Our Board


Mr Oral McGuire, Chair Term of office until 31 December 2024 Oral McGuire is a Noongar entrepreneur and landholder. He brings strong cultural knowledge, community networks and business knowledge to the WDC Board. He was born in Beverley and grew up in Northam, attending all his primary and high school days in the Wheatbelt. Oral is a prominent Noongar community leader, landholder and long-term champion of Aboriginal economic empowerment and capacity building, with specific experience in traditional land and fire management practices and cultural governance. Oral is a Director of the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Chair of the Noongar Landholder Enterprise Inc. and a member of the RegenWA Steering Committee.

Ms Kerryn Chia Representing Community Term of Office to 30 June 2023 Kerryn has a diverse background having worked in the agricultural sector, academia, the corporate sector and local government. She is the fourth generation in a southern Wheatbelt farming family and is currently an active business partner in a mixed enterprise family farm. She has also completed a doctoral research project whilst living in the Wheatbelt and brings her research and analytical skills to her role on the Board. Kerryn is passionate about the long term sustainability of rural communities and her current work with the Shire of West Arthur includes strategic planning, community consultation and economic development.

Ms Julie Flockart Representing Local Government Term of Office until 31 December 2023 Julie Flockart has an agricultural, community and small business development background and has been actively involved in a range of small businesses in the retail and hospitality service industries. Over the past three decades, Julie has worked in many roles across the Eastern Wheatbelt and is currently a Shire of Merredin Councillor, Chairperson of the Merredin College School Board, Board member on the Merrittville Aged Care Village and is involved with the local Historical Museum and tourism working group.

Mr Shane Kay Representing Community Term of Office until 30 June 2024 Shane Kay is the Chief Executive Officer of the Moora Group WA (including Moora Citrus, Northern Valley Packers and Sandgroper Fruits) and a Director of peak industry body, Citrus Australia and Delite Growers of Australia. He possesses over 30 years experience in citrus production, packing and exporting and is a grower collaborator for research in the citrus industry.

Ms Leslee Holmes Representing Local Government Term of office to 31 December 2023 Leslee is Shire President of Dandaragan and is a member of the Joint Chambers Alliance Cervantes/Jurien Bay as Tourism Leader. Leslee has held leadership roles at a State level, is Business Manager of Total Tennis Reabold and received the Margaret Court Award for Outstanding Service to Tennis in Western Australia. Leslee is currently involved in tourism, small business development and marketing.

Ms Susan Hall Acting Chief Executive Officer - Ex officio Susan Hall commenced as A/CEO of the WDC in February 2023. She has undertaken previous secondments within the WDC as A/CEO and A/Regional Director during 2021. Susan comes to the WDC from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, where she has worked as Executive Director - Agribusiness Food and Trade, and Manager – Investment Services. She brings extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, communications, trade and investment, and project and public sector management. She holds a Masters in Business Administration, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Susan grew up in the Wheatbelt on a farm in Quairading.