The Board » RDA Illawarra

Eddy De Gabriele - Chairman

Eddy De Gabriele

Eddy is the Managing Director of the highly successful and award winning Edmen Group. Edmen Group is a major employer in the Illawarra business community and a market leader in the recruitment services and disability support industry.

Since 1990, Eddy has successfully built the Edmen Group business through honesty, integrity, strong ethical behaviour and consistency, strong financial management principles, genuine community participation and engagement, staff development and mentoring, innovation and decisive open leadership.

Edmen Group has received numerous business awards and Eddy has twice being awarded Business Person of the Year, in 2006 and 2008.

In addition to supporting local charities and disability organisations, Eddy is also Chairman of Football South Coast (the Illawarra’s new unified football association) and Chairman of the South Coast A-League Consortium.

Roger Summerill OAM - Deputy Chairman

Roger Summerill

Roger has spent many years in broadcasting and has extensive experience in announcing/presenting, interviewing, journalism, production, programming, marketing, administration, consulting and teaching.

He has held senior management positions at numerous radio stations, including 2GB and 2UW in Sydney, 2KA Western Sydney, the 6IX Radio Network in Western Australia, 2ST and PowerFM on the South Coast, WaveFM and the ABC. He was also responsible for the establishment of radio training at the Sydney Film and Television School.

For seven years Roger was Manager Local Radio NSW for the ABC and was responsible for managing 702 ABC Sydney and the NSW Local Radio Regional network. During this period, 702 ABC Sydney was named Station of the Year at a number of Local Radio Awards presentations. Since leaving the ABC in July 2007 he has worked as a consultant to ABC Local Radio.

In addition to being Deputy Chairman of RDA Illawarra, Roger is President and Chairman of The Illawarra Connection, Chairman of The Illawarra Grammar School and a member of the Anglican Media Council.

Roger received the Rod Murdoch Memorial Award 1996 for Outstanding Contribution to Regional Tourism in NSW and the Order of Australia Medal 1999 for services to tourism.

Peter O'Rourke - Treasurer

Peter O'Rourke

Peter has worked for Shellharbour City Council in a number of management capacities since 1986. He is currently Director of Community Planning and Strategies, incorporating economic development, community services, corporate planning, human resources, and land use planning.

Peter was previously a member of the Illawarra Area Consultative Committee and currently also holds directorships with Illawarra ITeC, IRIS and the Illawarra Housing Trust. Peter has an MBA in Public Sector Management and a Diploma in Local Government Management. Peter's particular interest remains planning and working towards Illawarra communities that are sustainable, particularly economically and socially. Peter is also a delegate to the Southern Councils Group.

Greg Fisher - Secretary

Greg Fisher

Greg is the CEO of the Illawarra Business Chamber. He has worked in a number of management positions since 1985, including senior management roles in local government, community services and the private sector.

He holds three degrees from the University of Wollongong, including an MBA and Master of Business Coaching and his interests are in supporting business and the community in the Illawarra to grow and prosper.

Helen Backhouse

Helen has worked in the community services industry for 27 years and for the past 18 years has been the Executive Officer of the Illawarra Forum Inc, the Illawarra region’s peak organisation for the non-government community services sector. Helen has also worked in the fields of sexual assault counselling, family services, community development and services for older people and people with disabilities.

Helen has a Master of Social Work and certificates in Training and Assessment and Social Planning. Through her involvement in the Illawarra Forum, Helen facilitates cross-sector planning, organisational development with managing committees, training for NGOs and undertakes advocacy work on social justice issues.

Helen is interested in the role of the community services industry in the regional economy, the promotion of social inclusion and social justice and the sustainability of the region’s community services infrastructure.

Geoff McQueen

Geoff is the Founder and Managing Director of Hiive Systems, a new and progressive web based company. Hiive Systems was established in 2009 and evolved from Geoff’s first business, the website development company Internetrix.

Geoff is an innovative and dynamic leader whose entrepreneurial flair and leadership skills have brought him considerable success in the corporate environment. Geoff skills are wide ranging including marketing, sales and business development, finance and accounting, product development, media and public relations and strategic development. Geoff has an MBA from the Sydney Business School and is a qualified pilot.

In addition to supporting a number of community initiatives, Geoff is also on the board of the Wollongong Hawks, the Illawarra ICT Cluster and is heavily involved in technology industry initiatives such as CeBIT, Silicon Beach Australia and Startup Camp events.

Dianne Murray

Dianne is the Director of TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute and has had an extensive career as a teacher and manager in both schools and the vocational education and training sector. Dianne also has high level experience in strategic planning, policy setting, systems development and resource management. She has also been involved in the development of international programs in the Peoples Republic of China.

Dianne holds a Master of Education, Graduate Diploma in Education and a Bachelor of Arts. She is Chairman of the Wollongong City Centre Advisory Committee, a Director of the Illawarra Business Chamber and a member of the regional Keep Australia Working Committee and the Illawarra Industry Apprenticeship Project Committee.

Chris Quigley

Chris is Director of Strategic and Commercial Services for Kiama Municipal Council. He has worked in various management positions and is Chairman of the TAFE NSW - Illawarra Institute Industry Council.

Chris has a Masters in Business Administration and a keen interest in regional industry development and local government administration. He has been a member of the TAFE NSW - Illawarra Institute Engineering Advisory Committee, the Wollongong District Schools/Industry Advisory Committee and the Illawarra Schools Workplace Learning Committee.

Arthur Rorris

Arthur Rorris is the Secretary of the South Coast Labour Council, the peak trade union body covering the region from Helensburgh in the north to the Victorian border in the South and 29 affiliated unions representing around 50,000 members across all industries.

Arthur has a degree from the University of Wollongong majoring in Industrial Relations and Politics and a Masters degree specialising in public policy, comparative economics and industrial relations.

Arthur has worked in research and policy positions at the University of Wollongong, the Migrant Employment Taskforce and the Department of Employment, Education and Training before being seconded to the Public Sector Union, a position he held until his election as Secretary of the South Coast Labour Council in March 2000.

Keith Smith

Keith is the Rural Clinical Placements Project Manager with the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Wollongong. He has a background in medical engineering with a focus on research and development in medical scientific research. He has extensive experience in property and facilities management and student housing and is involved in contract negotiation, administration and financial management through his position at the University.

Keith has served on numerous boards and committees ranging from regional tourism and Landcare to child care and numerous community service organisations.

Keith believes the Illawarra has much to offer and that RDA Illawarra has an important role to play in helping to identify and invigorate sustainable economic and social development in the region.

Leanne Taylor

Leanne Taylor has recently been appointed as General Manager People and Culture at the Illawarra Retirement Trust after moving from her previous role of General Manager Corporate Services at Port Kembla Port Corporation. Leanne has held a range of senior management positions in both the public and private sectors in aged care, education, land management and transport/logistics. Her qualifications include a Masters in Education, Graduate Diploma in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Business.

Annelies Voorthuis

Annelies has spent the past 25 years working with Aboriginal people to develop business and employment opportunities.

Annelies completed her Primary Teaching degree at NSW University and in 1989, headed to the Northern Territory where she taught in Milingimbi (Arnhem Land) for a period of five years. She has also worked for the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation, Australian Business Limited and in the government sector. Whilst studying at NSW University, Annelies represented Australia in rowing.

Greg Doyle (ex-officio)

Greg Doyle

Greg has worked in the non government and local government sectors for the past 20 years. He has extensive experience in organisational planning, community programs and development and corporate services.

In 2003 Greg received the Winston Churchill Trust Fellowship Medal for his studies focused on economic development, place management and engagement in Ireland, UK and Canada. The Fellowship medal is awarded for overseas study to individuals who have a passion for their chosen field and a desire to benefit their community.

In 2010 Greg was invited by the Board to attend RDA Illawarra meetings as an ongoing invited guest representing Wollongong City Council. He is not a ministerial appointed member.