Who we are
The committee brings together local business, government, community leaders, training providers, industry representatives, high schools and unions to ensure training and employment solutions are more accurately aligned with local skills needs and economic activity to support regional jobs growth.
Our Mission
Jobs Bundaberg supports the growth and development of a strong, capable and skilled workforce across industry sectors in the Bundaberg region.
Our Members
Bree Watson
CHAIR
CEO
Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers
“With over five years’ experience of executive leadership and ten years in the not-for-profit sector Bree is a passionate advocate for the horticulture industry and brings strong connections to the Board. Born in Bundaberg to a farming family Bree understands first hand the value of hard work and resilience and is driven in her work ethic that challenges herself and the people around her to be leaders who are passionate, consistent, determined and respectful. Bringing a diverse skillset to the Board from project and financial management, to media liaison and corporate governance Bree is always looking for new opportunities to grow, develop and be involved in the community.”
Ben Artup
BOARD MEMBER
Executive Director Strategic Projects and Economic Development
Bundaberg Regional Council
Ben Artup is an Economist with over 20 years experience in local economic development and labour market policy. Prior to joining Bundaberg Regional Council in 2017, Ben was a Director in Deloitte Access Economics’ Western Sydney practice. Ben has designed and delivered several local labour market reform programs in some of Australias most challenged regions
Chris Gill
BOARD MEMBER
Principal
Bundaberg State High School
Chris has been an educator for over 30 years with 25 of those years spent in the Bundaberg community. His commitment to the development of young people in our community extends beyond the school gate. For around 15 years he has involved locally, in the Wide Bay and within Queensland School Sport as a coach, manager and Chair of the State-wide Australian Football Association. He is also currently on the Board of Wide Bay School sport where he continue to promote sport for all young people, particularly those from the Bundaberg Region. Chris’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Secondary Education and a Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration.
I am committed to the development of career pathways for the youth of Bundaberg. For a number of years I have been involved in leading and contributing to organisations that support employment pathways for all of our young people. I also contribute to my profession whereby I am an active member of the Queensland Secondary Principals Association, a Principal Representative of the Queensland Teachers Union and a leader within our Industry Reference Group. I have also been a committee member of Brother’s Netball Club and I am the current Vice President of Brother’s Sports Club.
Michelle Kennedy
BOARD MEMBER
HR Officer
Wide Bay Hospital & Health Service
Michelle brings extensive experience in health industry recruitment to her role with Jobs Fraser Coast. A strong human resources professional, Michelle has a degree in Human Resources Management and Services.
Greg McMahon
BOARD MEMBER
CEO
YMCA Bundaberg
Greg has been involved in the Community Services Sector, primarily Disability Services for 30 years.
My management career in disability commenced with the Endeavour Foundation in Bundaberg. The role covered the supported accommodation, day therapy and respite services for people with an intellectual disability.
In 2000, Greg took on the role of General Manager for Bundaberg Accommodation Support Services (BASS). The service changed its name to Community Lifestyle Support (CLS) in Bundaberg and became and continues to be a dominant service provider in the Bundaberg Disability Services sector. During his time at CLS, he relished the opportunity to engage with a broader spectrum of service delivery models across the age spectrum 0- 65years, including complex special needs, ambulant and non-ambulant disability.
In 2008, it was time for a change of scenery. An opportunity came in Darwin with Carpentaria Disability Services (CDS), the position of Chief Executive of Carpentaria Disability Services (CDS) in Darwin. He stayed for 9 years and oversaw the funding of 20 million not-for-profit community services hub.
In 2017, it was time to come home to Bundaberg and the role of CEO at the YMCA of Bundaberg. The YMCA of Bundaberg is currently in the process of implementing a multi-stage masterplan to develop its Quinn St Campus into a not-for-profit community services hub. When complete the hub will comprise like-minded NFP partners who will bring skills and services to early childhood , youth services and community wellbeing and disability/social housing.
Karen McMonigal
BOARD MEMBER
Senior Safety, Culture & People HR Manager
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks
Karen McMonigal is a Human Resource and Safety professional with over 15 years’ experience in the manufacturing industry.
Other industries Karen has worked in are hospitality and health.
Moving to Bundaberg in 2003 with her family, she joined the Iconic brand of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks where people and safety are her passion.
Katherine Reid
BOARD MEMBER
CEO
Bundaberg Tourism
Holding the position of Chief Executive for Bundaberg Tourism since 2015, Katherine has taken an active lead on destination marketing, visitor services, product and experience development initiatives across the Bundaberg region, for sustainable destination development. Bringing to the role a holistic understanding of regional tourism and small business, Katherine represents the needs of tourism in a number of regional and state forums, from eco-tourism to business capability building and workforce. The current Deputy Chair of the Queensland Regional Tourism Network and a Director on the Queensland Tourism Industry Council Board, Katherine is able to offer the Jobs Bundaberg committee a broad perspective on tourism and hospitality workforce opportunities and challenges. As a collaborative and inclusive leader, Katherine recognises the shared responsibility to ensure planning and investment is channelled towards a skilled workforce for the jobs of the future Bundaberg.
Luke Sinclair
BOARD MEMBER
Associate Vice-President
CQU Gladstone and Wide Bay Burnett Regions
Luke Sinclair is the Associate Vice-President (AVP) for CQUniversity’s Gladstone and Wide Bay Burnett Regions.
In this role he has responsibility for the business development and growth of CQUniversity in these regions, fostering opportunities for regional engagement and research, and overseeing the pastoral care of students and staff.
In addition to his AVP duties, Luke works within the Learning and Teaching Services area managing Academic Pathways and Engagement which encompasses overseeing the credit and articulation applications and agreements with students and other institutions, as well as the implementation of a University-wide approach to Work Integrated Learning.
As Jobs Bundaberg’s representative for the higher education sector, Luke is always keen to hear from industry and community leaders for how CQUniversity can engage further in terms of research, learning and placements for our students.
Bronson Thomas
BOARD MEMBER
Central Region Organiser
Australian Workers Union
“As a Central Queensland Organiser for the Australian Workers’ Union, Bronson is a fierce advocate for permanent, secure, and well-paid employment across Regional Queensland.
Proud to call Bundaberg home, Bronson represents employees across a wide variety of industries in Bundaberg and the broader Wide Bay-Burnett Region, and brings this experience to his role at Jobs Bundaberg.
Bronson has also had experience working in Local, State and Federal Government and has played key roles in community led campaigns.
Bronson completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Queensland majoring in Public Policy and International Relations.”
Mark Vincent JP (Qual.)
BOARD MEMBER
Regional Manager – Wide Bay
East Coast Apprenticeships
Mark is an experienced Regional Manager and Field Officer with extensive knowledge in apprenticeships, traineeships, training, pastoral care, mentoring and human resources. Mark also has strong sales and business development skills acquired from many roles in the employment, disability, Australian Apprentice Support Network, Construction and Group Training industries.
Currently Mark is managing multiple staff for East Coast Apprenticeships across 2 offices in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay and is also the field officer for many apprentices & trainees within the Bundaberg region.
Mark has also provided many years of service as a volunteer to the Bundaberg community through coaching/managing sporting teams in Football and Junior/Senior Touch Football, has held many roles on various sporting club committees. Since 2018, Mark has also been a volunteer Justice of the Peace (JP) for the Bundaberg branch of Queensland Justice Association.
Sotera Trevaskis
BOARD MEMBER
Director of Regional Development
Sotera Trevaskis is RDA Wide Bay Burnett’s Director of Regional Development. She brings extensive experience in policy, strategy development and project management and has worked across numerous industry sectors including healthcare, retail, Indigenous economic development, agribusiness and government.
Sotera is passionate about regional economic development and working with community, business and all levels of government to build stronger, more inclusive and vibrant regional communities. She regularly volunteers for a range of not-for-profit organisations and has a heart for working with groups and individuals who make a positive impact on the community.
She holds qualifications in Policy and Public Management, Project Management and Business Administration.
Tim Sayre
Project Officer
Jobs Bundaberg
Tim has been an active member of the Bundaberg business community for well over a decade now and brings to the role of Project Officer, a passion for business growth and employment.
Having lived in Bundaberg for over 20 years, Tim has worked not only in small business, but with not-for-profit organisations, community organisations and in State Government positions, but it’s his drive to see our business community succeed that brings him to Jobs Bundaberg and the Project Officer role.
Tim recognises that the Bundaberg jobs market has seen seismic shifts in the last few years, with focus moving from “finding jobs for people” to one of “finding people for jobs”, and it’s this change that will be a challenge for employers and Jobs Bundaberg alike.
Our Goals
Jobs Bundaberg works with local, regional, state and commonwealth partners to:
- Plan for the future through proactive monitoring of industry trends and identifying upskilling and reskilling opportunities through education and training.
- Advocate for investment in training and skills that aligns to regional jobs and employment growth.
- Drive and build the footprint, skills and connection to education pathways to ensure a job ready workforce.
- Leverage and coordinate existing local resources and assets to enable skills development within the region.
- Partner with those who are working to bring investment to Bundaberg, demonstrating our commitment to thinking about the job and skill requirements to secure the investment.
- Advocate to build sustainability through building existing workforce resilience and flexibility, to meet the moving skills needs across industry.