About us

Our Committee

Renata Paliskis

Chair

Qualification & Experience:

  • CEO of Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management
  • Chair, Sheep Sustainability Framework Steering Group
  • Presiding Member, Shire of Gnowerangup ARIC
  • Member, Animal Health Australia
  • Member, Biosecurity Council of WA
  • Member, Frontier Services
  • Member, Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation.
  • Fellowship of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
  • A qualified Certified Practicing Accountant with a Masters in Professional Accounting
  • Previously, CEO for the WA Meat Industry for 8 years and responsible for the re-location of the Midland Saleyards to the $54m state of the art Muchea Livestock Centre.

Mischa Stratford

Deputy Chair

Qualification & Experience:

  • Chair, Senior Citizens Home Trust, Wyalkatchem
  • Chair, Wyalkatchem Local Health Advisory Group
  • Member, Eastern District Health Advisory Council
  • Deputy President, Shire of Wyalkatchem
  • Secretary, Central East Accommodation and Care Alliance (CEACA)
  • President and Secretary, Wyalkatchem P&C

Dee Ridgway

Committee Member

Qualification & Experience:

  • Business Partner in Mixed Farming Enterprise 40+ years
  • Current Beverley Shire President
  • Beverley Shire Councillor 15 years
  • Shire President 11 years, Deputy Shire President 4 years
  • Deputy Chair, Lumen University Study Hubs Reference Group
  • Life Member – Beverley Community Resource Centre
  • Executive Committee Member – Beverley Frail Aged Lodge Inc.
  • Beverley Visitor Centre Ambassador & Volunteer Liaison
  • AICD Foundations of Directorship 2022
  • AIMWA/UWA Co-ops and Mutuals Strategic Development Program

Katrina Crute

Committee Member

Qualification & Experience:

  • Former Councillor, Shire of Brookton (2009–2025), including serving as Shire President from 2017–2025
  • Extensive experience in local government governance, strategic planning, financial oversight and regional advocacy
  • More than 30 years’ experience in the agricultural transport and freight sector and small business owner since 2003
  • Diploma of Local Government (Elected Member) and Diploma of Accounting
  • Member of the inaugural Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network Steering Committee and working group that secured $187.5 million for Wheatbelt local government freight routes
  • Active community volunteer with a strong interest in sustainable regional development and strengthening Wheatbelt communities
Steve Gollan

Stephen Gollan

Committee Member

Qualification & Experience:

  • CEO, Shire of Beverley
  • 41 years experience in local government across Beverley, Wickepin, Gnowangerup
  • Former Deputy Chair, WA Country Cricket Board
  • Committee Member, WA Master Cricket
  • Treasurer Beverley Golf Club
  • Fellow Australian Institute of Management
  • Diploma of Business (TAFE)
  • Graduate Certificate of Local Government Management (Deakin University)

Darren Mollenoyux

Committee Member

Qualification & Experience:

  • Associate Consultant, 150Square (2024 – present)
  • Executive Officer Roe Regional Organisation of Councils (2024 – present)
  • Over 27 years experience in Local Government across Bruce Rock, Trayning, Mukinbudin
  • Former Member of Central East Accommodation & Care Alliance (2014 – 2024)
  • Member of LG Professionals WA, and Past President and Committee member of LG Professionals Central Wheatbelt 2011 – 2024
  • Former member of Bruce Rock Local Health Advisory Group
    Former Board Member of Bruce Rock District High School
  • Former Secretary, committee member and player of Bruce Rock Football Club 2012 – 2022
  • Over 30 years of volunteering in various sporting and community groups across various Wheatbelt communities
  • Diploma of Management

Sean Fletcher

Committee Member

Qualification & Experience:

  • Experienced local government CEO and is currently the CEO at the Shire of Victoria Plains.
  • Worked in the local government sector for 24 years including: management and executive roles across WA and as a WALGA trainer and also as an independent consultant.
  • Prior to his time in local government he worked in the Energy Industry, including at the Office of Energy and SECWA.
  • Independent Chair of the Shire of Chittering’s Audit and Risk Committee.
  • Holds postgraduate qualifications in leadership and management (NEPEAN) and regional development (UWA).

Dr Alistair Pinto

Committee Member

Qualification & Experience:

  • CEO, Shire of Wandering
  • Relatively new leader in local government
  • Over a decade experience with the WA Country Health Service in senior management and Executive roles across multiple regions
  • Member of Local Government Professionals WA
  • Master of Health Management (MHM)
  • Doctor of Medicine in Psychiatry (MD)
  • Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.)
  • Diploma in Community Development

Renee Lynch

Committee Member

Qualification & Experience:

  • Member, Grain Growers National Policy Group
  • Member, Narembeen District High School Board
  • Member, Narembeen Volunteer Fire & Emergency Services Committee
  • Managing Director, Emu Hill Pastoral mixed farming enterprise
  • Former Member, Cooperative Bulk Handling Growers Advisory Council
  • Former Member, Grain Industry of WA Careers in Grain Board
  • Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
  • Fellow of the Aust Rural Leadership Foundation (FARLF)
  • Bachelor of Commerce and a Batchelor of Arts (BCom, BA)

Let's create opportunities for the Wheatbelt

Whether you’re developing a project, looking for funding, seeking regional insight or exploring opportunities for collaboration, our team can help connect you with the right support.

Contact RDA Wheatbelt