Board Of Directors

Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Limited (GAPDL) has a board of Directors who oversee the strategic direction of GAPDL.

Peter is an experienced Gladstone businessman. Peter and his wife Kathy are owner/manager of Big 4 Barney Beach. Helping found GAPDL in 1983, Peter served as a Director for several years and later as its General Manager (1985 to 1994), advancing and expanding its regional presence.

An enthusiastic promoter and advocate for the Gladstone Region, Peter has lengthy involvement in economic and industry development; tourism administration and promotion; together with project and community facilitation. This is reflected in his many years in local government, retiring last year after 14 years as the city’s Mayor. His civic duties included membership of a number of key Boards and Authorities.

Peter is keen to continue his voluntary commitment to GAPDL as it seeks to strengthen its key roles in this region- a successful centre for industrial development, tourism interests and community progress.

Maxine Brushe has been a Director of GAPDL since 1991 and Chair from 2000-2007, 2007-08. Maxine was a Calliope Shire Councillor for 13 years (5 as Deputy Mayor) and now holds a position as Councillor for the Gladstone Regional Council.

Maxine operated a small business with her husband Fred for 15 years and was more recently employed by Education Queensland as Senior Project Officer. Maxine has extensive community involvement as Secretary Bindaree Lodge Management Board Inc, President Boyne Tannum Arts Business Community (BTABC) Assoc Inc, Secretary Schools and Industry Network Inc, Patron of Boyne Tannum Swim Club, and a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow.

Judy has over 30 years experience in event management, and most recently held the position of General Manager of Gladstone Festivals and Events. Stepping down from her festival position late last year, Judy continues her community work as a well-known civil celebrant, and involvement with the RSPCA. Judy is the longest-serving Director of GAPDL, holding the executive position of Board Secretary for many years and currently.

Peter is currently the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary for Queensland Alumina Limited. He has spent the past 30 years in the finance roles within the Resources sector. He has a Bachelor of Finance Administration and is a Certified Practicing Accountant.

Appointed in 2002 Peter is keen to continue his involvement with GAPDL to advance the Gladstone Region.

Chris Brooker is the QantasLink Area Sales Manager for the Gladstone region. His role brings him in contact with members of the tourism industry, local government, industry and "the flying public" in Gladstone, Rockhampton, Western Queensland and Brisbane. Prior to commencing his current role, he was the route manager for Brisbane to Gladstone flights in the revenue management department of QantasLink for 2 years.

Born in New Zealand (please don't hold this against him) he studied marketing at Otago University before setting off to London to work as a travel agent on a working holiday for 2 years. Chris is based in Brisbane but spends at least 5 days a month working in Gladstone.

It is very rare in radio circles that one announcer stays put for any length of time however Grant found his new home in Gladstone after accepting a job at 4CC from South Australia in 1988. From the creative department, program manager & senior sales staff, Grant always kept the Breakfast Show humming with an emphasis on local events & civic pride. After only a couple of short stints away from the microphone, Grant retired from 4CC after 15 years and a total of 20 years in radio in 2006 and put his marketing & creative knowledge into building Gladstone’s first full service Advertising Agency.

Teaming up with Jamie McKenzie and his wife Natalie, the three created Cooper McKenzie Marketing in Oct 2005 with an impressive list of local clientele willing to be onboard from day one. Since then the company has grown to manage the marketing needs of national, state wide & local retailers and service orientated businesses.

With an obvious passion for the greater Gladstone area, it was only a matter of time before he found his way onto the board of the GAPDL.

Leigh has been employed by The Rock Building Society Limited since 2002, with her current position being Retail Banking Executive.

Leigh has over 18 years experience in the finance industry and holds an Associate Diploma in financial services and is an Associate of the Austrailian Institute of Finance.

Leigh has involved herself in the Gladstone community and worked with several committees such as Gladstone Chamber of Commerce and Roseberry Community Services Men's Shelter.

Leigh has held the position of Deputy Chairperson at GAPDL since 2004 and prior to this was an elected board member.

A successful Gladstone business owner from 1986 to 2005, Len holds great passion and belief for the Gladstone Region.
Len served as a Councillor on Gladstone City Council from 2004-2008, and has also participated on several boards, including; Gladstone Entertainment Centre, Gladstone Calliope Aerodrome Board, GAPDL, Gladstone Festivals and Events.
Current Len is the Treasurer for the Gladstone Central Committee on the Ageing and Chairman of the Crime Stoppers Gladstone Area Committee.

Mat is a newcomer to the industry ranks in Gladstone, but this is his fourth term on the GAPDL Board.
Mat spent some six years working in the local media industry, gaining an extensive background in the key issues and players that have changed the face of the region over the past seven years. Last year he moved into the role of community relations manager for Rio Tinto Alcan in Gladstone, becoming the appointed industry representative on the GAPDL Board. During his time in Gladstone Mat has seen the region change and grow and has a keen interest in helping to shape the future direction of the community.
He recognises the GAPDL is an ideal vehicle to support the future direction and prosperity of this passionate community.
Mat is also a committee member for Meteors Football Club.

Gladstone born and bred, at 35 Matt Burnett is the youngest Councillor on the Gladstone Regional Council. Matt was first elected to Gladstone City Council in March 2000 and returned in 2004. Following the 2008 election Matt was appointed as the Gladstone Regional Council representative on the Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd (GAPDL), Traffic & Environment Advisory Committee, Urban Local Government Association and the Queensland Statewide Health Service Plan 2007-2012 Reference Group.
Matt is also the Portfolio Spokesman for Gladstone Regional Council’s Infrastructure Services Department.
He has previously represented Council on The Civic Beautification Committee, The Gladstone Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gladstone Calliope Aerodrome Board and the Municipal Band Committee.
Matt also represents the Gladstone region as a member of the local Health Community Council and the Central Committee on the Ageing.