Jason Bourke has joined Variety – the Children’s Charity as Regional Director. Jason has spent the past 10 years as the Executive Officer of the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation where he oversaw the Foundation’s philanthropic operations. Prior to that Jason was the Executive Manager – Tourism and Promotions for Orange City Council. Jason joined Variety in February in a new role providing leadership and management of Variety NSW regional operations.

Fiona Nelson is a Partner at Moray & Agnew Lawyers. Fiona is a senior property and commercial lawyer with experience in NSW and Queensland. Fiona has demonstrated credentials in managing major projects spanning acquisitions and disposals, retail and commercial leasing, staged and mixed use developments and master planned communities. Her experience include General Counsel for Australia’s largest master planning community, Greater Springfield.

Hunter Plastic Surgery has further strengthened its expertise and services with the appointment of Dr Yezdi Mistry. Specialising in hand and skin cancer surgery, Dr Mistry is a qualified plastic surgeon with experience in both Australia and New Zealand. He is Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and recently worked at John Hunter Hospital's Hand and Micro Surgery Unit specialising in hand reconstructive operations and wrist disorders.

Shaw Gidley, Insolvency & Reconstruction Specialists has promoted Joshua Robb to Senior Manager. Joshua has practiced Insolvency law and administration since 2006 having experienced all aspects of both personal and corporate insolvency administrations. Joshua is a member of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association and Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand.

Dr Caroline Hodge, Consultant Paediatrician, has joined the multidisciplinary team at EDUCARE, Charlestown. Dr Hodge has a double specialty in Community Child Health and Rehabilitation. She has worked for Kaleidoscope since 2002 and has also undertaken training in Tasmania, Adelaide and Dorset UK. Dr Hodge also has a special interest in working with children with brain injury, cerebral palsy, children in foster or kinship care, and children with difficult behaviour or developmental concerns.

Graeme Vennell, CEO of Custom Fluidpower has joined the board of the (HMA). Graeme has extensive experience in the Hydraulics and Lubrication sectors. He has experience in business sustainability through challenging economic environments, mergers and acquisitions, consolidation and growth through implementation of business plans and management of company restructures, new business operating systems and nurturing of key vendor and customer relationships.

HMA Director, Steve Elliott, has been appointed Deputy Chair. Steve is the General Manager Manufacturing Wire and Tube at OneSteel. He is an experienced business leader with a background in chemical, metallurgical and process engineering industries and currently has manufacturing

responsibility for the OneSteel Wire and Tube businesses. He has a passion to see the expansion of manufacturing excellence in the Hunter, where he has lived for over 35 years.

Newcastle Airport has announced the appointment of Andrew Gill as Executive Manger Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer. After acting in the Executive Manager role since January this year he was formally appointed to the role following an extensive national and international search. Andrew’s areas of focus will be financial management, corporate governance, business analytics, legal and compliance, information technology, and work health and safety.

HMA Director, Dr Brendan Smith, has been appointed to the position of Public Officer. As the Managing Director and Principal of Courageous Consulting, Brendan is known for his innovative approach that supports leaders and organisations to be their best.

Edward Crawford has joined Colliers International as Director, Residential and Land, and will work with clients delivering residential projects across the region. Edward has extensive experience in major residential projects, including apartments and land subdivisions, and has worked with major property organisations in an advisory capacity. He is Chairman of the Property Council of Australia Hunter Chapter, and lectures in Property Economics and Finance at the UoN Master of Property programme.

(HMA) has appointed Steven Smith to its Board of Directors. Steven is the Managing Director of Advitech and has over 30 years’ experience in engineering and project management. He has been involved with HunterNet, as both Director and as Chairman, as well as the University of Newcastle as a member of the Course Advisory Committee for the School of Mechanical Engineering and the University of Newcastle Industry Scholarship Scheme (UNISS) Advisory Committee.

Nicole Smith has been appointed to the position of Operations Manager at EDUCARE Specialist Services, Charlestown. Nicole has a business and accounting background and brings considerable leadership and HR experience to the practice. She will oversee and manage the multidisciplinary team of 32 clinical and support staff which includes Consultant Psychiatrists and Paediatricians, Consulting Psychologists, Speech- Language Specialists and Occupational and Behavioural Therapists.