Meet the Board

Her career encompasses 30 years of professional experience in roles within government, not-for profit organisations, the mining industry and universities. These roles have involved designing strategies, plans and strategic policy, delivering cultural and organisational change, developing and implementing state legislation, running natural resource management organisations, developing programs and projects, and holding research and teaching roles.

Cath has worked in the Peel-Harvey, and the Avon catchment in the wheatbelt in the not-for-profit sector, liaising between the community, local, state and federal governments. Cath went to university in Townsville, and spent 12 years as a scientist in the fields of botany and marine biology, doing her PhD research in Mount Isa.

She grew up in WA and had family farming ties to Dowerin. Cath is a volunteer with the National Share the Dignity charity, making a real on-the-ground difference to homeless women, teenage girls and victims of domestic violence. Cath joined the RRR Board in 2018 in the role of Secretary, and has focused on both the planning for a strong, connected and influential network of rural, regional and remote women and secondly, the pathway to how we’re going to get there and sustain the network into the future.

Fleur experienced the challenges of drought, family dynamics and isolation first hand on her family farm, along with the joys of farm-life, freedom and the bush.

After studying science at University and roles with the Department of Agriculture in WA she returned to the family farm. She ran a successful, national award winning, nature-based farm tourism business for six years before becoming a Rural Financial Counsellor in 2008 (following two back to back extremely dry seasons in WA) and worked with farmers and pastoralists in financial stress. Fleur experienced the resilience of rural people and the heartbreak of loss in this job and created her own life coaching business in 2010 specialising in purpose as a pathway to facilitate change.

Fleur has a Bachelor of Applied Science from JCU in North Queensland, is a qualified NLP Practitioner, and has a Diploma of Coaching and a Diploma of Community Services (Financial Counselling).

Fleur specialises with regional, rural and remote people (in particular women on farms and stations and living in rural communities) and finding ways to combat isolation, anxiety and overwhelm by enabling them to turn their energy into a powerful force for good in the world. She believes that women in rural communities who are connected, know how to nurture and care for themselves, and have solid foundations that allow them to move beyond survival mode, are the first to notice when anyone in their community is not okay. And when they have purpose and connection to others, can and will do great things – including having solid relationships and teamwork with their men, and everyone in their communities.

Fleur runs her own business (Fleur Porter- Purpose Coach), is married to her favourite Agronomist and is mother and stepmother to six children.

Marilyn is an advocate for creating opportunities for women in the regions and remote areas as well as in rural locations.

Marilyn has extensive experience and a background in the fields of economic development, project management, grant writing, event management, tourism and hospitality and has conducted events for the Member for Forrest and the City of Swan in Parliament House in Canberra.

Marilyn will draw on her experience and network developed during her engagements with Regional Development Australia MWG, Austrade in Melbourne, the Australian Institute of Export, the Australian Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the International Business Council, and governments on all levels.

Having worked in economic development in both Victoria and Western Australia, Marilyn also delivered the SBDC Business Local service in the Gascoyne and Warren Blackwood regions for the past 3 years.

Marilyn was a Founding Board Member of both Undalup and RETA-Regional and has served on boards and committees with the Gascoyne Heritage Group, Gascoyne Aboriginal and Heritage Cultural Centre, Gascoyne Arts Council and currently consults governance practices to several not-for-profits.

Marilyn is passionate about recognising small business in the regions and started the Gascoyne Regional Business Awards, an event she has run for the last three years. She has owned and operated seven restaurants and catering facilities located in the metropolitan and regional Western Australia and in Melbourne. Marilyn also ran a family landscaping and construction business for ten years and is experienced at running a business from home.