About us Team Management Committee Shani Mitchell President (Present); Committee Member (2021 – 2023) Shani has been in the legal industry for over 13 years and is a partner at Geldard Sherrington Lawyers. While she enjoys all aspects of law, Shani has a special interest in family law and domestic violence matters. Shani is the Domestic Violence Duty Lawyer for victim/survivors of domestic violence in Hervey Bay. She also works closely with many of the domestic violence organisations to ensure that people that have been affected by domestic violence, can have access to legal advice in a cost effective and timely manner. Outside of her role as Board Member of HBNC, Shani volunteers her time with HBNC for various other projects and committees and also provides free legal advice for clients of the Women’s Legal Service Queensland. Shani is also a Committee Member of the Fraser Coast District Law Association and Yoorana Women’s Domestic Violence and Resource Service. Kirsti Kee Vice President (Present); Committee Member (Present); Vice President & Secretary (2018-2022); President (2014-2017); Vice President (2010– 2014); Kirsti moved to Hervey Bay in 2005 and retired from the role of Executive Director, Education Queensland in Wide Bay Burnett in 2009. Her career began as a classroom teacher and took her to Malaysia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. Kirsti has also been a Business Manager and the Director of a TAFE Institute and owner/manager of a small catering business and delicatessen. Kirsti’s community work ranges from playgroups and school P&Cs to service clubs, and activity groups. Kirsti is passionate about contributing to the vibrancy of the community in which she lives. She sees community development as a vital aspect of this. Kirsti has four grandchildren and enjoys travelling overseas to visit two of them. During these trips, she usually manages to indulge her interest in long-distance walking. Fortunately, three of her grandchildren live in Brisbane and enjoy visiting Hervey Bay. Ross Zelow Secretary (2020 - Present) Ross and his family moved to Hervey Bay in 1999 when he became Principal of Urangan State High School and remained in that role until 2015. He then took on the role as an Assistant Regional Director where he had responsibility for schools in the Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg areas of the Wide Bay region until his retirement in 2019. Ross is very passionate about supporting youth, families, and communities through his experiences as a teacher, head of department, deputy principal, principal, leadership coach, and assistant regional director in urban, rural and remote settings and is committed to ensuring that everyone can access the right support, however remote or isolated they may be. Katie Elder Treasurer (Present); Committee Member (2024-2025) Katie Elder is the Head of the Family Law Department at Bell Dixon Butler Lawyers where she practices in the areas of family law, domestic violence, child protection. She is also an Independent Children’s Lawyer and undertakes Will and Estate matters. Since relocating to Hervey Bay in 2015, Katie has pursued her interest in community and social events through volunteering at the Wide Bay Burnett Community Legal Service, at parkrun Hervey Bay where she is the co-Event Director, for the Fraser Coast District Law Association where she has held the role of Secretary in 2015-2016 and Treasurer since 2017 and for Share the Dignity. When not working and volunteering, you will find Katie reading or training for her next running event. Jessica Barr Committee Member Jess Barr has over 20 years' experience in media and communications, primarily in the health and not for profit sector in Australia and the UK. She holds a Bachelor of Media from Macquarie University. She has a passion for social justice and equity, with a particular interest in the empowerment of women and girls. Jess is currently Director Communications and Corporate Affairs for Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service. Stephen Bell Committee Member (2017 – Present) Stephen has lived in Hervey Bay with his wife and two children for over 10 years. He enjoys the outdoors and is interested in working with and helping the wider community across a range of social issues. Stephen is a registered Psychologist who has worked in specialist and acute public mental health services. Stephen has also worked across the wide bay region in senior and executive leadership positions with Queensland Health providing organisational leadership, governance, strategy and operational management. Bernard Whebell Committee Member (Present); President (2018– 2025); Vice-President (2017-2018); Committee Member (2013-2017) Bernard is a partner with Ulton Chartered Accountants and has lived in Hervey Bay since 2006. Having worked for a number of years in State Government, Bernard moved to Bundaberg and took up a position as an accountant with Hancock Sawyer Corpe who are now known as Ulton. In 2006 he moved to Hervey Bay and became a partner with the firm. Since 2006 Bernard has become active in Rotary and has also been president of the Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce for three years. He is married with 2 kids who have both gone to school in Hervey Bay. Ivan Mapp Committee Member (Present); Vice President (2022-2025); Committee Member (2019 – 2022) Ivan retired to Hervey Bay in 2014 and has spent holidays in the Bay for over 25 years. He is a mechanical engineer that spent over 36 years in the electricity industry mainly in power stations. Ivan and his family spent 21 years in Biloela before moving to Chinchilla to take up the managers role at Kogan Creek Power Station in 2009. He has been an active member of Rotary since 2000 and was President of Hervey Bay Sunrise Rotary club in 2017/18. Ivan is involved with Riding for Disabled where his wife Robyn is a coach. He enjoys anything outdoor including golf, fishing and clay target shooting. He has two married daughters and has recently become a granddad. Miesha Baumann Committee Member (2019 – Present) Being of Butchulla descent, Miesha was born and bred in Hervey Bay, attended local Pialba State School and Hervey Bay High School. In 1984, Miesha worked in the Administration Office at the Maryborough Tafe College before transferring to the Hervey Bay Senior College in 1990. In 1996, Miesha left the Senior College to become a Teacher Aide at Pialba State School where she attended as a student. After 18 years working at Pialba State School, it was time to leave and work in the Civil Construction Contractors business that she and her husband started in 2000 which is still operating today. Miesha is married with four children who all attended both local public and private schools, and is blessed with three grandchildren. Allan Villappaly Committee Member Allan Villappaly is a physiotherapist, business leader, and community advocate passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of people across all ages and abilities. As Director and Senior Physiotherapist at ProMelius in Hervey Bay, Allan leads a multidisciplinary allied health team dedicated to person-centred, evidence-based care. Holding Master’s degrees in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy and advanced qualifications in Paediatric Physiotherapy from Monash University, Allan has over a decade of experience in rehabilitation, disability support, and sports performance. He has worked internationally as Head Physiotherapist for the Indian National Basketball Team and supported national boxing and archery athletes at elite levels. Allan proudly serves on several boards and committees, including the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, Fraser Coast Hospice, the Queensland Disability Committee of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, and the External Advisory Committee at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is also a published researcher, contributing to international journals in sports rehabilitation and orthopaedic physiotherapy, reflecting his commitment to advancing clinical knowledge and best practice. Rik James Committee Member Rik has a background in property development and project management, supported by a Bachelor of Business and Property Development from Griffith University. His work has given him an appreciation for how thoughtful planning and practical support can help strengthen local communities. Rik moved to Hervey Bay in 2006 to join his fiancé on their family farm. The connection to the land and the community has remained an important part of his life and continues to shape his interest in supporting local initiatives. Over the years Rik has enjoyed watching the region grow and is particularly interested in small businesses and grass roots projects that make a direct and positive difference for local people.Rik is pleased to support the work of the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre and contribute to its ongoing efforts to build a welcoming, inclusive and connected community.