships with decision makers.

Connected Community

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It is important that all residents of our region participate in our economy. All cultures, groups and individuals must feel that they are an important and included part of the community.

Inclusive Community

Our Board

-- Click on each Board Member for their bio --

Anne McCamish

Lesley is a principal lawyer and director of Dawes & Vary Riordan Lawyers. She was one of the inaugural Law Institute of Victoria Commercial Tenancy Law Specialists (1999-2015). She heads the firm's Property and Retail Leasing Group and practices extensively in Commercial and Agricultural property transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and property related Water Law issues. Lesley's advises high wealth individuals, property developers, business owners, agriculturalists and government bodies. She also plays a key role in the management of the law firm. Lesley loves living in the Goulburn Valley and is a strong advocate for the region. Through her involvement with the Committee for Greater Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley Bypass Action Group she lobbies for better outcomes for the region. She is also particularly passionate about supporting local students to enjoy the same educational opportunities and outcomes as their city counterparts. She is a committed champion of the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Group, the Goulburn Valley Community Fund Lift-Off scholarship programs, and the law firm's partnership with a local primary school, all of which support educational outcomes.

Lesley Hart
Board Chair

Warren Hicks

Leigh is a Director of Shepparton based engineering firm CAF Consulting employing over 30 people. Leigh grew up in Shepparton before leaving to study Civil Engineering at Monash University and worked across various civil infrastructure development projects in Melbourne. In pursuit of large-scale project experience five years was spent in the United Kingdom on Motorway and Airport Development – notably Terminal 5 Heathrow which bought him back to Melbourne Airport where he led various landside and airside development projects for APAM. Project Finance was key to infrastructure development which led Leigh into further studies and an investment banking role with Citigroup. An opportunity to come home to Shepparton and join the family business presented in 2009, which Leigh initially committed to for 2 years. Having witnessed firsthand the professional talent and exciting projects being undertaken across the Greater Shepparton region, Leigh and his family have immersed into Shepparton for the long term where he plays an active role in the community, holding positions on the Infrastructure Goulburn Valley (INGV) Committee and Board Member of the Shepparton Festival.

Leigh Findlay
Deputy Chair

Rob Priestley

Rob Priestly, is a Director of the family company Gouge Linen and Garment Services. Gouge employs approximately 270 staff with the main operation based in Greater Shepparton. The company services businesses across Victoria from distribution centres in Bendigo, Geelong, Ballarat Bayswater, Tullamarine and Rosebud. Key clients are from health, food processing, and hospitality industries. Before joining the company, Rob worked in domestic, then export grain trading. Rob is married with three sons. “Our region has seen a increase in confidence and Investment, but strong advocacy is more important than ever. We need to continue build on our progress as a community tackling our problems, and capitalise on the opportunities for investments in our region”

Rob Priestly

Damien Trezise

As Managing Director of McPherson Media Group, Damian is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the group, encompassing commercial printing, custom publishing, events, and all newspaper and online publishing assets. Schooled in business management both here and overseas, Damian is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and committed to preserving the family values of the McPherson Media Group and its dedication to the communities it serves. In addition to his duties as Managing Director, Damian has previously been a member of the CEO Institute and served on the Boards of the Goulburn Valley Community Fund, GOTAFE, Country Press Australia and as the Chairman of the Victorian Country Press Association where he remains a Director. Other positions he currently holds include; Director of Regional Dailies Victoria, local member of Rotary, an inaugural and ongoing committee member of Shepparton’s Biggest Blokes Lunch while he also sits on the Board and Audit and Finance Committee of Goulburn Valley Grammar School.

Damian Trezise

David McKenzie

Sönke Tremper is the co-founder and director of Giz A Break Limited, a registered charity that wraps health promotion into an off-road touring format. He also is the owner of Primary Projects Pty Ltd, a management consultancy that focusses on partnering with community and healthcare organisations. He is passionate about combining his governance, population health, and business management skills to achieve sustained benefits for our community. Sönke is a non-executive director of Murray City Country Coast GP Training and volunteers his time as the chair of Goulburn Valley Medical Workforce Fund. He is proud to be the president of Dookie Primary School. Sönke is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds tertiary qualifications in public health and commerce. He lives in Dookie with his wife Louise and children Anneliese and Johan. In his free time, Sönke loves off-road touring with his family and friends.

Sönke Tremper

David McKenzie

With a passion for rural and regional development, Jane enjoys her current position as Principal town planner with Spiire in Shepparton. Jane forms part of the consultant team at Spiire, assisting in a wide variety of land development projects and strategic land use assessments. She also oversees the business’ Town Planning and Urban Design Practice Area across Spiire’s six offices. Prior to Shepparton Jane lived and worked in Melbourne, where she was born, Bendigo and Mornington Peninsula, as well as internationally in Dublin, Ireland. Jane now lives with her husband Damian on their family dairy farm near Cobram, along with their three daughters. Jane enjoys being part of the local community and actively participates on the St Joseph’s Cobram Primary School Advisory Board and with the Cobram Junior Tennis Association. Jane was also part of the 2018 Fairley Leadership Program cohort. As part of the C4GS she looks forward to advocating for progress and positive recognition of what our local area has to offer.

Jane Macey

David McKenzie

Sarah Thomson is the General Manager of Commercial (Chief Financial Officer) for Goulburn Valley Water. She moved to Shepparton in 2017 and has been delighted about the community she found here. She passionate about ensuring that the region is prosperous, a terrific place to live and continuing the culture of strong, diverse and inclusive leadership in our community. Sarah started her career at Deloitte and has worked for Gundjehmi Aboriginal Corporation, World Vision, Burnet Medical Research Institute and most recently WaterAid Australia. Sarah is currently a Board Member of THREE (Towards Human Rights for Everyone Everywhere) Foundation and was previously an Audit Committee member at the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre. Sarah is a Chartered Accountant, she has Bachelor of Economics and Asian Studies (Australian National University) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sarah Thompson

Executive Team

Sam Birrell

Sam graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor Applied Science (Agriculture) in 2003. He worked as a horticultural agronomist in the Goulburn Valley, and from 2008 to 2016, was agronomist with global micro irrigation pioneers Netafim, in which capacity he worked across Australia and New Zealand. In March 2016 Sam was appointed CEO of the Committee for Greater Shepparton. A lifelong resident of the region, he graduated from the Fairley Leadership program in 2013, and in 2017 graduated with an M.B.A from La Trobe University. He chairs the Latrobe University Shepparton campus regional advisory board and is on the board of Rumbalara Football Netball club.

Sam Birrell
CEO

Deanne Armstrong

As Membership and Marketing Manager for Committee for Greater Shepparton, Deanne is responsible for consultation with current members, engaging new members, and marketing of the members and committee. Members are a core function of the Committee and with experience in a range of industries, Deanne will consult with all members to help understand their business. Deanne has experienced a range of industry sectors including hospitality, retail and business, allowing her to provide workplace and classroom based training for companies such as Hungry Jacks, Nandos and Boost Juice. Deanne has also worked for Victoria Police at the Glen Waverley Police Academy, Eastern Region Headquarters Knox and Divisional Office in Shepparton for a total of 4 years. Moving on to Goulburn Murray Water for 12 months as a Modernisation Coordinator where her experience growing up on dairy, beef and grazing farms was beneficial. Now working for the Committee for Greater Shepparton, Deanne brings a range of skills and knowledge to help support and drive the region and community into the future. Deanne has recently completed the Fairley Leadership Program in 2017, which has helped develop her community awareness, management and leadership skills. She is also a committee member for the Blue Ribbon Foundation, assisting in raising funds for GV Health in Shepparton, to improve facilities and treatment of patients.

Deanne Armstrong
Membership & Marketing Manager

Deanne Armstrong

Melanie is the Office Manager at the Committee for Greater Shepparton where she is responsible for all administration duties including finances, social media, website, event planning and assisting both the CEO and Membership and Marketing Manager. Melanie joined C4GS at the end of 2019 having previously worked for The Tax Shop for 3 year. Melanie has wealth of experience in administration having worked in the transport industry, hospitality and plumbing. Melanie settled in Mooroopna 10 years ago having grown up in Townsville and spent most of her time in North Queensland on Daydream and Long Island, Toowoomba and Brisbane. She has two wonderful children (15 and 6) and strong relationships with people from within the community. In her spare time Melanie enjoys camping, running and renovating her home and is on the Committee for the Shepparton Runners Club and Mooroopna Primary School.

Melanie McAuliffe
Office Manager

About the Committee

Strategic Pillars

Our Board

Executive Team

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