Regional Office Dubbo - Executive Staff

Chief Executive Officer - Jeff Caldbeck

Jeff Caldbeck is the CEO of the Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW - Central West, commencing in December 2006, and responsible for the merger of eight (8) previous RFC services into the one (1) new organisation. He has a  broad-ranging management and adminstration background that includes service in the Royal Australian Navy, 18 years as a NSW ambulance paramedic and a Regional Manager with the NSW State Government. Following this he spent a period as a Small Business owner/operator in Dubbo with a wholesale product business and also as a health system consultant within Australian and off-shore. He undertook a Project Manager role for a health-related project in Malaysia for 3 years. Jeff then worked out of San Diego for a West Coast US software company servicing the Asia Pacific region and following this was employed back in Australia as the International Sales and Marketing Manager for a Sydney based group of companies, with markets in Europe, India and SE Asia. From 2000 to 2006, Jeff was the General Manager of the Dubbo City Development Corporation, providing economic development and business counselling to a broad range of individuals and companies. The GM's role also managed an Austrade office and a Business Enterprise Centre (BEC), servicing central west NSW. Jeff is currently a board member of:

• Dubbo RSL Memorial Club
• Sydney University Clinical School (CAB)
• Country Energy (CAB)
• Vice-president of Dubbo RSL Sub - Branch
• 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.

 Position Vacant - Executive Assistant to CEO and Board

David Waters - Projects Manager

David joined the counselling service in March 2007 as a Relief Counsellor after previously working for an accounting firm for serveral 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, being a part of family farming enterprise west of Dubbo. In July 2009 Dave became the Enterprise Action Plan Coordinator for the service, assisting other RFC to complete EAP's for their clients through mentoring and providing support and information where needed.

Regional Offices (Staff - RFC and ASO)

Buronga

Wendy Davison - Rural Financial Counsellor

Wendy commenced working as an RFC with RFCS-CW Buronga in August, 2009 after being in the role of ASO for the previous 13 months. This was an initial "acting" position for 6 months until she became permanent in the role in Feb 2010. Over the past 7 months Wendy has been completing her Diploma of Community Service, Financial Counselling. Previous to commencing with RFCS-CW, she worked with Centrelink Mildura in the Drought Team, processing applications for various Exception Circumstance benefits available to farmers and small business'.

Wendy lives in the Coomealla District, and is married with two boys aged 10 and 13.

Graeme Thornton - Rural Financial Counsellor

Graeme was appointed to the position of Rural Financial Counsellor (Wine) in November 2010 for his specialist grape industry knowledge and established industry networks. Graeme was previously an RFC with the Murray Maliee service from 2001. Graeme has had many years experience and involventmen in industry leadership, government advisory roles, corporate directorships and 15 years as a grape and citrus grower, giving empathy and a practical understanding of the many business issues facing farming families. Graeme has completed the Dipolma of Community Services (Financial Counselling), Dipolma of Community Services (Case Management) and Dipolma of Welfare Work. He also has a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment to deliver vocational training.

Leonie Hartwig - Administration Support Officer

Leonie joined the RFCS team in February 2010 and enjoys working with the rural clients of the service. She holds a Cert III in Financial Services & Cert III in Business Admin. Leonie enjoys assisting the Rural Financial Counsellors and is a welcome member of the Buronga team.

Coonamble

Andrew Shearer

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. 

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.

Gilgandra (by appointment)

Rob McGorman  - Rural Financial Counsellor 

Robert commenced as a relief Rural Financial Counsellor in our region on a full time basis in January 2010. Prior to this he served in the same role in a part time capacity since the service's inception in December 2006. Robert comes to the service with a strong background in agriculture which includes a degree in agricultural economics, farm ownership and operation, management experience in rural merchandise plus he has served as a financial director on the board of an unlisted public company. More recently he has served as a pastor with the Baptist Church in Mudgee.  Robert's strong analytical and people skills coupled with his wide range of experience enables him to work effectively with all staff members and clients throughout the service area.

Mudgee

Liz Brown - Rural Financial Counsellor

Liz has worked as a Rural Financial Counsellor since 1998.  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.

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.

Orange

Andrew Foy-Brown - Rural Financial Counsellor

Andrew commenced working as a Rural Financial Counsellor in January 2003. He has completed the Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling),  and also holds qualifications in Community Welfare,  Rural Business Management, Agriculture and Financial Planning.

Patrick Crowe - Rural Financial Counsellor

Paddy was appointed as a Rural Financial Counsellor in Novemeber 2010, based in Parkes. He comes with a strong agricultural banking background, having thirty five years experience, the last fourteen cased in Parkes, servicing both Agribusiness and Commerical lending clients, within Central West NSW.

During the past two years Paddy was employed at Industry and Investment, with NSW Rural Assistance Authority. This role involved processing of Exceptional Circumstace Interest Rate Subsidy applications throughout drought affected NSW.

Paddy is involved with many community projects in Parkes, as well as having a strong sporting interest in cricket, rugby league and golf.

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.

Walgett

Fiona Mead - Rural Financial Counsellor

Fiona joined the Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW - CW, Walgett Office in December 2010 and has a Business Degree from USQ Toowoomba. She has previously worked in various agricultural based companies, mainly in finance departments with her last role as the Administration Manager at the Oakey Abattoir, Oakey QLD.  She also teaches on a part time basis at TAFE, Business and IT subjects.  Fiona whose husband is a farmer has been involved with farming for over 28 years, and has lived in Mungindi, Rowena, Wee Waa, Bourke and Narrabri. Prior to this they were farming on their own property in Zimbabwe.