WA Regional Development Minister, Don Punch, has today announced the appointment of Robyn Sermon as Chair of the Regional Development Council.
Ms Sermon (pictured) has served as the Chair of the state’s Wheatbelt Development Commission since November 2023 and brings many years of senior leadership experience from the State Government, private and non-for-profit sectors in Western Australia, said Minister Punch.
She has been the chief executive officer of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA since early 2022 and has served long periods on boards including the Curtin WA Country Health Service Regional Health Alliance and the Royal Flying Doctor Service – as well as owning a farming enterprise in the Wheatbelt.
“Congratulations to Robyn Sermon for her appointment as Chair of the Regional Development Council,” said Mr Punch.
“She has executive leadership and board experience across a range of industries and strong connections with the primary production community, which will put her in good stead for this new position.
“I thank Tom Stephens for his leadership as acting Chair. He is a passionate advocate of regional Western Australia and long-term champion of Aboriginal economic empowerment. I look forward to continuing to work with him in his various roles within the Regional Development portfolio.”
Ms Sermon’s appointment follows Tom Stephen’s 15-month tenure as acting Chair of the Regional Development Council, an independent statutory advisory body providing advice to the Minister for Regional Development on all regional development issues.
The Council consists of the Director General of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and chairpersons from each of the State’s nine Regional Development Commissions.
