The next era: GMCL Announces New Board Appointments
- Kimberley Chu
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
8th August 2025
Goulburn Murray Region — Goulburn Murray Community Leadership (GMCL) is proud to announce the appointment of seven new members to its Board, further strengthening our commitment to inclusive, community-led leadership across the region.
A Shared Vision for Regional Impact
As GMCL continues to deliver its flagship Fairley Leadership Program and regional initiatives such as the Community Action Network (CAN), our Board plays a critical role in shaping the strategic direction of the organisation. These new appointments strengthen our ability to cultivate leadership that represents the strengths, aspirations, and diversity of our region.
Re-appointed Board Members
Christina Bassani (Chair)
Lacey Nicholson (Treasurer)
Sam Atukorala
Departing Board Members
Carla Miles
Deeane Armstrong
Luke Falzon
New Board Members
Chloe Armstrong
Chloe is a lifelong learner with an insatiable curiosity and a passion for experimenting with ideas that create positive change. As a Board Member at GMCL, she combines operational and strategic expertise to support small businesses and not-for-profits, helping them navigate the challenges of growth while staying true to their mission.
With a background as GMCL’s former Programs and Operations Officer, Chloe has hands-on experience driving impactful initiatives that build community leadership capacity across the Goulburn Murray region. Outside of her professional work, Chloe is deeply interested in both environmental and social sustainability, and in her spare time, can be found pursuing one of many handicraft projects.
Always seeking opportunities to learn, innovate, and make a meaningful impact, Chloe is driven by the desire to foster connections and create lasting change for the communities she serves.
Jay Whittaker FF'15
Jay Whittaker joined the Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Board in 2025 bringing with him significant experience in governance, and key stakeholder engagement. With a degree in Applied Science Natural Resource Management, Jay has demonstrated experience in advocating for the health of Country and the people it supports. Jay is known for his strategic advocacy work that includes representing on strategic panels such as the Great Outdoors Taskforce, Goulburn to Murray Trade Review Committee, Constraints Committee, and the Goulburn Broken Regional Waterway Strategy Reference Group to name a few.
At community level Jay has held leadership positions with School Councils, Sporting Clubs and at RiverConnect. Jay completed the Fairley Leadership Program in 2015, he is keen to ensure the sustainability of the program to provide further opportunity to future leaders that have benefited from the program.
In his role on the Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Board, Jay recognises the importance of investing in future leaders and promoting important networking opportunities within the region.
Meena Malla FF'23
Born and raised in Nepal, Meena completed most of her academic qualifications there before migrating to Australia nearly six years ago with her lifelong companion to explore a completely different part of the world. She is deeply grateful to her most inspiring figures—her father and eldest sister—for instilling courage and belief in possibilities. Their influence made her feel she could truly win the world. She is also fortunate to have a partner whose support has continued to light her path.
With intercontinental experience as a microbiologist, Meena currently works as a Technical Analyst at Integrity Australia and as a healthcare worker in a local nursing home. A continuous learner and game changer, she is committed to empowering and strengthening women’s capacity to participate in the mainstream environment.
She has actively contributed to a wide range of community organisations as a volunteer, health rights advocate, multicultural leader, and inspiring voice for the Goulburn Valley and beyond. She is passionate about inclusive leadership and building bridges between diverse communities, turning challenges into opportunities grounded in empathy, equity, and integrity.
Rick Sellars FF’23
Rick is a proud New Zealander with Cook Island heritage who after graduating from the Southern Institute of Technology in Invercargill, NZ with a Diploma in Sport and Recreation, crossed the ditch and now resides in Echuca, Victoria.
Born and raised on his family dairy farm, Rick is not afraid of hard work and getting his hands dirty. He is one of those people who enjoys taking on a challenge and wont just stand by and watch an issue unfold. His passion to collaborate and problem solve to help others sees him jumping right in to help find the solution.
Rick completed the Fairley Leadership Program in 2023 which has helped catapult him into various roles in his community including School Advisory Councils, GMCL Alumni Committee, local sporting organisation committees and coaching roles, and senior leadership positions on the executive team for his current employer Cadell Food Service where he has worked since 2007 and for whom he currently leads the I.T. department.
His passion is working with the youth in our community and is deeply committed to seeing them strive to be the best they can be. As a mentor and guide, instilling teamwork, discipline, and a competitive yet respectful sports culture, Rick is passionate about supporting the development of young athletes and enhancing community engagement to help foster their growth while encouraging a sense of belonging and achievement.
Rick is a results-driven and positive professional with diverse experience in operations, leadership, and community engagement. Equipped with a solid background in customer service, sales, and IT, along with strong community leadership and networks, he aims to contribute a fresh perspective with an energised and focused approach to strategic decision-making on the board of GMCL.
Shara Scott FF'22
Shara Scott, joined the Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Board in 2025, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a profound commitment to community development. With a degree in Business Marketing, Shara possesses a keen understanding of strategic communication and its role in fostering community growth. Her academic background is complemented by her completion of the Fairley Leadership Program in 2022, where she honed her leadership skills and deepened her passion for community engagement.
Shara is a fervent advocate for recognising and nurturing the "pockets of brilliance" that thrive within the broader region. She believes in the transformative power of storytelling as a tool for connection and understanding, emphasising its ability to bridge gaps and foster mutual respect among diverse groups. Her dedication to storytelling is not just about sharing narratives but about empowering individuals to voice their experiences, thereby enriching the community tapestry.
In her role on the Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Board, Shara is committed to championing initiatives that highlight regional talent and innovation. Her leadership style is characterised by inclusivity and empathy, driven by a vision of a community that celebrates its diversity and works collaboratively towards a shared future.
Warren Davies
Warren Davies, known across Australia as The Unbreakable Farmer, brings a wealth of lived experience, grassroots insight, and unwavering commitment to rural mental health and leadership to the Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Board.
With a background in farming, small business, and advocacy, Warren has spent over a decade working across rural, regional, and remote communities, using his own journey through adversity to drive honest conversations around resilience, wellbeing, and authentic leadership. His connection to the land and to people forms the foundation of his values-led approach to community development.
A respected keynote speaker, mental health advocate, and podcast host, Warren delivers workshops, leadership sessions, and school programs that focus on building stronger, more connected communities. His work is grounded in empathy and shaped by the real-world challenges faced by those in the Goulburn Murray region and beyond. As an ambassador for children’s charity Cottage by the Sea Queenscliff and mental health charity Blue Tree Project, and a regular collaborator with councils, schools, and industry bodies, Warren continues to support grassroots solutions to complex social challenges.
Warren also gives back through extensive volunteerism, mentoring emerging leaders, supporting recovery efforts in disaster-affected areas, and advocating for fairer outcomes in rural policy. His appointment to the Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Board reflects his deep passion for strengthening local leadership capacity and ensuring that every voice from paddocks to townships is heard and valued. Warren’s perspective adds a powerful voice to the board, grounded in resilience, community connection, and the belief that leadership starts with showing up and speaking up.
Dr Werner Vogels
Werner is a neuropsychologist with a background in academia, mental health, and leadership development. Originally from the Netherlands, he moved to Australia from the UK with his partner and son in 2009, and now calls Glenrowan home. His daughter was born here in 2011.
Werner is a passionate advocate for leadership that’s shared, place-based and transformative. With a PhD in Psychology, Werner is deeply curious about human behaviour, social connection and how networks take shape. As Manager of Impact and Reporting at the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, he leads (social) impact evaluation, supports leadership program facilitation, and delivers mental health first aid training.
Werner works alongside rural, regional and remote communities to grow collective leadership that supports self-determination in all its forms. He brings systems thinking, deep listening and an evidence-based approach to help people connect, reflect and lead together.
Deeply invested in fostering positive change for people, communities and the environment, Werner sees wellbeing not just as an outcome, but as a foundation for lasting leadership and resilience.
An alum of the Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program, Werner is committed to supporting communities to take ownership of their future, centred on sustainability and values-driven decision-making. He believes communities prosper when leadership is shared and systems shift one conversation at a time.
We thank our departing Board Members for their commitment to GMCL and steady leadership. Their commitment, insights and leadership have strengthened GMCL’s work in shaping a more resilient and connected region and they leave their legacy woven into the fabric of GMCL.
We warmly welcome our new Board members and sincerely thank them for their commitment to GMCL, bringing a wealth of experience, diverse perspectives, and deep community ties to the organisation, as we continue to grow our impact and support leaders who shape the future of the Goulburn Murray.
Thank you to our community and supporters for their unwavering support, we look forward to continuing to work with you.