| Tracey Hodgkins| President: As President, Tracey is dedicated to ensuring the Chamber effectively supports its members and strengthens the wider community. With over 30 years of experience in entrepreneurial education, product, service, and tourism development, she brings a wealth of expertise across multiple industries. Tracey is the owner of Blackwood Valley Escapes, specialising in short-term rental hosting, design and property staging, and Purple Fox Global, home to The Sustainable Host—a sustainability and tiny house education platform. She is also the author of three books on sustainable living and STR tourism development. Beyond her business ventures, Tracey serves as the Chair of Industry OneCard, a global employee training and compliance tracking software solution that supports safer, more efficient workplaces. A recognised leader in the tiny house and sustainability movement, Tracey continues to champion education, innovation, and community-driven growth across the region. Her awards include Telstra Business Woman of the Year, BHERT Entrepreneurial Educator of the Year and many more. |
| Simon Robinson| Vice President: Simon brings diverse long-term entrepreneurial experience to the role. He is committed to supporting local enterprise, fostering economic growth in the region, and strengthening the Chamber's role as an advocate for the region's business community. |
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John Bergasmachi| Secretary/Treasurer:
John is a chef of 44 years’ experience, with a background in business, owning multiple restaurants and food outlets as well as many retail outlets. John and his partner are now running Cottagecore Living, a homewares and furniture store in the heart of Bridgetown. |
| Chris Maher Accomplished entrepreneur, business advisor, and community leader with over 40 years of diverse professional experience in both the government and private sectors across Western Australia. Proven success in founding, growing, and managing multiple businesses in the retail, tourism, and digital sectors. A strategic thinker with a deep commitment to community development, demonstrated through long-term voluntary leadership roles. Now leveraging a lifetime of skills and experience from the Kimberley in a new chapter in the South West of Western Australia. |
| Rachel Mott Rachel Mott is the founder of Growing Wild Consulting, working with small businesses, community organisations and events across the South West to help them grow through strategic, authentic marketing. She joined the Chamber Board to support the ongoing prosperity of the local business community and strengthen collaboration between business, tourism and community sectors. Her focus is on building regional visibility, fostering partnerships and helping local businesses tell their stories in ways that attract both locals and visitors. With more than 20 years’ experience in business and brand strategy, marketing and communications, Rachel is passionate about sustainable growth, regional advocacy and showcasing what makes Bridgetown and the Blackwood Valley such vibrant places to visit, live and work. |
| Sherylyn Gawel Sherylyn along with her husband David, owners of Garvs Auto Electrics and Air Conditioning in Bridgetown, are proud to call Bridgetown home. After operating a successful mobile auto electrics business in Broome for 14 years, they made Bridgetown their home and have been running Garvs here for the past 3 years. |
| Martin Gray Martin relocated from Perth to Bridgetown with his family around two years ago to be closer to his grandchildren and to enjoy all the region has to offer. Following an extensive career in business, technology, and corporate sales across Australia, Martin has reinvented himself in local residential and commercial real estate sales, as well as business brokering, under the Harcourts Hartland franchise. Outside of his professional pursuits, Martin is a familiar face, performing at live music events throughout the region and remains actively involved in the local community.
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Industry and Government Representatives |
| Phil Beach - Bridgetown Greenbushes Tourism Association (BGTA) A self-motivated and results-driven leader with over 25 years of senior and project management experience, including software development, infrastructure deployment, and business solution design. His background includes managing major commercial and aeronautical systems projects with IBM UK and British Airways, as well as leading WA Government initiatives such as the $27 million Shared Land Information Platform (SLIP) and multiple web systems for Landgate. Now based in Bridgetown, he manages Maranup Ford Caravan Park, overseeing its commercial kitchen and working farm operations. He is also a proud member of the BGTA and is leading the EV Charge Up Project at Puzzletown. |
| Kailee Lingard - Talison Lithium Kailee Lingard is the Commercial Director at Talison Lithium, the region’s largest employer. With a strong background in mining, commercial operations, and asset management projects, Kailee is deeply committed to strengthening Talison’s role as a genuine community partner. She is passionate about fostering collaboration and ensuring the company’s growth continues to support the prosperity and sustainability of the wider Bridgetown-Greenbushes region beyond the mine. |
| Trish McCourt - Bridgetown Greenbushes Shire Trish McCourt is a passionate community advocate with a diverse background spanning not-for-profit leadership, corporate planning, and small business ownership. Bringing a wealth of experience in community engagement and strategic development, she has recently joined the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes as the Community and Economic Development Team Leader, where she is dedicated to fostering growth, connection, and sustainable progress across the region. |