Our Board

All Board Directors are local Ballarat community members and value the opportunity to speak to the wider community about how they can support local community groups.

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Beau Haywood

Beau Haywood

Bendigo Bank Branch Manager

Beau grew up in Ballarat and has spent the past 16 years working with Bendigo Bank, where he is currently Branch Manager, Ballarat Central. Beau is dedicated to leading the Ballarat Bendigo Bank team to support clients in achieving their financial goals and is passionate about wellbeing and mental health.

Beau works with both the Bendigo Bank branch staff and Ballarat Connected Communities to identify potential grant recipients and execute grants back into the community.

Brett Macdonald

Brett Macdonald

Radio Host for Ballarat Today

As radio host for Ballarat Today, we all know and love the dulcet tones of Brett Mac. But what we also love is Brett's strong connections with the Ballarat community having held roles with the Royal South Street Society, Ballarat RSL, Committee for Ballarat and Ballarat Foundation.

Throughout his career, Brett has worked with Rural Press (now Australian Community Media), The Courier (Ballarat) and Examiner (Launceston) and Radio Ballarat.

He is a volunteer MC for organisations such as the Ballarat RSL, Committee for Ballarat and Ballarat Foundation. Brett is married to Mandy with 3 daughters and holds a Diploma of Management.

Cameron Montgomery

Cameron Montgomery

Commonwealth and Local Government

Cameron has over 18 years of experience in OHS, Injury Management, Human Resources, Risk Management, Insurance and Corporate Governance.

As a safety professional, he serves on the Industry Advisory Board for VIOSH at Federation University, Stakeholder Reference Group, WorkSafe Victoria and has served on Industry Advisory Board of SGS Australia as an industry expert.

Cameron is a Certified Generalist OHS Professional, Fellow of the Safety Institute of Australia and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He holds an Australian Institute of Company Directors Degree, Master of Business Administration and Diploma Occupational Hazard Management.

David Sproules

David Sproules

finance and sports enthusiast

Having held many senior and varied roles within the banking industry, David is currently Managing Director of Empower Financial Fitness, specialising in commercial broking, home loan broking and marketing.

David's support to local community organisations is significant. He has been Chairperson of Ballarat City Football Club and Secretary at Ballarat Redan Cricket Club, in addition to his role as Board Member for Ballarat Connected Communities. David constantly seeks opportunities to connect with local people and develop ways in which to support the local Ballarat community.

David has an MBA from Federation University in addition to a Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting. He loves making a difference to people and enjoys nothing more than seeing people grow and improve.

Jamie Sleep

Jamie Sleep

Plumber and local business owner

A licensed plumber, Jamie operates a successful plumbing business that has proudly been supplying water solutions to the wider Ballarat community for over 45 years.

In his mid-twenties Jamie chose to join the Apex Club of Wendouree where he could expel his enthusiasm to support community members.

He can attest to gaining more than what he gave throughout his involvement with Apex. Jamie volunteers with The Old Colonists’ Association of Ballarat and Commerce Ballarat as a business mentor.

Mardi Richardson

Mardi Richardson

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Mardi is a highly motivated, results driven leader with 20 years of experience in the education management industry in leadership roles, specialising in strategy development in stakeholder engagement, marketing, communications, public relations and project management.

She grew up in Ballarat and spent twenty years developing her career and gaining experience in Melbourne, prior to returning to her hometown. Mardi is currently Head of Engagement at Ballarat Clarendon College.

Mardi has a Master of Business Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Management.

Sarah Anstis

Sarah Anstis

Statutory Compliance

Sarah currently works at the City of Ballarat as the Statutory Compliance Administration Officer and specialises in Governance and Audit.

Sarah has worked at the City of Ballarat for over 7 years and holds a Certificate 4 in Government Relations and a Diploma in Business.


Sarah Hallam

Sarah Hallam

MARKETING, events and engagement

Sarah is a tertiary qualified events, communication and marketing professional with over 15 years experience in the education, membership organisation, hospitality and professional services industries.

She is currently a Senior Marketing and Engagement Specialist at Factotum Communications.

Sarah went to high school in Ballarat and recently returned to Ballarat after working and living in Melbourne and London. She has always sought out roles that add value and make a difference and is excited to be part of Ballarat Connected Communities.

Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of emerging adults?

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