Rosemary Scott

President

I have been in this role for the last 5 years and let you the members judge the results we have achieved and the stability of the MVA and its Committee. Which continues to kick goals on behalf of our members e.g. repairs of St Albans Road, rebuilding of Gorricks Run Causeway, repair of the Thomas James Bridge, mobile connection in the Village of St Albans. Heightened awareness of our wildlife to lessen road deaths. Music events in the Church and Hall. Picnics and Trivia nights, to bring the community together after the fires of 2019 and floods of 2022.

However most importantly the work completed by the Connected and Prepared group who have brought in the warden system to keep our community safe in times of natural disasters. This has also included the grab bags that all residents have at their disposal with a phone/radio to communicate with their wardens and neighbours. A water trailer for free hire to assist with controlling burn offs.

This year alone we have organised a senior member of the Police force from Windsor to talk to the community about copper wire theft which has been so prevalent in the Valley for some years. Currently we are organising through Susan Templeman’s office an insurance seminar to address the high insurance premiums we are experiencing in the Valley. Other events in the pipeline this year include a weed recognition day. We continue to lobby government and local councils for answers to the traffic issues on long weekends and holidays coming down Wisemans Ferry hill to the Webbs Creek Ferry. We have achieved so far, the agreement to install signage to warn incoming traffic of likely traffic snarls ahead.

 I have personally lived in the MacDonald Valley for nearly 50 years. Initially at Bakers Creek, where I was for over 30 years. Then at Upper MacDonald, and now Wollombi Road, close to the village, where I am now located. Initially when I was working full time, I was a weekender, however in the last 8 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 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.

After retiring I now feel I can give something back to the MacDonald Valley and have been in this role for the last 5 years.  As I believe I can add value from being a local resident for many years and with my other committee and Board experiences.

Now I am fortunate enough to have a fantastic and stable Committee around me, where all members have a portfolio, they are responsible for and work towards fulfilling that role with enthusiasm and dedication.

Linda Bracken

Vice President / Valley for Wildlife

Attracted to the valley’s natural beauty and isolation, Linda and her partner Andy made the move to Wrights Creek over 10 years ago and these days live in the valley full-time. They found a diverse, intriguing and welcoming community and have formed friendships that are important in their lives.

A life-long equestrian, Linda loves the valley for its abundant trails and has succumbed to the sport of endurance riding that has such a strong history in the valley.

With a passion for nature conservation, bush regeneration and wildlife welfare, Linda is also a WIRES volunteer. As someone from a pioneering farming family herself (in the Western Districts of NSW) she has a keen interest in this area’s early settler and rich indigenous history.

From a professional perspective, Linda is one of Australia’s leading digital and media strategists. As a senior executive at the ABC, she played a pivotal role in the organisation’s digital transformation. She was the Manager of triple j, and as the Head of Audience Strategy and Digital, she oversaw the design of iView, ABC Listen, and ABC News online.

She left the ABC to pursue a portfolio career which is just a fancy way of saying being able to do a variety of work that interests you and allows you to live at the farm and have more time to ride.

Linda now works as a consultant to various organisations including SBS, the ABC and with Board Matters, a leading legal, board strategy and governance organisation.

A graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Linda is the Vice President of the Australian Horse Industry Council and on the Board of the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, Australia’s oldest HIV/AIDS charity.

Catherine du Peloux Menage

Secretary

I have had a property in St Albans for 20 years and my husband and I spend an increasing amount of time here. We have been members of the MVA for many years.

In terms of community involvement, some years ago I was involved in co-creating the St Albans Writers Festival, and in 2019 I helped with meals at the Fireshed during the fires. Currently I am both a volunteer and teach at Macdonald Valley Public School.

I look forward to contributing more to the community of our wonderful valley by working with the MVA Committee

Jane Fulton

Treasurer

I came to the valley in the late 1980s and immediately fell in love with its beauty and uniqueness.

My background includes: UNDP (Water and Ocean Governance); Coordinator of Sydney University Peace Studies (focus on the environment); the Sydney Peace Foundation (focus on human rights); Step into Work (to help women enter the work force); renewable energy advocate (reduce carbon emissions to limit global warming); and I have just signed up to St Albans RFS as assistant secretary.

I believe that The Macdonald Valley’s environment (I’m a member of weed whackers), and access to reliable, fast, affordable telecommunications are key concerns. Last month I made a submission to Federal Government inquiry to the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review.

Making sure roads and ferries meet the needs of the local residents is also
paramount as well as supporting the arts: musicians, artists and writers; and recognition of the region’s first nations people and history.

I’m delighted to be part of the MVA and its work to support this community.

Siobhan Mahoney

Telecommunications

Originally from the UK, I emigrated to Australia with my husband, Rick, in 2001. We soon discovered St Albans and loved the Macdonald Valley so much we bought our place on Settlers Road soon after, and a few years later moved here permanently with our beloved doggie, Murphy.

I work in the software industry and can work from home much of the time as long as I have good communications. It was with this in mind that I agreed to join the MVA executive.

The telecommunications in our valley are woeful – good communications are a cornerstone to prosperity, safety and general wellbeing and need to be treated like any other core infrastructure of a thriving community and I intend to use my position on the MVA to champion this cause.

I have been a member of St Albans RFS since 2008

Fiona Kelly

Connected and Prepared

I came to the Macdonald Valley on a camping trip about 40 years ago. I fell in love with the valley and bought my house here as soon as I was able to. I was only able to move here permanently 6 years ago when I retired.

I spent my early working life in the horticulture industry. I worked in various nurseries and eventually had my own gardening and landscaping business. 

When I had my children, I changed careers and started working as a School Administrator in various schools until I retired in 2020. I still work one day a week at Macdonald Valley Public School.

Since moving to the valley I have been involved in various community organisations. As well as being the Connected and Prepared representative for the MVA, I am currently the booking officer for the St Albans School of Arts. I am also the vice president and canteen officer on the Macdonald Valley Public School Parents and Citizens Association, and the Secretary/Treasurer for the Tennis Club.

It has been a wonderful experience to be able to be involved in this fantastic, caring and vibrant community.

Denise Wright

Roads and Ferries

Denise Wright is the newest member of the Roads and Ferries Committee.  Denise and her partner Alan have been living in the valley since 2020 but not on a full time basis.  Alan had discovered this beautiful valley many years ago and took  the opportunity to buy here when they both retired. They spend much of their time working on the property after experiencing fire and flood during their early years here.

 Denise was previously employed by the Dept of Education as a Deputy Principal in Wagga Wagga and Frenchs Forest and has been actively involved in many programs aimed at supporting improvement in education and child well being. After full time retirement she worked as a casual teacher at Narrabeen Sports High School. Denise was seconded to NESA (Board of Studies) as a Liaison officer for 4 years and worked with many schools, parents and students throughout Sydney and NSW.  She now works casually for NESA as an HSC disability assessor.

Denise  is looking forward to meeting with and getting to know more local people through this position and working to support this community.