Board
Board
The Kimberley Development Commission Board is established under the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 (WA) and comprises the following membership:
- 2 members representing the regional community;
- 2 members representing Local Government;
- 2 members appointed at the Minister’s discretion;
- Chief Executive.
The Board is appointed by and responsible to the Minister for Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Hydrogen Industry; the HON Don Punch BPsych BSocwk MBA MLA
The Board is an accountable authority and advises the Minister on matters affecting the development of the region and sets the primary directions for the Commission.
Appointments to the Board are made for terms of up to three years following an appointment process in accordance with the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 (WA).
Board Members
The Honourable Tom Stephens OAM JP BA GAICD
MINISTERIAL REPRESENTATIVE, APPOINTED 2022
Chairperson
Previously a regional member of the State Parliament (1982-2013), Tom Stephens served as Minister for Regional Development (2001-2003) and has continued to maintain an active involvement across regional Western Australia.Currently serving on a number of boards and committees in both the non-for-profit and government sector, in roles which include the WA Regional Development Trust; Chair of the WA Geographic Names Committee; Trustee with MercyCare WA; Board Member of DSF SPELD; and as an Independent Director with MG and WDLAC.
Cr Desiree Male
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE, APPOINTED 2020
Member
Cr Male and her family are long term residents of Broome where she is the Director and Proprietor of three separate businesses; Male & Co Pty Ltd; Male & Co Financial Services & Male & Co Accounting Services since 2008. Further to serving as a Councillor, Shire of Broome since 2009, Desiree was appointed to the position of Deputy President, Shire of Broome in 2018.
With qualifications including a Bachelor of Business (Accounting & Information Systems) and Diploma of Financial Services (RG 146), Desiree has completed CPA and CFP programs, holds an Australian Taxation License and has substantial experience in both the public practice and commercial environments. She has a diverse range of skills from taxation specialisation to staff and client management and her business focus is on providing better advice for clients on tax, superannuation and insurance.In her various roles, Cr Male hopes to assist Kimberley businesses reach their full potential and is committed to working with the Kimberley Community to shape the future of the region.
Cr David Menzel
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTED 2021
Member
Cr Menzel moved to the Kimberley from western Victoria in 1992 with his family. He is the current President, Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley and an established Grower in the Ord River Irrigation Area. With a background in farming in Victoria (mixed farming and wool) and the Kimberley (irrigated agriculture) and pastoral industry in the Pilbara, Cr Menzel has both farming and leadership qualifications and considerable leadership experience gained through a range of appointments. These include Managing Director, Barradale Farm since 1996; Board Member, Ord River District Co-operative since 2014; Board Member, Cambridge Gulf Limited since 2010; Chairman Ord River Irrigation Co-operative since 2010; and Councillor and President, Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley since 2017.
Former appointments held include: member of the Prime Minister’s Northern Australia Advisory Board (2014) and member the Ord East Kimberley Expansion Project (2008-2013) Community Reference Group. In terms of his contribution to the Commission’s Board and regional development of the Kimberley, as a progressive thinker Cr Menzel is especially interested in using his experience to assist with the socio-economic development of the region. This, with the aim of maximising positive outcomes and enabling a stronger level of self-determination for the Community.
Ms Kira Fong
MINISTERIAL REPRESENTATIVE, APPOINTED 2019
Member
Ms Fong is the Chief Operations Officer at Goolarri Media Enterprises, Broome. With an overarching interest in leadership and advancing young people, Ms Fong has served as Secretary, Country Arts WA (2011-2014), Chairperson Cable Beach Primary School (2015-2019), Chairperson Broome Cluster of Independent Public Schools (2018-2019) and has a history of achievements in promoting Aboriginal well being. Kira has also received the Order of Australia (General Division) in the 2020 Australia Day Honours List for service to the Indigenous community of the Kimberley.
Ms Fong has a background in events management and leadership development with qualifications in management and accredited training. She owned and operated niche events between 1997 and 2003. Building on her early experience Ms Fong founded the high profile Kimberley Girl program in 2004 designed to build confidence and capacity in young Aboriginal women. As the program has expanded beyond the Kimberley as the Young Indigenous Women’s Pathways Project, Ms Fong continues to maintain a strong involvement in her current position with Goolarri Media.
Ms Nini Mills
CEO OF NYAMBA BURU YAWURU
Member
A highly accomplished community leader in Broome. Nini has over ten years' experience in senior strategic and management roles, equally fluent in the worlds of service delivery and economic development.
Mr Ben Burton
OPERATIONS MANAGER OF EMAMA NGUDA ABORIGINAL CORPORATION
Member
Ben is dedicated to helping the people of his community. Aboriginal Youth and making the Kimberley a thriving region.
Mr Chuck Berger
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Member, Ex Officio
Chuck Berger was appointed CEO of the Kimberley Development Commission in December 2021. With a diverse background in the private and not-for-profit sectors, Chuck brings to the KDC a strong interest and experience in new industry development, integrated human service delivery, and strengthening the capacity and resilience of Aboriginal communities.
Raised in Kansas (USA), he studied law at Yale Law School and practiced corporate law in New York and Brussels, before migrating to Australia in 2003. Since then, he has served as Director of Strategic Ideas at the Australian Conservation Foundation, CEO of Outdoors Victoria, and Manager of Kimberley Community Legal Services. Chuck has also held appointments including Chair of Community Legal WA (2018-2021), Board member and later Co-Chair of East Kimberley College (2018-21), Board member of the Australian Consumers Association (2009-2012), and Board member of Community Legal Centres Australia (2020-21).
Useful Links
Invest In the Kimberley
The Kimberley boasts many progressive, vibrant and promising industries with large potential for future growth.
Annual Report
Ensuring the transparency and accountability for the Kimberley Development Commission.
Our Region
The Kimberley is a complex landscape that represents one sixth of Western Australia’s land mass; equivalent to twice the size of Victoria.
Local Content
Our Local Content Advisor will help develop, promote and maximise opportunities in the regions.