FIVE new appointees have been announced to fill vacancies on the boards of the Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges (QATC).
Agriculture minister Bill Byrne said Department of Agriculture acting deputy director-general Leith Brown and Longreach Regional Council councillor Tony Rayner would take up positions on the QATC governing board.
“Ms Brown has extensive expertise in corporate governance and financial management,” Mr Byrne said.
“Cr Rayner is general manager of Remote Area Planning and Development Board Employment Services, and has many years’ experience in senior primary industries roles with the Queensland Government.
“He was formerly the executive director of the Australian Agricultural Colleges Corporation, which later became the QATC. He is also a councillor of the Longreach Regional Council.”
Mr Byrne said the governing board of the QATC decides the corporation’s strategies and its operational, administrative and financial policies.
The board was also responsible for ensuring the corporation performs its functions in a proper, effective and efficient way, and acts in accordance with its strategic and operational plans.
Appointments were also made to the local college boards.
Cr Rayner will also serve as deputy chair of the Longreach Pastoral College board alongside new board member Belinda Turner who is skilled in agribusiness and financial management.
Richard Pietsch, previously the deputy chair, has been appointed as chair of the Longreach board.
Kerryn Piggott will join the Emerald Agricultural College board, bringing her invaluable expertise in rural management.
Mr Byrne said the new appointees would work closely with their fellow board members to oversee the day-to-day operations of the colleges.
“The local college boards are responsible for key business planning and performance matters and curriculum development,” he said.
“The appointments are effective up to June 2017, which coincides with the expiry of the remaining QATC board members’ terms of appointment.
“QATC is an important link in Queensland’s training and skills chain, providing a pathway for young people entering the broad-acre agricultural industry, as well as further industry training for existing workers and owners.”
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