TWO new representatives for Mount Gambier City Council have been appointed to the Queen Elizabeth Park Trust board.
The nominations follow a turbulent period for the Trust which saw council city growth general manager Dr Judy Nagy and councillor Kate Amoroso resign from the roles, followed by the public release of details surrounding the financial struggles of the Trust and its management of the Blue Lake Public Golf Links.
Endorsed by elected members earlier this month, Raelene Justice and Gary Jaffer hope to bring a fresh outlook to the Trust board as it navigates through these issues and beyond.
Previously the Trust’s secretary for around 19 years, Ms Justice said the vacancies were interesting “considering what has been going on”.
“I just thought I may be able to help if possible and I do have a lot of knowledge about how the trust works,” Ms Justice said.
Ms Justice said she was “very surprised” at only four nominations being put forward to fill the two City Council positions on offer.
“Within the whole population of Mount Gambier, I did not expect only four nominations,” she said.
“Especially after all the comments around town about the Trust.”
Looking forward to being on the board, Ms Justice said she hoped to bring a “bit of stability”.
“My basic idea is to just go along and find out what it is all about as well as what is going on, what is needed and what is required,” she said.
“I want to go and see how the land lies and work from there, look back on what has happened within the past 12 months and help the Trust move forward.”
Mr Jaffer, who is new to the Limestone Coast community, said he nominated to start his journey as “part of the community”.
“I put my hand up because I want to begin getting involved with the local community,” Mr Jaffer said.
“I am new to the region and when you come into a rural regional community, you simply need to begin meeting people.”
Mr Jaffer has previously sat on a number of boards including chairing the management committee of Disability Services Programs at Flinders University for the past four years, leading them through the transition to NDIS.
“I have no idea what to expect and have read bits and pieces about the trust but would like to know a lot more about it,” Mr Jaffer said.
Mr Jaffer said he “does not go into things with expectations” until knowing the “lay of the land”.
“For me the first board meeting will be just sitting back and listening to what is going on and seeing how things are,” he said.
“I am delighted to be a council representative on the board and am delighted to get a foot into the community and bring forward some of my expertise.”
The Trust was expected to meet with Blue Lake Golf Club members last night to discuss a proposed business model for the financially embattled course.
