meet the board

Meet the Co-op Board

John Monty - Chairperson
John retired and moved from Sydney to Rockley in 2016 and is currently restoring the old presbytery of St Patrick’s Catholic Church.
John trained as a horticulturalist and started teaching horticulture at the Ryde School of Horticulture in the 1990’s.
John was the Faculty Manager, Environment and Horticulture, for the Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE for 10 years. In this role he was responsible for the educational delivery and managing the budget across a wide range of disciplines.
John is currently involved in a number of activities including the Rockley Artisan’s Market, Rockley Gardens and Art Festival and the Rockley and District Community Association.

Kiri Armstrong - Joint Treasurer
I have been a member of the Co-Op since 2012. After walking up the stairs one day and wondering what was going on in the former games’ shop, I saw Jan Page, my next-door neighbour. We talked and I was hooked. I became a volunteer and member almost immediately. Between other jobs and travel I have been a consistent member, volunteer and at times paid staff member of the Co-Op over the past 10 years. My most recent position was Shop Coordinator.

I believe I bring a thorough knowledge of the shop to the Board: how the shop has operated; things that have worked and things that haven’t; suppliers, volunteers and customers. Personally, I have an array of administrative and personal skills that I believe could be very useful. I also have a network of contacts associated with past roles and the Co-op over time that could come in handy.

Wendy Inwood - Joint Treasurer
because I have been a passionate volunteer, shopper, and paid employee of the Co-op since 2015, and I want to see the Co-op thrive into the future. I currently have a set 5 hours of paid work and 8 hours of volunteer work each week and fill in for other shifts as required. With the exception of management, I have experience in all aspects of the Co-op including sales, stock and liaison with staff, volunteers and suppliers.

I have a vision for the Co-op where members feel they play a significant role in the success of the Co-op. This would result from greater communication between members and the Board, a stronger sense of community and a transparent focus on the financial situation of the Co-op. The Co-op is an amazing institution. It combines sustainability with community and it is vital it reach its full potential.

Olga McKinnon - Secretary
Olga joined the Co-op two years ago as a supplier and volunteer. Now semi-retired after a long career in education Olga has time to devote to other interests. In combining these interests with her Italian heritage, it is no surprise that Olga loves all things associated with food and its production. Olga’s immigrant parents rarely bought any food, most of it being grown on their farm/vineyard. Olga’s Board profile photo shows her standing in front of a nectarine tree, a descendant of one grown by her parents and transported to her current garden. Olga says it represents a link with family and the values of growing and eating local produce.

“In my role as a member of the BWC Board I hope to encourage and help promote the Co-op’s mission of sourcing local and organic produce. The Co-op represents the potential within our community for sustainable food production and consumption, a goal shared by the Co-op membership”. Olga Mckinnon

Graham Stirling – Graham has been an active member of the Board for the past three years but loves the job so much he has put his hand up for renomination. During his time on the Board, Graham has taken ownership of several projects including the coordination of freezer replacement and involvement with funding opportunities. Graham holds a Masters in Environmental Management and has a passion for environmental conservation and sustainability. In addition, Graham has extensive experience managing teams in regional Australia.

Sandra Martin
I came to Bathurst in 2007 with my family after accepting a job transfer to CSU. A quiet supporter of the Co-op, and the access it provides to local and organic produce, I have been in an out of the store as a customer appreciating the products and service the Co-op offers. I have also been a staff member at the Co-op, and have learned the deeper aspects of how the Co-op functions. I have a long career in administration and love to work in the change management space, re-engineering and re-invigorating services and processes. I am currently working in food rescue with a local not for profit, helping to reduce food wastage wherever I can.

Amanda Byrom – Amanda has experience in Public Relations, Marketing, Promotion, Retail, Human Resource Management and Not-for-profit organisations generally. She has been a very reliable, enthusiastic, and valued member of the Co-op volunteer team for twelve months and would bring a fresh, youthful perspective to the Board.