Andrew Bowles – President of the Board
Andrew holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science, Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, and Diploma of Business. He has served as an Anglican minister for over 15 years and is currently Vicar of St. Mark’s in Emerald. Andrew values sustainability and authentic community and wants to help people know God truly and deeply in all areas of their lives.
Paul Emms – Treasurer
Paul is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand and has over 30 years’ experience in finance, including 18 years with Deloitte where he became a director of the firm. Once retired, Paul looked at ways to use his skills to support the local community and began volunteering with ECHO in 2012.
Andy Walker – Secretary
In his business life, Andy was a director of a subsidiary of an international industrial electronics manufacturer. After retirement, he became the Treasurer of ECHO in 2004 where he has served in various capacities ever since. He is committed to helping those in the community who have been less fortunate in their lives.
Shelley Conway – Board Member
Shelley is passionate about the wellbeing of children and providing them adult role models and opportunities to be heard, so they have the confidence to be the best they can be. She has been involved in children’s programs and mentoring in the local community for over 30 years. Shelley currently works in disability services and provides volunteer admin support to local organisations.
Mark Lobbe – Board Member
Mark joined the Board in 2020 as a representative of St Luke’s Anglican Church, where he has been the Treasurer and a Parish Council Member for the past 8 years. He holds logistic accreditations, a diploma in accounting, and a graduate diploma in small business management. Mark is passionate about ensuring that not-for-profits are run professionally, compassionately, and effectively. He is a great believer in the wonderful community outcomes that the current ECHO programs are facilitating.
Andrew McLean – Board Member
Andrew holds a Bachelor of Applied Science Photography and has spent the last 35 years working as a researcher for the Defence Science & Technology Organisation, now known as DST Group. He has been a long-time member of the local church and believes that everyone has value and deserves to be respected and supported to achieve their best. Andrew believes that the Christian Church, its teachings, and values has an important place in our society and wherever it is absent, society is the poorer for it.
Russell Soderlund – Board Member
Russell holds a master’s degree in agricultural science and management. Throughout his career he was involved in the commercialisation of agricultural technologies for particular plant varieties, including funding of horticultural research and marketing organisation development/services. As a consultant he provided services related to IP commercialisation and IP management in the fruit industries including variety evaluation, commercialisation, licensing, and trademark management. Russell is passionate about the role of the church in helping with the development of local community – in many dimensions – locally, in Australia and overseas.