New Chair and Deputy Chair for Committee for Gippsland
The region’s lead industry representative voice to government, the Committee for Gippsland, has a new Board Chair.
Former Deputy Chair Sean Dignum has taken up the role following the retirement of Rochelle Wrigglesworth, who has been Board Chair since December 2021.
After nine years of service, Rochelle is retiring from the C4G Board and will continue to focus on her business advisory services firm, ForeFront, which she co-founded in Gippsland in 2013, providing strategic business advice, virtual CFO, and audit services.
“Rochelle is passionate about Gippsland and her commitment to creating a stronger future for our region, has been a strength for the Committee for Gippsland.
“On behalf of our Board, organisational team, and our members, we sincerely thank Rochelle for her dedication to driving positive outcomes for Gippsland.
“As Chair and Deputy Chair, both Sean and Rochelle have worked extensively together, so the elevation of Sean to his new position as Chair will ensure a seamless transition.
“A C4G Board member since 2016 and Deputy Chair since March 2022, Sean is an experienced leader having worked across government, business, community and not-for-profit sectors and the Board welcomes him to the role of Chair,” Mr Cantwell said.
Sean is principal of the advisory firm SDA Strategic and has extensive experience in public affairs and reputation risk management with specific expertise in advising government, boards and CEOs during issues containment, crisis management, policy implementation, service disruption, industrial disputation and organisational restructuring.
In the area of policy formulation and implementation, Sean has overseen the introduction of diverse regulatory and service changes in employment and workplace relations, health and energy.
Sean has a deep commitment to community service, with extensive experience across diverse boards and committees across health, youth, business and environment.
As a primary producer in West Gippsland, he is also a strong advocate for sustainable farming and sensible land management.
Joining Sean as the new Deputy Chair of the Committee for Gippsland is Energy Australia’s Yallourn Transition Leader, Lisa Gooding.
“Lisa brings with her extensive experience across business, energy and climate change policy with 20 years expertise advising government and industry, delivering structural economic reforms, and creating growth opportunities for businesses,” Mr Cantwell said.
Lisa grew up in the Latrobe Valley and knows firsthand the challenges facing the region and is passionate about collaborating with stakeholders to generate sustainable economic opportunities for Gippsland.
Lisa has previously worked for the Australian Public Service, the Business Council of Australia and as an Energy Adviser to the Federal Minister for Resources and Energy where she has contributed to Australia’s strategic energy policy.
Established in March 2011, the Committee for Gippsland (C4G) is an apolitical, not-for-profit and self-funded organisation which provides peak body representation for industry and community organisations across the Gippsland region.
C4G brings together business, industry, and community leaders from across Gippsland to collaborate on regional priorities to benefit Gippsland communities, and actively engages across the region with established industry sectors such as energy, agriculture, education, health, through to emerging businesses. The Committee's membership includes small to medium businesses through to large ASX listed companies, community organisations and education providers in the region.
Pictured in the Hunter Valley in 2013 are (from left) Committee for the Hunter Candice Crawford, C4G Board member Erin Coldham, Committee for the Hunter Richard Anicich, Committee for the Hunter Alice Thomson, C4G former Chair Rochelle Wrigglesworth, C4G new Chair Sean Dignum, C4G new Deputy Chair Lisa Gooding, and C4G CEO Tony Cantwell