Board and Staff
The Foundation is guided by a Board of Directors, comprised of individuals who live and work within the Colac district.
They willingly give their time without being paid. There is one paid staff member (Executive Officer) working 3 days per week.
Max Arnott (Chair)
Max is a Certified Financial Planner who established the business Adviser Group FP. Max is an active member of the community having been awarded a Life Membership of the Apex Club of Colac, and is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Colac West, State Delegate of MLC/Garvan Advisory Board, and Treasurer of Otway Business Inc.
Wayne O’Brien (Treasurer)
Wayne is a Chartered Accountant and a partner of Crowe Horwath, a local accounting firm. Crowe Horwath is part of Findex, a national financial services group. He joined Crowe Horwath in 1987. Wayne is an active tennis player and avid walker and has a wide involvement in community committees.
Richard Riordan (Director)
Richard is an active community participant; former Chair of Colac Area Health and current board member for Colac Area Health Foundation. He has been a driving force behind the establishment of con.ceit Corangamarah Art Prize and Colac Area Health Foundation. He was former board member for the Corangamite Catchment Authority and previously served as school councillor at Sacred Heart Primary.
Richard worked for 25 years in his family retail and service businesses. In October 2015 Richard was elected at a by-election to the Victorian Legislative Assembly as State Member for Polwarth.
Paul Cunningham (Director)
Paul Cunningham is the Area Manager, ANZ Small Business for South West Victoria covering Geelong, Colac, Warrnambool and Ballarat regions. Paul is a 29 year career banker currently leading a team of Business Banking Managers and Small Business Specialists servicing the Commercial, Health and agriculture markets of South West Victoria. Paul’s passions revolve around customer relationships and adding value to customers business by partnering them with high levels of service, and striving to assist customers to fulfil their Business and Personal visions.
Paul, via ANZ, is a member of the Colac Otway Chamber of Commerce, sponsors a number of business events and is involved in other charitable initiatives. His passion is powerboat racing, having achieved a number of awards. Paul is married and has 2 daughters Paige and Hannah.
Maree Lamanna (Director)
Maree is a retired Primary School Teacher and a member of the Victorian Institute of Teaching. She is an active member of the Rotary Club of Colac and has been recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow, a prestigious award for exemplary work in community service or helping those in need. Maree is also a member of VIEW, supporting the local community. Maree is a joint director of Cobden Buslines, married to husband Rocci and has a son, Aaron and daughter, Carlene.
Sue Mulder (Secretary)
Sue is a registered Nurse and Nurse Immuniser and also holds a Diploma of Management. She has spent many years working with community groups as a Public Health advocate and volunteering with junior sports groups, Colac Turf Club and Meriba Service Club. Married to Terry, she has 3 daughters and 8 grandchildren. Her main hobby is gardening.
Jack Barclay (Director)
Jack is the proprietor of the Water Supply Specialists business in Colac which retails, installs and maintains water supply systems for agricultural farming enterprises. He has extensive experience as a General Manager and CEO in manufacturing, primarily in the food industry. Core competencies include leadership, corporate governance, sales and marketing, cost management and innovation and project management.
Married to Patricia, he has a daughter, Harriette. He is also active in various sports including rowing, cycling and tennis.
Jamie Bell (Director)
Jamie is employed as Senior Biodiversity Officer (Roads Project) at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). This role draws upon a diverse set of skills around Project Management, stakeholder engagement and liaison with the community.
Jamie has a strong interest in the health industry and is focused on helping to create awareness into cancer prevention. Through “Research4Riney“, set up by Jamie’s late wife Catherine Ross, and his role as Clinical Trials Consumer Engagement lead at Barwon Health, Jamie aims to help increase the platform in which cancer patients can seek advice and treatment options. Other interests include working on the family farm at Barwon Downs and Peterborough with a particular focus on cattle breeding.
Maree Coates (Executive Officer)
Maree is a marketing and fundraising professional with broad experience across a range of industries including Financial Services, Telecommunications & Not for Profit. Her background includes disciplines in Direct Marketing, CRM and IT. Maree was born and raised in Colac, attended Monash University and now enjoys giving back to the community through her work with the Foundation. Interests include singing, theatre and gardening.
