Committee Members
Melissa Dower
President
Melissa leverages over ten years of local government leadership experience and is committed to fostering a values-based culture of service, accountability, and growth. Currently employed as the Local Government Community and Sport Manager in South East Queensland’s fastest growing city, Melissa holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Bachelor in Business & Commerce (HRM), and a Bachelor in Vocational Education & Training. Additionally, she has completed the Company Directors Course, Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)
Currently Melissa is a Director of an organisation that employees over 700 Apprentices and Trainees, and with a strong dedication to community service, has previously held volunteer Secretary positions with Wide Bay Sexual Assault Service and many sporting organisations.
Summer Darling
Secretary
Summer has over twelve years of experience in strategic communications and has had the privilege of working across state and federal government, local councils, not-for-profits and community organisations to help bring ideas to life and make a real difference.
Her background spans regional development, sporting groups, franchising, business start-ups, and local chambers of commerce, with hands-on experience in events, stakeholder engagement, governance, finance, project delivery and community partnerships.
Currently, Summer works in a community-focused delivery role that involves supporting vulnerable persons, local groups and members of the community, as well as the organisations and departments that provide vital frontline services.
Summer is passionate about helping communities and organisations grow stronger through collaboration, transparency, and shared purpose.
Sharon Abell
Treasurer
Sharon graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Electronic Commerce, before becoming a qualified Chartered Accountant in 2008.
Sharon has over 15 years accounting career experience, starting in public practice before moving to commercial roles in the mining and manufacturing sectors.
Outside of work, Sharon volunteers with not-for-profit organisations that focus on assisting the local Wide Bay community.
Renae Clayton
Committee Member
Renae is a highly skilled CPA with over 30 years of experience across commercial, health, and not-for-profit accounting sectors. Throughout her career, she has successfully combined strategic planning with the management of complex operational challenges, ensuring quality outcomes for organisations, clients, and stakeholders alike.
Her expertise spans a wide range of areas, including finance, asset management, risk management, quality assurance, governance, and Information Technology, along with a comprehensive understanding of government policy and processes.
Renae is currently employed as the CFO of Greensill Farming. Before this, she spent 13 years as the CFO at Regional Housing, one of Queensland’s most respected community housing providers. This role provided her with invaluable insights into the operational complexities and strategic challenges faced by the not-for-profit sector in delivering vital human services to those in need.
In addition to her professional roles, Renae has previously served as Treasurer for various sporting organisations and schools, and as a Director on the CHPs for Qld Board, further expanding her leadership experience and commitment to community-focused initiatives.