Management Committee
SANDRA HOLEBROOK
PRESIDENT
With over 30 years of commercial business experience, Sandra has acquired a wide-reaching portfolio of skills and experience forged from holding financial, operational, and general management/director roles in a diverse range of sectors including retail, distribution, wholesaling, manufacturing and currently as CEO of a Not For Profit business on the Fraser Coast.
With extensive hands-on experience in the management of two national retail chains selling recorded music and office products, channel management of PCs and peripherals, as well as director roles and general management positions in cable distribution and contract manufacturing Sandra is passionate about using her unique skillset in developing, supporting, and assisting Hervey Bay’s business community to flourish.
REBECCA GREENSHIELDS
VICE PRESIDENT
Since completing her Masters Degree in Economics in 1998, Bec has worn many hats. From working in NZ, Sydney and London as a Statistician and Analytics Manager in Finance, to physically building and running an eco guest house in Ecuador, between the Andes and the Amazon.
In 2017, Bec moved with her husband and two children to Hervey Bay. She is proud to call Hervey Bay ‘home’. The family own and operate the multi-award winning local marine tourism business, Whalesong Cruises.
With entrepreneurial spirit, Bec enjoys trying new things and is unafraid to pursue new ventures. This has led to her developing a relevant and varied skills toolkit – analytics, sales, marketing, finance, business development, operations management, strategy and leadership.
Bec’s approach to business is pragmatic, yet with full heart and open mind. She believes in collaboration, innovation and creativity as well as getting the fundamentals right, no matter your industry. Through the Chamber of Commerce, she is looking forward to working with the broader business community in Hervey Bay, and making a positive contribution in whatever form that may come.
JAYDON CHRISTIE
TREASURER
Jayden is a dedicated professional with 15 years of experience as a resident of the Fraser Coast. As a qualified Accountant, Jayden has worked with both small and large firms, developing a strong passion for finance and a commitment to helping businesses succeed. Now a small business owner, Jayden thrives on fostering connections within the local business community and supporting others in their entrepreneurial journeys.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Jayden has been actively involved in many community and sporting groups on a volunteer basis. An avid sports enthusiast, he regularly competes in triathlons and ultra backyard marathons and is heavily involved in both Oztag and F45. Having witnessed the growth and challenges of the region over the years, Jayden is eager to collaborate with the Chamber of Commerce to contribute to the continued development of the Fraser Coast.
LISA ROBINSON-SMITH
SECRETARY
Born and raised in the Wide Bay region, Lisa’s journey in real estate began with deep roots in the building industry. Moving to Hervey Bay for High School, she naturally followed her family’s footsteps into the building trade, where she gained hands-on experience in both residential and commercial projects, eventually running the family building business. This background has given Lisa an exceptional understanding of property from the ground up. In 2008 Lisa transitioned into Property Management, honing her skills in the industry. By 2017, she made the seamless move into real estate sales where she quickly became known for not being your “typical agent”.
With a fresh approach and genuine care for her clients, Lisa earned recognition as one of Hervey Bay’s Top 5 Agents in 2021. Lisa’s reputation is built on more than just results. Known for her exceptional communication, patience and empathy she takes pride in successfully connecting buyers and sellers. Her ability to understand people’s needs and bring them together sets her apart in the competitive real estate market. In 2024, Lisa made the brave choice to start her own business RTJR Properties Real Estate.
Beyond her professional success, Lisa is a dedicated community member. She has been known to organise the annual Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser, is an active Toastmasters member, and enjoys the simple pleasures of life, whether it’s spending time at the beach with her partner, exploring new areas enjoying good food and wine or being a proud mother to her two adult children.
JODY RIDGEWAY
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Jody is the Faculty Director at TAFE Queensland, and is an enthusiastic and committed team member with a passion for training and skills development. Having dedicated more than 28 years of service to TAFE Queensland, Jody has worked across a number of areas including; teaching, campus coordinator, educational manager and her current role as Faculty Director for Trades and Resources across TAFE Queensland East Coast region. It is this current role where Jody oversees the management of traditional and innovative training concepts for trade training, explores new and trending industry areas and applies her years of experience and vast knowledge to help shape training for the future.
Jody’s extensive business knowledge, having 35 years’ operating successful small business entities in addition to her time with TAFE Queensland, coupled with a Bachelor in Training and business acumen, have made her an invaluable asset to direct the training landscape in the VET sector where she shares her wealth of experience and insight to help the next generation of students achieve their dreams and foster an inclusive, innovative learning environment amongst TAFE Queensland educators.
Jody is proud to be a life member of Worldskills Australia , where she has been a dedicated advocate since 1988. In her volunteer role as Regional Chair she is an active contributor to regional, national and international events.
NATALIE ALEXANDER
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Natalie is the Director of Effective Dispute Resolution and is deeply committed to justice and passionate about helping individuals achieve meaningful outcomes through facilitated mediation sessions. With a focus on saving time, money, and stress, Nat champions mediation as an effective alternative to court-based litigation. She emphasises, “Negotiate and save money—don’t retaliate.”
Nat is an experienced lawyer, admitted to practice in the High Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of Queensland. She has a strong legal foundation in family law, domestic and family violence, criminal law, and civil law. Before her legal career, Nat served for a decade as a Detective Senior Constable in the New South Wales Police Force, specialising in major crime investigations.
CATHERINE REID
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Catherine Reid is a versatile and dynamic businesswoman in the Fraser Coast region. With a background in hospitality and tourism, she has successfully established herself as the owner of two thriving businesses.
As a Pool Safety Inspector, Catherine has been running her highly-rated pool safety inspection service, 5 Star Pool Inspections, for over 13 years. Her company ensures that pools in Hervey Bay, Maryborough, and the surrounding areas meet safety standards, providing peace of mind for pool owners and their families.
In 2022, Catherine ventured into the tourism sector with her new business, CaCh Tours and Events. The company specialises in creating unique and memorable land-based tours, including food and wine tours, farm-to-plate experiences, pub crawls, market tours, concert transfers, and private charter tours. Their mission is to showcase the beauty and culture of the Fraser Coast through unforgettable experiences.
Beyond her businesses, Catherine is a property investor, a dedicated mother of two teenage boys, and the administrator of a vibrant Facebook social group with over 500 members. Proudly Irish, she brings a feisty energy to everything she does, making a positive impact on her community.
SOTERA TREVASKIS
COMMITTEE MEMBER
With over 25 years’ experience across health care, retail, Indigenous economic development, agribusiness and government, Sotera brings a wealth of expertise and a versatile skillset to her role.
She holds qualifications in Policy and Public Management, Project Management and Business Administration, enabling her to take both a strategic and practical approach to regional economic development.
She is passionate about working with community, business and all levels of government to build stronger, more inclusive and vibrant regional communities.
Through volunteering and professional collaborations, Sotera is also a strong supporter of individuals and organisations that make a positive impact on their community.