Our Board and Staff
Foundation Murrindindi is governed by highly skilled and passionate people who care about this Shire.
Foundation Murrindindi is led by a Board of Directors. The Directors are volunteers who generously donate their time and expertise. The Directors are committed to building a legacy for a vibrant, healthy and resilient future across the communities of Murrindindi. They have a wide range of skills and experience and an active interest in the communities of Murrindindi Shire.
Current board members
Naomi McNamara
Chair
Naomi brings more than 25 years’ experience across local and state government and community led organisations, working to strengthen communities and improve outcomes for vulnerable people. Her background spans homelessness, family violence, aged and disability services, mental health and community development, with a strong focus on collaboration and locally driven solutions. She is currently Director Community, Strategy and Projects at Yea and District Memorial Hospital.
Growing up in Marysville and returning to Murrindindi Shire with her family 14 years ago, Naomi now lives in Taggerty and values the connection, resilience and generosity that define the community. Naomi joined the Board of Foundation Murrindindi because she believes deeply in the power of community led change. She is proud to support an organisation that brings people together, backs local initiatives and creates opportunities for residents to invest in their community. For Naomi, the Foundation plays a vital role in building a lasting legacy that strengthens Murrindindi for generations to come.
Melinda Burgess
Treasurer
After a career across the Aged Care and Disability sectors, Melinda founded a Registered Training Organisation providing qualifications across Health and Community Services. After 16 years Melinda sold the business and moved to the Murrindindi region to a beef cattle farm and commenced a role as CEO at Menzies Support Services. It was during this time she joined the Board.
Melinda wanted to be involved in an organisation that connected the local communities and created long lasting impacts in our region.
Melinda is the Treasurer, and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee.
Brian Swersky
Secretary
Brian brings extensive experience as both a lawyer and businessman, having built and led major retail organisations throughout his career. Alongside this professional background, he has devoted many years to community sport, serving as President of Maccabi Victoria and later on the national board of Maccabi Australia.
For Brian, community connection has always mattered. He values the traditions, rituals and relationships that help people feel part of something bigger, and sees that same spirit reflected in the Foundation’s work. Joining the Board was a natural step, giving him the opportunity to contribute to an organisation focused on building community, fostering understanding and strengthening the social fabric of Murrindindi.
Brian supports the Foundation’s strategic direction, helps build meaningful partnerships and enjoys mentoring others to ensure the organisation continues to thrive. He feels privileged to play a role in shaping its long term impact and helping create a more connected, resilient community for generations to come.
Michael Heyes
Director
Michael brings more than 15 years’ experience as a senior accountant, working across banking, education, horticulture and taxation. He is a Certified Practising Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) from RMIT University and a Graduate Diploma of Education from Swinburne University. He now works with a local taxation firm, contributing strong financial, analytical and governance skills to the Foundation.
Growing up in Murrindindi Shire, Michael returned after a decade away, drawn back by the sense of connection the region provides. Over the years, he watched the Foundation’s long standing support for the community and saw firsthand the positive impact of its work.
Joining the Board gives Michael the opportunity to give back to the place that shaped him. He is committed to using his professional expertise to help ensure the Foundation continues delivering vital services and strengthening the community for future generations.
Michael is a member of the Finance & Audit Committee and the General Committee, supporting sound governance and long term sustainability.
Kim Pammer
Director
Kim brings a diverse background in education, community services, small business and local engagement to Foundation Murrindindi. After moving to Murrindindi Shire in 1995 to work with The Outdoor Education Group, she raised her family in Alexandra while developing her own swim school, working in community services with local council, and later establishing her landscape design business. Across all her roles, Kim has been driven by a commitment to community connection — whether through sport, coaching or creating garden spaces that bring people together.
Raised in a rural town and shaped by a community focused family, Kim has carried those values throughout her life. Living in Alexandra for the past 30 years has given her a deep sense of belonging, and she feels grateful for the way the community has supported her family.
Kim joined the Board of Foundation Murrindindi to give back to the place that has nurtured her. She believes strongly in the Foundation’s role in strengthening local connections and supporting initiatives that make the region more resilient and vibrant. Contributing to this mission is, for her, the most meaningful way to support the community she loves.
David Hall
Director
David is now retired after a career in youth work, social work and community development culminating as Senior Manager for Bushfire Recovery at Berry Street after the 2009 fires. David has lived and worked in the Shire of Murrindindi on and off over a period of 50 years.
David’s history and experience gives him an understanding of the needs of our community which Foundation Murrindindi can impact.
Tony Thompson
Director
Tony brings extensive experience in disaster recovery, community leadership and regional development to Foundation Murrindindi. Tony was the Chair of the Marysville and Triangle Community Recovery Committee following the 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires, and also served on the Community Advisory Committee of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund. These roles gave him deep, firsthand insight into community recovery, resilience building and the importance of strong, accessible support networks.
Over the past 17 years, Tony has continued to work in disaster recovery, including three years with his business Recoverywise, contracted to Emergency Recovery Victoria on the Black Summer Fires, followed by two years in flood recovery. He is highly experienced in governance, financial oversight and managing community funds, and has a strong track record of balancing diverse community interests. In the past Tony has been the Chair of the Marysville & Triangle Community Foundation, a Board Member of Regional Development Australia, Chairperson of Lake Mountain, and a Board Member of Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resorts.
Tony joined Foundation Murrindindi to continue strengthening local communities.
Staff
The Board of Directors is supported by two part-time roles. The Executive Officer, Robyn Hill, is the first point of contact for the Foundation and provides support to the Board, the Board’s sub-committees and community stakeholders to achieve the Foundation’s objectives. Robyn is supported by Project and Fundraising Officer Sasha Barrow.
Robin Hill
Executive Officer
Robyn brings extensive experience in community development, communications and disaster recovery to Foundation Murrindindi. She holds qualifications in psychology, counselling, risk communication and beef management, along with the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.
Robyn has been involved in major recovery efforts after bushfires that devasted the communities of Murrindindi Shire. Robyn has volunteered in many community roles since moving to the area in 2004.
Robyn is deeply committed to a community led future across Murrindindi Shire.
Sasha Barrow
Projects and Fundraising Officer
Sasha joined the team in 2018 and brings with her a depth of experiences working in natural resource management, international development and community development at local government, state government and Not for Profit grass roots level.
Sasha grew up in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne before travelling and working in country towns in NSW and Victoria. She has also lived overseas in Ethiopia and Indonesia.
She has lived in Murrindindi Shire for over 20 years and has a passion for community and its members.