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Jane Blacker

President

Jane has been in the Valley with her husband Warwick for a long time, growing Pecan nuts on their property bordering the river about 10kms north of St Albans.  She has spent many hours over the years on the Committee working to improve the lives and lifestyles of the residents.

Jane has also led a dedicated and hard working group of people looking after the historic "Old" St Albans Cemetery nestled between Settlers Road and the Macdonald River.  Many of the pioneering families are buried here and represent a large slice of the early convict and free settlers who arrived at the struggling colony of New South Wales in the early 1800s.

Rosemary Scott

Vice-President

I have lived in the MacDonald valley for nearly 40 years. Initially at Bakers Creek, where I was for over 30 years and more recently at Upper MacDonald, where I am now located.  Initially when I was working full time I was a weekender, however in the last couple of years after retiring from running my own business, which involved interstate and overseas travel I was able to retire and now spend the larger proportion of my time in the Valley.

In fact, I was the first Secretary of the MVA, when myself and Brian McKee as President were the only two on Committee.  Mainly formed at that stage to assist in managing the natural environment. From there it became a much more active and larger organisation when John Saxby took over as President on the passing of Brian.  At that stage I also became an Instructor of the local Pony Club and was involved in organising and helping with the various Endurance rides that took place in and around the valley.

In my corporate life I presided over my own Company board, which comprised of around 6 people.

I was also actively involved in several State and National Industry Boards within the recruitment industry and was made a Life Member.  I was at various times President and Vice President of those bodies.

I was also on the NSW Committee and then the national Board of Australian Women’s Hockey and as Finance Director, during the most successful time in that team’s history.

Having retired I now feel I can give something back to the MacDonald Valley and would like to do this, in an active capacity within the MVA, where I believe I can add value from being a local resident for many years and with my other committee and Board experience.

Veronica Hunter

Treasurer

After growing up and spending most of my life in country areas, I moved to the Central Coast with my then partner Peter. After living there for ten years, it had gotten way too hectic for me! Then began the arduous task of finding land in a quiet area that was affordable for us! We looked at several acreage parcels and then finally looked in St Albans.  Bingo – we found our space! After deciding to be owner builders, the task of building began – and what an adventure. All has a happy ending as we are very happy in our home. We are probably considered newbies in the valley – although it is 8 years so far.

I have been employed in small business throughout my working life and have always been an integral part of those businesses. I bring my work experience to my current role of Treasurer for the MVA.

I enjoy community work, relaxing by a river somewhere in our caravan when we get the opportunity, playing golf, physical culture and of course spending time with my granddaughter along with a few other hobbies.

Gillian Jessup

Secretary

I’m Gillian Jessup, a passionate member of our local community fuelled by curiosity, the potential around us and a dissatisfaction with the status quo.

I grew up in rural Victoria in an area not unlike the beautiful valley we live in today and was fortunate to have a carefree ‘country style’ childhood filled with lots of outdoor adventures.

My husband (Peter) and I moved to the valley 10 years ago, and after a short stint as weekenders we made the decision to move here permanently and to commute for work. The commute for me was legendary, but well worth it every night we came home and drove onto the ferry. Bliss!

Prior to retiring two years ago my career encompassed all facets of business management & sales leadership, training and people development, with roles taking me overseas on two extended assignments.

I feel privileged to have had a very fulfilling and successful career and my retirement goal was always to find activities that would enable me to use my experience and energy to give back and contribute to my community wherever that may be.

Anne Malcolm

Anne Malcolm moved to St Albans in early 2016 after retiring from NSW Health where she worked as a senior manager in the Ministry of Health.  In her career Anne has held a variety of positions in health management in NSW and Commonwealth Public Service and also as a consultant with international aid projects.

Her career includes working with International NGOs and UN agencies across more than 18 countries. Her last international gig was working in Papua New Guinea where she lived for 7 years managing a large aid program for the Commonwealth government.

Anne is now spending her time gardening and beekeeping with the occasional bit of research and writing.  Her interests here are in improving the quality of our roads and improving local biodiversity.

Lewis Adey

I am part owner of Yanada retreat and have lived in the valley for 8 years. As a resident small business owner, I am grateful to be part of our close community that looks out for each other, provides opportunities and complements each other with our skills and talents.

I have over 30 years experience as a Town Planner, most of that in local government, so I am familiar with committee structures and, in particular, how to actually get things done through the committee process.  I also have experience in the voluntary sector; as a convenor, in Surf Lifesaving and currently, the RFS.

I would like to use my planning skills and relationships with staff in Hawkesbury Council to resolve the flood planning policy stalemate that has impacted on many potential developments in the valley. We need to have a clear input into future Council policy and, as part of that, develop a Community Safety Plan for flood prone lands.  I would like to continue my work on this with other Committee members, the RFS, SES and the Director of Planning.

A few years ago, I was involved in the Valley Exchange Group project and discovered a network of people willing to swap, share or sell local produce on a small scale.  I would like to see the MVA assist these people, by helping facilitate opportunities for more regular stalls / markets etc, such as the efforts to improve the park and provide inviting spaces for people to meet.

To be advised

Pieter van Straalen

For those who don’t know me, my name is Pieter van Straalen and my partner is Sharon Hall.  I have been coming up to the Valley since 2005.

In 2010, I bought the old Post Office at 1975 St Albans Rd (previously known as Melba’s Place) which is the last building just before the turn onto the bridge.  After I began to renovate it, the building seems to have been named “the Shack”.

Throughout most of my adult life, I have always had a desire to help people in need and try to put this into practice wherever I am.  When I was voted onto the MVA Committee two years ago I looked at how I could contribute to the people in the Valley.  Through the support of the MVA Committee I have been able to successfully start / set up the ‘LEND A HAND’ Community Help Program.

I believe we have a growing number of older people in our community who could do with a hand now and then and the program plan involves having a group of people willing to lend a hand when and where needed.  Some examples would include heavy lifting, chopping firewood, fixing leaking taps or an electrical problem, especially for those people who are sick, injured or incapacitated with no family close by to support them.

Steve Kavanagh

My name is Steve Kavanagh and I’ve been connected with the valley since 2004.  I live at the Settlers Arms Inn in St Albans with my wife Tilly and our young son Freddy.  I am very passionate about the valley and the great people who live in it and the people who come and visit.  I am also passionate about addressing the lack of infrastructure affecting the lives of everyone here.

I like being on the MVA Committee so that between the committee members and myself we can try and make a difference for our Valley.