Board Directors
DANE HUXLEY - Chairman
 Dane Huxley is the Chief Executive Officer of the Mildura Base Hospital which is a privately owned and publicly operated Hospital through the Ramsay Health Care Group.
Dane was born in Melbourne and was educated at Monash University where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and a Masters in Business Administration.
Prior to moving to Mildura in January 2000, Dane was Chief Executive Officer of the Bays Hospital Group from 1997-1999 and prior to that, held the position of Chief Executive Officer at Victoria House Private Hospital for the period 1989-1997.
Dane has been actively involved in a number of organisations in Mildura and has held positions as Chairman of the Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival, Chairman of the Northern Mallee Primary Care Partnerships, Board Member of the Chaffey Foundation and Chairman of the Mildura Rural City Council Audit Committee.
Dane has two adult children who live in Melbourne and he has a keen interest in walking, gym, golf and music.
MARK WILSON - Deputy Chairman
 Mark Wilson was born in Melbourne and after completing his schooling at St Joseph's Technical College in Abbotsford joined Maroondah Hospital as an apprentice electrician.
Whilst an apprentice he worked in maintenance and systems control areas. He also undertook external work with private electrical contractors to further his knowledge, particularly in the air conditioning field.
In 1981 Mark moved to Bendigo with his wife to be Janine, and they lived and worked in Bendigo for the next 3 years before being offered a position with an electrical contracting company in Melbourne.
Mark spent the next 10 years working for that company in Melbourne, and assisted them to establish a second company in the commercial sector of electrical and data contracting.
In 1995 Mark and his family moved to Ouyen to try something different, establishing a Motel business there. He became avidly dedicated to the community through his involvement with community group Ouyen Inc. This group aims for social and economic improvement in the township of Ouyen, and Mark has been the Chairman for 3 years.
In 1999 Mark moved back into the electrical businesses and in 2005, and he and his wife became full partners of an Ouyen Electrical Contracting and Retailing business. He is also an accredited member of the Clean Energy Council.
Mark Wilson comes to the Mildura Development Corporation with an honest work ethic which is evidenced by his ongoing leadership with Ouyen Inc. and looks forward to the challenges that lay ahead for the Mildura Region.
JOHN IRWIN - Director
John commenced his education at Carey Baptist Grammar. He went on to study at Melbourne University where he completed a Bachelor of Laws and was then admitted to practice at the Victorian Bar. He is a member of both the Victorian and New South Wales Law Societies and was a partner of Irwin and Richards from 1971 – 2000.
John is now a barrister and solicitor practicing in commercial property law as a Consultant to Martin Irwin & Richards. John is an adjunct professor appointed by La Trobe University (Melbourne).
John is actively involved in the development of many major projects within the Sunraysia/Mallee area and has a genuine belief that there is a great potential for this area. He has been instrumental in forming sister cities links with 5 Chinese cities and has forged close economic ties with the province of Yunnan in Southern China.
John is the Chairman of The Barkindji Biosphere Ltd (a UNESCO Project), was formerly Chairman of the Sunraysia Mallee Economic Development Board (6 years), President of the Mildura Lawn Tennis Club (19 years), Chairman of the Mildura Arts Centre Committee (5 years), a Foundation Member of the TAFE steering committee and initial council (7 years), a Board member of St Josephs College from 1995 – 1998, a Member of the Victorian Liberal Task Force on Development 1998 – 1999, Chairman of the Sunraysia Regional Strategy Plan, Chairman of the Mildura Tourism Authority, a Director of Parks Victoria from 1997 – 2000, Finance Chairman of the Australian Inland Botanical Gardens and was also involved with the Sunraysia Development Corporation.
PAM STRANGE - Director
Pam is the Climate Adaptation Manager for Horticulture and Forestry with the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.
She facilitates the Sunraysia Horticultural Extension Group that consists of the horticultural Industry Development Officers, representatives from Vic and NSW DPI’s and Council. The purpose of this group is to identify, develop and coordinate information and extension activities for the benefit of irrigation horticulturalists in Sunraysia.
Pam is also involved in projects planning and preparing for the future effects of climate change, and has had extensive experience in horticultural production, quality assurance, packing and marketing for a range of crops in Australia and New Zealand at grower, co-operative and corporate levels.
Married with 2 teenager daughters, Pam and her family are all active in local sport and the arts. She is a volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Mildura Branch, since its inception in May 2008, and has lived in the Mildura region since 2005.
Pam applied for a position with Mildura Development Corporation because she believes that the Mildura region has the resilience and capacity to diversify, value add, adapt and prosper, despite the future uncertain water allocations, climate change and economic crisis.
MARIAN LUEHMAN - Director
Marian Luehman has over 30 years experience in human services and is the Chief Executive Officer of Sunraysia Residential Services Inc (SRS).
Marian has a background in training and education, and has continued her studies with a list of tertiary qualifications including a Bachelor of Social Sciences, Associate Diploma of Education, Graduate Diploma in Counselling and six TAFE Certificate IV qualifications.
In 1999 Marian was awarded Business Woman of the Year by the Australian Federation of Business and Professional Women. In 2001 she was awarded a Department of Human Services Study and Travel scholarship in recognition for expertise and abilities and in 2006 was awarded Outstanding Contribution by an Individual at the Powercor Prime Business Excellence Awards.
Marian has dedicated over ten years in voluntary roles with the Office of Public Advocate of Victoria and is also member on state, national and regional boards and committees representing people with disabilities.
Marian’s interests outside of work include renovating and designing furniture.
DAVID STEVENSON - Director
Having spent many years working in a Chartered Accounting firm, David took up the opportunity to join Irymple Group as their Managing Director in the mid nineties.
Holding various appointments on local and international Boards representing the Dried Fruit Industry, including an extensive period as a Director of Sunbeam Foods.
In 2005 David led a management buyout of Irymple Group, forming SdS Beverages, later merging with HwCg, a leading United Kingdom wine supplier, now known as Neqtar Wine and Beverages. David was the Managing Director of Neqtar Australia incorporated SdS Beverages and Neqtar Wines until 2009.
David has recently been appointed Managing Director of Sunraysia Murray Group Training Ltd a long time, well established education and training provider in Sunraysia.
David is also a Director of the Mildura District Hospital Fund.
JENNY GRIGG - Director
Having spent 30 years as partner of a family farm at Patchewollock that included a trucking and grain trading business, Jenny recently moved to Mildura to pursue a career at Sunraysia Institute of TAFE as Director Business Development.
During her years on the farm, she became actively involved in supporting the role of women in agriculture and participated in the 2nd International Women in Agriculture International Conference in Washington, later becoming Chairman of the Victorian Women in Grains group and more recently a Board member of the Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women (FAAW).
In recent years, she worked in Community Development in the Mallee region and became a Churchill Fellow in 2004 researching the Cooperative movement in USA, Canada and Ireland.
Jenny has a Masters in Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (Economics) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has extensive Board experience as past Director of Regional Water Authorities and more recently Mallee Agriculture Research Foundation (MARF).
Jenny is very excited about the future of the region and the potential for the Sunraysia/Mallee to develop economically during times of challenge and change.
CHRIS ELLIS - Director
Biography coming soon!
Staff
Members
 ANNE MANSELL
Chief Executive Officer
Anne Mansell was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Mildura Development Corporation in February 2009.
She has over 20 years experience in the horticulture sector as a partner in a family owned citrus and wine grape property, and also brings a wealth of experience in regional development having been a Project Officer, then the Executive Officer at the Sunraysia Area Consultative Committee.
Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts, Graduate Certificate of Business Management, and a Diploma in Corporate Governance, and has recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Planning.
Anne has been involved in a number of local organisations, including; Advisory Committee of the Lower Basin Laboratory- CRC for Freshwater Ecology; Mildura Rural City Councillor 1997-2003; Sunraysia Economic Development Board Inc; Sunraysia Citrus Growers; Mildura Schools Chaplaincy and she continues in her role on the Board of Mallee Family Care Inc.
 HELENA
HOWE
Economic Development Project Officer
Helena is originally from Mt Pleasant in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. She studied Business Office Administration in Adelaide before moving to Mildura in 1998 to commence work at MADEC Ltd.
During her three and a half years at MADEC Helena had the opportunity to work on projects such as the Murdi Paaki Aboriginal Health Summit, numerous Earth Building Summer Schools and the SunNet Internet project.
Helena joined Mildura Development Corporation (at the time called Sunraysia Mallee Economic Development Board) in February 2002 and has worked in a number of roles including Project Officer for the Mineral Sands Industry, Administration Manager and is currently the Economic Development Project Officer.
She has worked on projects including organising international trade fairs to China and Vietnam, strategic and business plans, writing government grants, and assisting with the development of the Mildura Region Economic Profile and Grow Mildura Region publications.
Helena has a Diploma in Management, a Certificate IV in Project Management and is currently studying a Certificate IV in International Trade.
She is currently on the Executive Committee of the Mildura Business Excellence Awards and has been involved in committees including the Mildura Sun Festival (2007 & 2008), Sunraysia Branch of the Alternative Technology Association, Mildura Rural City Council’s Environmental Task Team, Mildura Young Professionals Network (2006 & 2007) and the Mildura Murray Darling Wine Industry Association (Mildura Wines) (2006 & 2007).
Helena enjoys renovating, going to the gym and spending time with family and friends.
 CATHY
VIOLI
Economic Development Officer
Cathy is a Mildura local, growing up on her parent’s sultana property.
She began her working career in local accountancy firms, before pursuing a position as Personal Assistant at the Mildura Headquarters of Victoria Police. She then transferred to the Mildura Police station in an administrative role.
Cathy joined Mildura Development Corporation (then Sunraysia Mallee Economic Development Board) in July 2005 as Economic Development Officer, keen to provide assistance with the development of the local community.
Cathy has studied various administrative and project management courses, and plans on continuing her studies in the fields of community development and marketing.
She is the Secretary & Treasurer of the Sunraysia Animal Rehousing Group (SARG) and the Secretary of the Mildura Young Professionals Network (MYPN).
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