Peter Ross, Chair

BA

Peter Ross is the Executive Manager of Creative Communities & Experiences for Tamworth Regional Council, where he oversees the Capitol Theatre Tamworth and its annual season of events. A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre, Peter has extensive experience as a Director, Producer, Performer, and Teacher. He previously taught singing at Brent Street Studios in Sydney, co-managed a singing school, and directed musical theatre productions nationally. Peter also serves on the Board for Arts On Tour and plays a key role in the Tamworth Country Music Festival through his work with the Council.

Jo Byrnes

BA, MBA, GAICD

Jo Byrnes is a Director of Cloudwize Technologies Pty Ltd, an IT services company. She has 17 years of experience in financial markets across Sydney and Melbourne, with roles in economic analysis, investment analysis, corporate finance, and investor relations. Jo also served as General Manager, Corporate Services & Corporation Secretary for Treasury Corporation of Victoria. Returning to Tamworth in 2006, she was Executive Director of the Tamworth Regional Development Corporation Ltd and later Chief Strategy Officer & Group HR for Tamex Transport. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Jo is also a qualified practitioner of Kaplan & Norton’s Balanced Scorecard methodology.

Libby Campbell

BA, LLB, LLM (Applied Law)

Libby Campbell is currently employed at the University of New England. With a background in personal injury and employment law, she worked as an Associate at Everingham Solomons Solicitors. Libby recently completed a Master of Laws (Applied Law) focusing on Business Law and Transactions. She is the Secretary of the Tamworth Business Chamber of Commerce board. Libby’s connection to the Conservatorium began during her school years when she studied flute under Mrs Volk.

Dr Stephen Cunneen

JP, BA (Hons), PhD (UNE)

Dr Stephen Cunneen is a Visiting Fellow at the University of New England and works from the Tamworth Student Centre. He previously had a 37-year career with ANZ Banking Group, specialising in International and Rural Banking. Retiring in 1998 as Manager of Tamworth, Stephen pursued academia and earned his Doctorate of Philosophy from UNE in 2012. He has been a member of the Conservatorium Board since 2013.

Jocelyn Goodfellow

BFinAdmin, CA

Jocelyn Goodfellow is a Chartered Accountant and Principal at Hancocks Chartered Accountants. She began her career in 1996 and returned to Tamworth in 1999. Jocelyn completed her Bachelor of Financial Administration at the University of New England in 2003 and became a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand in 2005. She has been a Principal at Hancocks since 2011, offering financial expertise and leadership.

Heidi Manning

MMkt, GradCertMktg, BA (Graphic Design), SIS40221

Heidi Manning is the Business and Thought Leader of 2 Creative Media, which she has led for over 20 years. Specializing in strategic marketing and creative solutions, Heidi helps businesses define their brand, engage their market, and connect with customers. She is renowned for orchestrating successful events such as The Business Summit, Building and Renovating Expo, and Loving Your Later Life Expo, showcasing her expertise in marketing and event management.

Bernard Munro

BASc (Rural Management, Marketing)

Bernard Munro is the Director of Specialised Agribusiness Solutions at Commonwealth Bank. Having spent most of his professional and personal life in regional NSW and Queensland, Bernard has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in rural communities. His expertise in rural management and marketing drives his work supporting agribusiness clients.

Jesse Martin

LLB (UNE), GDLP (College of Law)

Jesse Martin is a Solicitor specializing in business, property, and succession planning law. His expertise includes rural, commercial, and residential property transactions, leases and agistment arrangements, business transactions, and estate planning. Jesse completed his Bachelor of Laws at the University of New England and his Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the College of Law in 2020. With a background in cattle grazing on his family’s rural properties in New England, Jesse has a keen interest in rural property and agribusiness succession planning.