The Governing Council plays a key role as South Regional TAFE's governing body to oversee operations and drive strategic direction. The Governing Council is responsible for ensuring that clear management, effective decision making and governance frameworks are in place and functioning.
The Governing Council consists of a Chair person, Deputy Chair person, the Managing Director and between 6-10 other members. Governing Council members are appointed by the Minister Assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development. Each council member is selected for their experience in education and training, industry or community affairs. Members are appointed for a term of up to 3 years and at the end of their term are eligible to apply for re-appointment.
Shape Western Australia’s TAFE sector
The Minister for Skills and TAFE invites senior leaders with governance and strategy skills and experience to apply for a Governing Council position in Western Australia’s TAFE sector.
If you have skills, experience and expertise in education and training, industry or community engagement, and an ability to contribute to the strategic direction of the WA TAFE sector, express your interest now.
Experience on Government boards or committees is highly desirable.
Under the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996, Governing Councils play a key role in the governance, strategy and oversight of TAFE Colleges within the Western Australian Government policy framework.
Expressions of interest for membership of South Regional TAFE Governing Council are invited.
Expressions of interest are also sought for the Deputy Chairperson position at South Regional TAFE.
Members of Governing Councils are remunerated for their services.
The State Government is committed to increasing the representation of women on Government boards and committees and supports diversity in the appointment to boards and committees.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds are warmly invited to apply.
Applicants are required to submit a brief curriculum vitae (maximum two pages) using the approved proforma, together with the following completed forms:
- Fit and Proper Person Declaration (signed and witnessed); and
- Private Interests Declaration (signed and dated).
Applications must be lodged by Friday, 13 November 2026 via email to TAFEgovernance@dtwd.wa.gov.au
Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing (PRIS): Collection Notice - Personal information of applicants provided during the application process will be collected, used, stored, and shared in accordance with relevant privacy legislation and organisational policies to support the selection, appointment, and governance processes.
The curriculum vitae proforma, declaration forms, PRIS Collection Notice and further information regarding Governing Council membership and the application process are available from the links below.
Information package:
Applicant information (1 MB) (PDF document)
TAFE College Governing Council Handbook (866 KB) (PDF document)
For information on the operations of the South Regional TAFE Governing Council contact:
Leigh Ritchie
South Regional TAFE
Directorate.Services@srtafe.wa.edu.au
0419 942 785
Governing Council
Susan is an experienced senior manager with broad experience on boards and governing councils.
During her 30 year career in the State public sector, Susan held several Senior Executive Service positions.
As a consultant, Susan specialises in change management, strategic planning, organisational design, leadership training and building resilient corporate cultures.
Garry works for Iluka Resources as the South West Operations Manager and brings with him vast experience and knowledge of the Mining and Power Industries, including a strong safety and sustainability focus. He is a keen industry advocate and strives to see continuous improvement throughout the industry, particularly developing skills and education for future careers.
Noelle retired after a long term career with the Australian Medical Association
(WA) and joined the Governing Council in 2021 with a wealth of experience on
various boards and advisory groups. Noelle has a keen interest in training and was responsible for various vocational education and training sector initiatives during her time with the AMA.
Mike is a retired partner of the accounting firm RSM. Through his 41 years of working with businesses and organisations, he brings a wide range of skills and knowledge to the areas of finance and management and the ability to evolve and adapt to an ever changing environment.
Professor Rudd is an experienced academic currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Regional Futures) at Edith Cowan University (ECU) which has ECU South West and a series of learning hubs in her portfolio.
She is an Australian Government National Teaching Fellow and has served two full terms on the State Training Board, and as a Non-Executive Director on a further additional 12 boards of governance including for international agencies.
Leah is an accomplished education professional with operational and strategic experience in education and training spanning more than 30 years.
Her career focused on new and emerging technologies to support learning design, teaching innovation and strategic curriculum design particularly for online learning environments.
Mike’s career includes being a board member, director, general manager, course coordinator, lecturer and musician.
He was the Head of Contemporary Music for 15 years at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and is currently the Director of the Great Southern Universities Centre and board member for the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Victoria is an experienced leader in education, small business, and regional economic development. She is the Chief Executive Officer of the Busselton Chamber of Commerce and Industry and serves on several advisory groups with the City of Busselton.
She is passionate about ensuring regional communities have a strong voice in shaping training and workforce pathways.
John Burns has more than 50 years’ experience working in large public teaching hospitals and private health service environments in Australia and overseas, with almost 30 years of significant board governance roles on Western Australian board and associations.
John spent 13 years as a Chief Executive Officer, 17 years in Executive Director positions, and had State responsibilities with WA Health’s Information Management to oversee development and implementation of clinical and corporate information systems. John was also the inaugural State Heath Emergency Director involved in reducing pressures on metropolitan hospital emergency departments and led WA’s health response to the Bali bombings.
He has been a Board member and Treasurer of Health Services Credit Union, 10 years as Chairman of a travel company, foundation Board member of Harry Perkins Institute Medical Research, Chairman WA Australian Healthcare Association and National Vice-President, Australian Healthcare Association.
John holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Diploma of Health Administration, and is a Fellow Certified Practicing Accountants.
Dr Lyn Farrell has a particular passion about the benefits of higher education and a focus on providing learning pathways for people from diverse backgrounds. She has held senior executive positions in the Vocational Education and Training and the University sectors.
Lyn was Dean of Edith Cowan University’s South West Campus for nine years, and has been Pilbara TAFE Managing Director, North Metropolitan TAFE General Manager Training Services, Director Goldfields Vocational Education and Training Centre, and CEO of Abmusic. Lyn has also held ministerial appointments as a member of the Training Accreditation Council and Chair of the Rural, Regional Remote Women’s Network.
Lyn’s formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma (Higher Education) from Murdoch University, a Masters in Professional Education and Training from Deakin University and a Doctorate of Education from the University of New England. She also holds a Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Blair is an ex-officio member of the Governing Council by virtue of his position as Managing Director of South Regional TAFE.