RDA Barwon South West appoints new deputy chair

REGIONAL Development Australia (RDA) has firmed up its committees and new deputy chairs for their next terms in Victoria, including for the Geelong region and the wider south-west.

RDA announced on Monday this week that Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism general manager Liz Price remains as chair of RDA Barwon South West, and Deakin University Warrnambool Campus director Alistair McCosh had been appointed as the new deputy chair.

The committee comprises local business experts who are dedicated to developing and implementing local solutions for regional issues.

They collaborate with government, businesses, and community groups to support the region’s growth and development.

The other 12 committee members of RDA Barwon South West are:

The Gordon board member Darryl Mohr (reappointed)
Committee for Geelong board chair Clive Pugh (reappointed)
Former Rural Councils Victoria chair Mary-Ann Brown (reappointed)
Avalon Airport business development manager Peter Dorling (reappointed)
Warnambool City Council chief executive officer Andrew Mason
Hanlon Industries executive director Ellysia (Elly) Hanlon
Maneroo Farms managing director Georgina Gubbins
Advanced Fibre Cluster director Jennifer Conley
Watnanda Consulting managing director Judith McDonald
EHM Advisory director Liz McKinnon
Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention Centre general manager Rick Aylett, and
City of Greater Geelong councillor Trent Sullivan.

The Barwon South West region neighbours Melbourne’s rapidly growing western corridor and its population is estimated at approximately 453,600 people as of 2023.

It covers the Greater Geelong, Queenscliffe, Surf Coast, Colac Otway, Corangamite, Moyne, Warrnambool, Southern Grampians, and Glenelg municipalities, with its fastest-growing areas being Armstrong Creek, Lara, Bannockburn, Mount Duneed, Warrnambool, Colac, Portland, Torquay and Ocean Grove.

Victoria’s six RDA committees are a partnership between the Australian and Victorian governments, supported by Regional Development Victoria.

Each RDA committee will deliver a 2025-2026 Business Plan to help diversify and grow its regional economy. The plans are tailored to each region, including collaboration to support industries such as agribusiness and tourism.