Our Board
Western Local Land Services is governed by a board of local people.
Board members work closely with landholders and local communities to identify and deliver services that are relevant to local needs.
Local boards are comprised of a mix of Ministerially-appointed and elected board members who bring a wealth of skills, experience and commitment to the organisation.
The Chair and four board members are appointed by the Minister for Agriculture and Western New South Wales while the remaining four board members are elected by Local Land Services ratepayers.
Together they focus on the strategic direction of the organisation, promoting the services offered, encouraging partnerships and building strong relationships with investors while also communicating the priorities and concerns of customers to local boards.
Section 29 of the Local Land Services Act 2013 sets out the functions of local boards. They are legally binding and should be interpreted as the definitive reference regarding the role of local boards.
Chair
Magnus Aitken, Deniliquin
This is Magnus’ third term on the Western Local Land Services Board, his second term as Chair after acting in the role previously.
Magnus has extensive experience in the pastoral industry and has spent the past 20 years managing large livestock businesses in the Western Riverina. He has held previous governance roles as a Non-Executive Director of Jemalong irrigation Ltd and Director on various community organisations; and is the immediate past Chair of SALRC Central & Western NSW and Qld Sheep Committee.
Magnus is a Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and a member of the AICD.
Appointed Board members
Lawrence Clarke, Roto
Lawrence has broad networks throughout the western division via his involvement in the Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service and significant experience in Western Local Land Services including via the Western Local Land Services Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee. Lawrence is passionate about encouraging young people to get more involved in community activities. This is Lawrence’s second term on the Western Local Land Services Board.
Hugh McLean, Booligal
Hugh owns and manages a grazing operation in the Western region near Booligal. He has experience in the Rural Finance industry and has a good understanding of rural and regional businesses and the challenges they face. He has previous committee and Chair experience. This is Hugh’s second term on the Western Local Land Services Board.
Rebecca Bunyan, Booligal
Rebecca has a background in workforce and organisational development, primarily in government and non-government sectors such as health, education and emergency management. She currently works on a contract basis in related fields and is based on her husband's family merino property north of Booligal. Rebecca was appointed to the Western Local Land Services Board in 2019.
Felicity McLeod, Wentworth
Felicity lives and works on one of her family’s stations between Wentworth and Broken Hill. Passionate about the Far West, Felicity is involved with the NSW Farmers on the Goat Committee, Western Division Council and is an Executive Councillor for the Western Division. With an interest in both red meat and wool, Felicity was awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship, supported by Australian Wool Innovation, which allowed her to travel globally in 2017. Felicity was appointed to the Western Local Land Services Board in 2019.
Elected Board members
Names of board members elected in the recent elections will be published soon.