Regional Office Dubbo – Executive Staff

Chief Executive Officer - Jeff Caldbeck

Jeff Caldbeck is the CEO of the Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW - Central West. Jeff has a  broad-ranging background that includes service in the Royal Australian Navy, 18 years as a paramedic and Regional Manager with the NSW State Government, a period as a Small Business owner/operator, he Project Manager for a health-related project in Malaysia for 3 years. Jeff also worked out of San Diego for a West Coast US company servicing Asia Pacific and was the International Sales Manager for a Sydney- based group of companies, with markets in Europe, India and SE Asia. Jeff was the General Manager of the Dubbo City Development Corporation for almost 6 years.  He is currently a board member of Dubbo RSL, Sydney University Clinical School, Country Energy CAB, Dubbo RSL Sub-Branch, and previous board member/chairman of Orana Education & Training Cooperative.

Finance & Administration Manager - Sharon Mills

Sharon joined the organisation in November 2006 with over 17 years experience as a finance officer/accounts manager.  Her previous experience was gained in the private sector/retail industry, childcare industry and within economic development.  Sharon’s position requires that appropriate financial systems are developed and maintained to ensure the needs of the service are met.  She also provides a support role to the Board of Management, CEO and staff.

 Kristie Wathen – ASO and Executive Assistant to CEO and Board

Kristie started with Rural Financial Counselling Service as an administration assistant in early February of 2008. Before joining the RFCS team at the Regional Office she spent almost two years as a Business Consultant with NRMA. She also holds a Certificate III in Business Administration. Kristie enjoys working with the staff at Regional Office and is looking forward to being a part of this great team into the future.

David Waters - Rural Financial Counsellor/ EAP Coordinator

David joined the counselling service in March 2007 as a Relief Counsellor after previously working for an accounting firm for several years. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Sydney, and since joining the service he has completed a Diploma in Community Services (Financial Counselling). David also has experience in agriculture as an owner/operator of a sheep and cattle property west of Dubbo. His role as Relief Counsellor has allowed him to work with all staff members throughout the organisation and experience a wide variety of different farming practices throughout the service area.

Regional Offices (Staff - RFC and ASO)

Buronga

Brian Dodson - Rural Financial Counsellor

Brian commenced working with RFC-CW Buronga in July, 2008 after working for the Wentworth/Balranald Rural Financial Counselling Service for more than 10 years. Brian completed a Certificate of Business Studies (Banking) 1982 at RMIT and spent almost twenty year in the banking industry.  He has been a Justice of the Peace in Victoria and NSW since the early 90’s and attained a number of Counselling and Mediator qualifications whilst within this position.   He also holds the Diploma of Rural Financial Counselling and Diploma of Social Work.

Wendy Davison - Rural Financial Counsellor

Wendy commenced working as the Administration Support Officer (ASO) in July, 2008. Prior to this appointment she worked at Centrelink in Mildura as part of their Drought Team. In August 2009 Wendy took on the RFC position working closely with Brian Dodson out of the Buronga office.  She enjoys  servicing the clients in far western NSW, particularly within the Wentworth and Balranald areas. 

Leonie Hartwig - Administration Support Officer

Leonie joined the RFCS team in February 2010 and is looking forward to working with the rural clients of the service.  Leonie enjoys assisting the Rural Financial Counsellors and is a welcome member of the Buronga team.

Coonamble

Jen Hoath - Rural Financial Counsellor

Jen has been with RFCS – CW since its commencement in November 2006 having previously worked for the Castlereagh Advisory Centre (CAC) from June 2006. Since joining RFCS-CW she has completed a Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling). She enjoys working with the local rural community through this challenging economic and climatic time.

Natalie Manuel - Administration Support Officer

Natalie joined RFCS - CW in November 2007 having previously completed a Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of New England. Natalie hopes to broaden her knowledge and skills in the Agricultural industry through additional employment and her work as an  Administration Support Officer with RFCS. She finds it rewarding having the opportunity to provide assistance to the local rural community.

Dubbo

John Jones - Rural Financial Counsellor

John joined the Rural Financial Counselling Service in July, 2006 after spending three years with the Dubbo City Development Corporation as Small Business Advisory Manager.  Since joining the RFCS, John has completed the Diploma of Community Services - Rural Financial Counselling and will be re-enrolling with Charles Sturt University in 2009 in Bachelor of Business (Agribusiness) for continued personal development within the finance and agricultural sectors.

Terry Skinner - Rural Financial Counsellor

Terry commenced employment with the Rural Financial Counselling Service - NSW Central West in May 2007. Before joining the service he worked in the Agricultural Industry both as an employee and owner/operator. Terry began his employment as the Rural Financial Counsellor at Nyngan for a period of four months before transferring to the Dubbo office in September 2007.  Since joining the service Terry has completed the Diploma of Rural Financial Counselling.

Fiona Pobje - Administration Support Officer

Fiona joined Macquarie Rural Advisory Service in July 1998. In the past 10 years Fiona has provided administration support in the Dubbo office. Fiona has completed Certificate IV in Business Frontline Management and looks forward to continuing her role in the service and helping the rural community.

Bianca Adams – ASO and Regional Office Receptionist

Bianca joined the Rural Financial Counselling Service in May 2009.  Bianca has recently completed her Certificate III in Business. She looks forward to furthering her knowledge and enjoys working in this great environment with the staff in Dubbo Office.

Forbes

Rob Muffet - Rural Financial Counsellor

Robert joined the Forbes office in July 2000 and has previous experience in both agriculture management and operations of mixed farms and as a mortgage analyst. Roberts experience and studies, which include an Associate Diploma of Rural Business Management, Diploma of Agribusiness (With Distinction), Accounting 1, Microeconomics, Business Law, Business Statistics, Diploma in Community Services (Financial Counselling) along with negotiation and communications training, allowing him to fulfil his desire to provide a dedicated and professional service to his clients.

Kerry Hodges - Administration Support Officer

Kerry joined the Forbes Office in May 2000.  During this time she has seen many changes to the service.  Kerry continues to be an enthusiastic member of the Forbes team and maintains a keen interest in the changing shape of farming.

Tes Hodges - Administration Support Officer

Tes joined the Forbes team in March 2003 and has successfully completed a Certificate IV  in Business Administration during this time.  Tes enjoys working with the Counsellor in assisting clients and seeing the flow on benefits of this work to the local community.

Cath Mabbott - Rural Financial Counsellor

Cath completed a Bachelor of Business in Agricultural Commerce in 1994. She was then employed in the media industry for approximately 14 years. The latter 7 years of her media career were as the General   Manager of a radio station in Dubbo. In January 2007, she commenced employment with RFCS-CW as a counsellor. Since that time she has gained many skills and completed the Diploma in Financial Counselling – Social Welfare. Cath’s strong rural background and special interest in holistic farming systems has given her the high level of understanding required to be an effective RFC.

Pat Foran - Administration Support Officer

Pat Foran has lived and worked within the farming community of Gilgandra all of her life.  She has been a member of the RFC team for over ten years and enjoys working and assisting rural clients.  Pat has a broad knowledge of the local area and community which has been of high value to the RFC on a number of occasions.

Mudgee

Liz Brown - Rural Financial Counsellor

Liz has worked as a Rural Financial Counsellor since 1998 – with nine of those years based in Nyngan and more recently in Mudgee.  She has qualifications in Rural Business Administration from the University of Sydney, a Diploma in Community Services (Financial Counselling) as well as having undertaken numerous short courses and training opportunities relevant to her role in working with primary producers.

Leonie Mackie – Senior Administration Support Officer

Leonie began working for the Rural Financial Counselling Service in February 2002, having previously worked as a personal assistant, debtors/creditors and pay clerk in the public health system and administration assistant for the RLPB.  Leonie is currently employed as senior Administrative Support Officer (ASO) providing support and assistance to other administration staff within our service.

Nyngan

Victoria Boag - Rural Financial Counsellor

Victoria joined the RFCS-CW in April 2007 as a part time Administration Support Officer (ASO) and from September 2007 she commenced as the RFC in the Nyngan Office.  Prior to joining the RFCS-CW she had approximately 17 years experience in Local Government, and is also a partner in her family’s farming business in the Nyngan district. She has qualifications in Rural Business Administration from UNE-OAC, and has successfully completed the Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling) in April 2009.

Nikki Roach - Administration Support Officer

Nikki joined the RFCS-CW in October 2007 as a part time ASO.  She is also employed part time with the Bogan Shire Council where she has had 12 years experience in Rates, Payroll, Debtors and Creditors.  Nikki hopes to continue to extend her skills with ongoing additional study.

Orange

Andrew Foy-Brown - Rural Financial Counsellor

Andrew commenced as a Rural Financial Counsellor in January 2003. Prior to this Andrew was employed with Westpac Bank as a Lending Manager in Country NSW. He has successfully completed the Diploma of Financial Counselling, has recently completed the Diploma of Social Work, Diploma of Rural Business Management and Diploma of Agriculture. Andrew is enjoying the new Case Management approach to Rural Financial Counselling.

Rosemary Foy-Brown - Administration Support Officer

Rosemary joined the RFCS in March 2009.  Rosemary’s background is varied, working in secretarial and PA roles in large accounting and legal firms in Sydney with a special interest in Desktop Publishing and designing office documents.  Rosemary has recently completed Certificate II in Information Technology and plans to begin the Certificate IV Web Page Design in January 2010

Tottenham

Fran Rowe (B. Economics., Dip. Ed) - Rural Financial Counsellor

Fran Rowe has worked as a Rural Financial Counsellor since the establishment of the Rural Financial Counselling program in 1986.  Fran’s main areas of interest include rural and farm adjustment issues.   Fran is a valued member within the RFCS team as she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the service.  She is often called upon to mentor our new staff members and provide assistance to the Regional Office team.

Kath Harley - Administration Support Officer

Katherine has been working in the Tottenham office of the Rural Financial Counselling Service since March 1999, and enjoys her role as an Administration Support Officer. Kath completed a Bachelor of Business through the University of Sydney in 2009.

Walgett

Catherine Bott - Rural Financial Counsellor

Catherine’s, childhood was spent on properties in the Western District of Victoria. She has had more than 20 years in the financial and public relations area.  Catherine has held senior management positions with ANZ and the ASX Corporate Affairs in Australia and prior to that worked with leading global management consultancy, McKinsey & Co. She consulted to major banks, credit card companies and brokerage firms. In this role she is experienced in developing and implementing change for companies.  Prior to joining Rural Financial Counselling Service Central West, in 2008 Catherine had her own tourism businesses for 14 years in rural South Australia and New South Wales.

Janet Smith - Administration Support Officer

Janet recently joined the team as the Walgett Administration Officer in December 2009.  She is a local lady who brings with her a wealth of experience and strong rural networking ties in the Walgett community.