New blood on Commerce Ballarat’s board

THREE vacant positions on the Board of Commerce Ballarat were filled at its recent Annual General Meeting.

Ballarat business owners Alicia Linley, Susan Honeyman and James Robson are the newly elected Board members.

Ms Linley, Managing Director of Mitchell Harris Wines said getting involved with setting the direction of Commerce Ballarat was a key reason for her seeking a position on the Board.

“My experience in hospitality will give the board a better understanding of the sector which will assist with advocacy and policy setting,” she said.

“Sitting on the board is an excellent opportunity to give back to the Ballarat community and to extend my insight and education as well.”

She said bringing great people together to get work done is one of her key skills.

“I am very good at going out and asking people questions for thing things I need an answer to,” Ms Linley said.

“I can learn from the board as well as give value to the board, so I see it as a two-way street.”

Ms Linley also sits on the board of Ballarat International Foto Biennale.

Ms Honeyman, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors is well versed in corporate governance.

She worked at Bendix Brakes for 19 years and was President of the Ai Group for the Ballarat Wimmera Region during those years.

Ms Honeyman said she also served on a senior leadership team of a global corporate organisation for ten years.

“I have a lot of exposure to global corporate procedures and practices,” she said.

She brings a wealth of experience in advocating on regional issues as well, due to her role as a community member on the Central Highlands Regional Partnership.

“I am excited to be joining the board and I hope I can give something back,” Ms Honeyman said.

Mr Robson admits his knowledge of corporate governance is thin.

“I have no experience with boards at all, so I am not quite sure what to expect at this stage,” he said.

He said he has a fairly unique skill set that could bring diversity to Commerce Ballarat’s board room.

Mr Robson is co-owner of On Tap Liquor Consulting, which provides compliance and government expertise surrounding the regulation of Victorian Liquor Laws.

He also holds a degree in Town Planning and is in the process of taking over a business in that field.

Mr Robson said he had no business experience when he started On Tap with his business partner.

“I have taken advantage of a lot of the Commerce Ballarat initiatives since I started my own business journey,” he said.

“They were a big help to us from a start-up perspective, so it is probably time I pay it forward.”

Jodie Gillett, Commerce Ballarat CEO said she congratulates and welcomes the three newly elected Board members.

“As always we have a very busy year coming up and I personally look forward to working with this knowledgeable, positive thinking and talented Board,” she said.