Our People

Jim brings a wealth of government experience to the EW as the former Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development and Trade. He has a comprehensive knowledge of government policy development at both State and Federal levels. Jim has extensive skills in a variety of economic development areas including business development, government interaction with the private sector - including joint ventures, private and public partnerships, project development, investment attraction, regional development, state Infrastructure planning and trade development.

Professional Associations: Director, Enhance Group Inc.; Chairman, Careflight Medical Services Australia; Director, Charities Aid Foundation Australia; Former Queensland Manager of a major scaffolding company; Brisbane Broncos Founding Team Manager.

Mark Gaudry is married with five children and has lived in Bowen for the past 15 years. Mark has experienced life as an electrician, farmer and business owner over the past 25 years. He was previously Chairman of the Bowen Tourism and Regional Development Bureau for four years and the former Chairman of Bowen Collinsville Enterprise for 3 years. Over the past five years he has been a Member of the Tourism Bowen Board, and was a Councillor for the Bowen Shire Council from 2004-2008. Mark is currently a Councillor with the Whitsunday Regional Council, Division 6.

Jennifer has been a Whitsunday resident since 1983 having moved from Mackay with her husband and two children. Jennifer and her husband have owned and operated a family business since 1987. She commenced employment with the Council as a secretary in June 1984, where she continued to work for 13 years, and then tried her hand at becoming a Councillor. 
This is Jennifer's third term on Council and she is finding the role very challenging and exciting with the amalgamation of the Whitsundays and Bowen. She is keen to listen and work for the community to improve this wonderful part of the world. Jennifer's interests are bonsai and cats.

Ian Roebuck sailed from Brisbane to the beautiful Whitsunday’s in 1976 and met his wife Patti on South Molle Island. After working as a licensed plumber on South Molle Island for 18 months he saw the potential that the Whitsundays had to offer and in January 1978, Ian Roebuck Plumbing and Drainage was born. His professionalism and knowledge has seen his company grow to employing over 30 plumbers and labourers including a fleet of earthmoving equipment which provide a competitive and professional service. 

Ian Roebuck is highly committed to community service projects and has worked tirelessly on many projects over the years. He was one of the instigators for the 'Loot for the Lagoon' project that resulted in the building of the fabulous lagoon, and was the Chairman for the inaugural and subsequent year Boat Show held at Abel Point Marina, both of which have contributed greatly to the tourism Industry.

Lyn has in excess of 32 years experience within the retail industry and is currently the Owner/Director for Adelyn Retail Consultancy Pty Ltd.  Lyn’s company has been operational for 9 years and has achieved a substantial retail profile in the Whitsundays & Townsville.

Lyn has also worked extensively at a community level and has previously been Treasurer of Whitsunday Flexible Care, President of the Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce, Chair and event coordinator for the Inaugural Whitsunday Reef Festival 2001, Board Member of Whitsunday Airport Authority, Chairman Tourism Whitsundays, and a Board member of Whitsunday Enterprise. Lyn’s community work was recognised when she received an Australia Day Award for ‘Shire Special Achievement’ in 2002.

Matthew has owned and operated his own businesses for over 12 years, Matthew holds a very good understanding of the issues and challenges facing small business operators on a daily basis.

This experience combined with his managerial skills and abilities acquired over many years and various roles within the public and private sectors, ensures that when it comes to dealing with elected representatives, public servants or senior industry figures, Matthew is able to communicate effectively.

Matthew spent 5 years as the head of a community based, not for profit economic development agency representing the region and that experience provided him with a very clear understanding of the economic and social infrastructure challenges confronting the new Whitsunday Regional Council area and the potential long term impacts if that infrastructure fails to keep up with demand.

Denise has ten years experience working with small to medium size businesses.  She has worked directly with business as the Regional Business Development Officer where she managed relationships with the Whitsunday Shire Council, Bowen Shire Council and the State Government supporting businesses. 

The past four years she has been involved in the area of horticultural industry development.  She is employed as an Industry Development Officer working directly with growers and managing communication between growers and industry.  Denise had worked in and with government at a Federal, State and Local level.  Denise is currently a member of the Chalco Community Consultative Committee and the Reef Rescue Horticulture Committee and has previously been a member of other community groups such as the Barrier Reef Tafe Advisory Committee and the Whitsunday Shire Council Advisory Group. 

Local Government - The Mayor, Whitsunday Regional Council

State Government - Department Infrastructure and Planning

Federal Government - Regional Development Australia

Andrei Koeppen was born in Melbourne but grew up in Adelaide. He worked as a teacher in Arnhem Land and then owned his own businesses for 10 years - including Dr.PC and AppleCentre Adelaide.

After selling his companies Andrei was appointed General Manager of the Inner West Business Enterprise Centre in Adelaide, which covered two large councils and 20,000 businesses. Most recently Andrei was CEO of a company in the Pilbara (Western Australia) which was sponsored by Rio Tinto and which represented eight native title groups.
Andrei is a member of the Institute of Management Consultants and hold a B.A in Public Administration and Public Policy (Melbourne Uni), and a Graduate Diploma in Education (Flinders Uni). 

Andrei is married to Roz, who is an arts administrator ( and between them they have 5 kids).