John Dawson - Chair

John was formally Shire Clerk/ General Manager of Wyong Shire Council from 1973-2003 (retired). Since then he has held a number of senior posts in the private, public and NGA sectors including Chair of Business Central Coast - a predecessor of RDACC.

Currently he holds positions as Chairman of two Central Coast Companies being Andrews Neil Urban Design Group and the Palmdale Group and is retained as a Strategic Advisor to NSW Landcom on the Central Coast.

Maree Roberts - Deputy Chair

Maree is currently Deputy Chair of RDA Central Coast. She is proud of a professional career served entirely in regional Australia in areas as diverse as Central Queensland, North Queensland, Far North Queensland and since 2004, on the Central Coast of NSW.

She has held positions on a number of boards and committees that have served local communities. These include membership of James Cook University Council, Central Coast Area Consultative Committee, University of Newcastle Ourimbah Campus Advisory Committee, National Board of Association of Women Educators, Chair of the Gosford East Salvation Army Door knock Committee, The Youth Commitment and Youth Connections.

In addition to being Deputy Chairman of RDA Central Coast, she is Deputy Regional Director, Department of Education and Training, Hunter Central Coast Region. Her career in education includes positions as teacher, two principal ships and senior officer positions in Queensland and New South Wales.

Prior to her appointment to her position in NSW Maree had her own consulting company for two years. Her clients included universities and government agencies, private schools and colleges and churches. She was involved in projects of state and national significance.

John Asquith

John Asquith has considerable knowledge and experience in environmental issues. He has worked in utilities in the energy and water sectors both of which are impacted by climate change. He is currently a Director of the Sydney Catchment Authority and Regional Development of Australia CC Committee.

His experience with environmental organisations includes: Current Chairman of Community Environment Network, Chairman of Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre and past Secretary of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, where he played a key role in the bushfire and water education programs. He is currently convenor of the NGO Water Group.

Paul Barnett

Paul has been the CEO for the Mingara Leisure Group (MLG) now since 2002, having first joined the organisation in 1998. MLG operates three successful clubs: Mingara on the Central Coast; The Westport Club at Port Macquarie; and the Roselands Club in Sydney.

Since relocating to the Central Coast in 1986, and with his exposure to the not-for-profit sector, Paul is acutely aware of the area's shortcomings and is keen to see the area prosper and generate more jobs locally.

Paul completed his post graduate studies in Management Enterprise at Newcastle University's Ourimbah Campus in 2005. He is currently a Director of the club industry's peak body, ClubsNSW. Paul is also a member of the Salvation Army Central Coast Advisory Board.

Susie Caldersmith

A resident of the Central Coast since 1995, Susie is passionate about its beauty and potential, and is active in various aspects of the community, including programs for children with special needs; carers; the elderly; school P&C associations; consults to various community organisations and is assisting to establish a not-for-profit organisation which offers services and respite to people with special needs and their carers on the Central Coast.

Tertiary qualified in the UK, Susie's 25 year track record and experience includes "hands on" Managing Director and General Manager positions with global and multi-national corporations, launching and building global and complex businesses in the Financial Services, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Human Resources and Tourism & Hospitality industries throughout the Asia/Pacific, USA and European regions, and within corporate, SME and retail markets.

Stephen Crump

Professor Stephen Crump is Pro Vice-Chancellor (External Relations) and a Professor in Education at the University of Newcastle. Professor Crump leads the University's strategic relationships with community, industry and business and with NSW TAFE at Ourimbah on the Central Coast and at Port Macquarie.

Professor Crump's discipline expertise is in education and public policy, leadership/organisational development, philosophy of education and curriculum reform. He is a Visiting Fellow of the Institute of Education, the University of London [2010/11], working with senior professors on a number of projects around policy enactments, higher education reform and global change.

Prior to joining the University of Newcastle in 2006, he held senior positions at the University of Sydney reporting to the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, as well as for the Faculty of Education and Social Work.

He has been involved at grassroots level advocacy and is on the Regional Development Australia - Central Coast Board and the Central Coast Grammar School Board.

Simon Earthrowl

Simon is a Director of FOUREARTH GROUP. Educated at Gosford Junior and Senior Schools. Simon has worked in the West Gosford area all his business life. Initially, Managing Central Coast Cold Stores for some 20 years.

Then, with his wife Roslyn, developing their own business, Refrigerated Warehouses of Australia, being a modern Foodpark with food premises, cold storage and refrigerated distribution services.

The Fourearth Group, has a number of investments, and is involved in the RIVERSIDE commercial development on the Central Coast Highway at West Gosford.

Simon has held senior industry association positions, throughout his career in the cold storage industry.

Chris King

Chris King has been an established public figure in the Central Coast region for over twenty two years. Affectionately known as the Coast's "Mr Entertainment" due to his long theatrical and television career spanning over 40 professional years. During this time Chris starred and appeared in over 35 television series, numerous films and theatrical productions and events.

Chris is well renowned for his skills as an Event Coordinator, Writer, Producer, Director and award winning MC. His awards and citations include: 2001 Federation Medal; 2006 Gosford Council Australia Day Cultural Citizen of the Year Community Award for Arts, Culture and Entertainment and 2009/10 NSW Runner up Australia Bridal Awards (Master of Ceremonies).

Community involvement includes: Founding Chairman of The Central Coast Wedding Professionals networking organisation. Steering committee member representing the Central Coast at Screen Hunter /Central Coast; Founding Chairman Screen Production Alliance Central Coast; and Consultant to Central Coast organisations, government bodies in event and entertainment, production provision including: Gosford and Wyong Councils, Gosford and Wyong Chambers, Greater Toukley Vision, The Entrance Town Centre Management, GBID (Gosford). Since 2006 Chris has been The Vice President of the Gosford Musical Society one of Australia's leading community theatre companies.

Laurie Maher

Laurie Maher has been a resident of the Central Coast since 1969. He has worked as a Teacher, School Principal, Superintendent of Mount Penang and finally, the Assistant Director in charge of Juvenile Justice NSW. During his term as Superintendent at Mount Penang Correctional Facility he introduced education programs to assist with the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. This model was adopted nationally and is still viewed very favourably today.

Laurie has served as President of Country Rugby, Patron of the NSW Junior Rugby Union, Director of NSW Rugby Union, Director of NRMA Motoring and Services, Director of Baker Street Catering and Director of Gosford Chamber of Commerce. Laurie is Patron and Life Member of the Central Coast Leagues Club. He is also Cofounder of Mountains Kariong Cricket Club, founder Kariong Community Preschool and founder of Mt Penang Fire Brigade.

Twelve years ago Laurie agreed to work with the homeless. He has developed Coast Shelter into a dedicated service provider comprising. Laurie has been awarded the NSW Premiers Community Service Award, as has Coast Shelter under his astute leadership.

Currently Mayor of Gosford City, Laurie has served on Gosford City Council since 2004.

Katie Smith

Katie Smith has been a Central Coast resident since 1984. She is divorced with two adult children and lives at Woy Woy.

She was a Board member of Business Central Coast, then reappointed to RDA when initiated.

Katie is a Solicitor specialising in Family Law based at Umina Beach.

Katie is President and Life Member of Peninsula Community Centre and works with local sporting and community groups.

Lynne Webster

Councillor Lynne Webster is married, has five children and seven grandchildren. She is currently Company Directory for her locally based family business located at Tuggerah. A former Journalist, Lynne has lived on the Central Coast for 24 years. She was initially employed at the former Tuggerah Lakes Tourist Association. It was here she developed a strong interest in the community and its needs.

She spent many years as Secretary of the Tuggerah Lakes Mardi Gras Festival as was involved in assisting in the organisation of the numerous festivals that have been staged in The Entrance over the years. She was Secretary/Treasurer/Public Officer of The Entrance Town Centre Management Corporation Inc for eight years and has again taken on the position of Secretary/Treasurer for the coming financial year.

Lynne understands the need for continuous improvement and change to the local community to ensure that it satisfies the basic principles of local government and address the key needs of our local community. She is obsessive about the local area and its community. Lynne has a burning desire to see the Central Coast grow by delivering excellent facilities that promote design excellence and sustainability.

Kim Williams

Kim Williams, Managing Director of Sublime Marketing, has been a business owner on the Central Coast since 2003. Kim is also a Director of Business Women Connect, a business group for women on the Coast with emphasis on the networking, education and development of women in our business community. She is the Coordinator of the Central Coast Women in Business Awards and is also a Director of Quality Deals which is a newly launched online marketing model and the latest in Social Media for business.

Kim's past experience includes 7 years as CEO for Erina Chamber of Commerce and has worked previously with organizations such as Youth Connections, Central Coast Community Chest and Central Coast Rugby League in a marketing and event coordination capacity.

Locally grown Kim attended primary and secondary schooling on the Coast and has a passion for the growth and development of our region.

Staff Members

Andrew Roach - Chief Executive Officer

 Greg Combes - Project Manager

Jacquie Fredericks-Smith  - Project Manager