About.
YOUTH Great Southern formed in 2020 as the ‘Elwood Great Southern Trust’ following a substantial bequeath from Mr Elwood’s estate.
Renamed as YOUTH Great Southern, it is now a company limited by guarantee which is mandated to create opportunities to support and assist disadvantaged youth in the Great Southern.
Mr Elwood retired to Albany before his death and became both a client and friend of Craig Dew. From this relationship, the Trust was established to ensure Mr Elwood’s wish to leave a lasting legacy in the region would be fulfilled.
Today, as YOUTH Great Southern we work with the community and service providers to identify and support at-risk youth.
Ms Ricky Burges PSM
Chair
Prior to joining Albany Community Care in 2021 as the Chief Executive Officer, Ricky has held roles such as CEO of Albany Youth Support Association, CEO of WA Local Government Association for 19 years, Director General of the Department for Culture & the Arts, CEO of Perth Zoo and the Director of Human Resources at the WA Tourism Commission.
Ricky has a Masters in Leadership and Management from Curtin University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Development, a Certificate in Psychotherapy, and Diplomas in Coaching.
Ricky has been a member of the Murdoch University Senate, the Board of Nudge (formerly the Roads Foundation) and a member of various State and Local Government Committees and Boards. Ricky is a past President of the Australian Institute of Management and the Board of the Art Gallery of Western Australia. She was the Western Australian Businesswoman of the Year in 1997 and was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2007.
Mr Peter Watson
Director
Peter is a well-known Albany local, having represented the town in WA Parliament for twenty years, until his retirement in 2021. From 2017 to 2021 he was the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
Before entering politics, Peter ran a small business in Denmark.
He was also the Albany Post Office Manager, with over 30 years experience within Australia Post, having started as a telegram boy.
Peter Watson represented Australia in the 1968 Olympics, and the 1974 Commonwealth Games, as a middle distance runner. He also has a long involvement in coaching and umpiring junior sports, and is recognised as a Life Member of the Albany Basketball Association.
Mr Craig Dew
Director
Craig is a Director of Dew Dallimore – an accounting firm based in Albany, which he started over 25 years ago.
Craig holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Accounting from Curtin University. He is also a member of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants.
Craig was the original trustee of The Elwood Great Southern Trust, which was set up to provide financial assistance to disadvantaged youth in the Great Southern region of WA.
The trust, which was the precursor to Youth Great Southern Ltd was set up from funds provided in the will of Craig’s client and friend Tony Elwood.
Craig has previously been heavily involved in youth sport in Albany, and is excited by the opportunities that Youth Great Southern will provide to the disadvantaged youth in the Great Southern region now and in the future.
Ms Jane Hare
Executive Officer
Jane grew up in Albany, where her father taught at a local high school for nearly 30 years.
She has a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Tourism Management and a Cert IV in Small Business Management. Her work experience includes tour guiding, retail management, sales and marketing roles and administrative positions, and she brings this wide range of experience to her position as Executive Officer for Youth Great Southern.
Jane is connected to the Albany community, and has held voluntary positions on committees including serving as President for Albany Playgroup Association, and Albany Primary School Parents and Citizens Association. She has also assisted the local junior cricket association, as well as netball and football clubs through her family’s involvement in sports.
The Team.
“We have become very aware that there are lots of community groups who really need a hand, who just need a step up, and we encourage people to come forward and share those critical, innovative and exciting ideas.”
Ms Ricky Burges