Economic Development Advisory Committee

Liam Wood was born and bred in Mildura and grew up on the banks of Kings Billabong.

After graduating from the Red Cliffs High School, Liam went on to study landscape architecture at RMIT University. He moved back to Mildura 13 years ago and now runs three businesses.

Liam has a keen interest in events/tourism and the small business sector which he says are vital drivers for the local economy.

He has dedicated significant resources and time into events and hospitality in Sunraysia for over a decade.

Liam is involved in many annual charity events, such as Ladies Day, which raises money for Sunraysia cancer research, as well as the ‘our walk’ event, which has raised money for several charities. He said these and other similar events raise much needed funds for local organisations which often get forgotten at State and Federal level.

Judith is the Chief Executive Officer of Western Murray Irrigation leading the strategic and operational delivery of water services to more than 400 customers across the NSW/Sunraysia region.

She has more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning agribusiness, export development, stakeholder engagement and regional economic growth.

Previously, Judith served as Chief Executive Officer of Citrus Australia, where she was recognised with the 2019 Service to Industry Award for her contribution to the citrus sector.

Being passionate about growing sustainable industries and vibrant communities she also served as a Director of Mildura Regional Development from 2017 to 2023, helping to advance major regional projects and economic initiatives.

After moving from Adelaide to marry a local, Kendall Livingstone serves as a regional manager at Monash University's School of Rural Health, where she leads initiatives focused on rural health and education.

Kendall has dedicated nearly 20 years to strengthening the university’s engagement and health workforce outcomes with the Mildura community. Her leadership is marked by a collaborative spirit and a commitment to creating supportive environments for both staff and students.

Her career spans administrative and managerial roles where she honed her operational skills. She has also pursued further education in accounting, while juggling life and work. Whether she’s supporting students, mentoring staff, or working behind the scenes, Kendall brings energy, empathy and a whole lot of heart to everything she does.

Max Shawcross is an accomplished resources-industry executive who relocated to the Sunraysia region to provide a rural community lifestyle for his family.

With 25 years’ experience across exploration, mining operations, strategy and business development, Max began his career at the Fosterville Gold Mine before progressing to senior roles with Mount Isa Mines (Xstrata/Glencore) in Queensland, supporting major operational and expansion projects valued at more than $350 million. He later co-founded a mining venture with a syndicate of investors and, more recently, led multi-disciplinary teams of up to 220 people with a $90 million annual budget across BHP’s South Australian operations.

Max holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Geology) (Hons), a Bachelor of Business (Economics), and an Executive MBA, complemented by extensive leadership and industry training. Raised on a mixed-farming property near Echuca, he now enjoys cycling, waterskiing, gardening and supporting his local community.

Born and raised in Mildura, Ryan boasts a strong connection to the local community and a passion for contributing to its growth.

He holds bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science and Business, a foundation that’s shaped both Ryan’s problem-solving approach and entrepreneurial direction.

Together with wife, Clare, Ryan owns and operates Hammerton’s Jewellers and Etheringtons The Jewellers, continuing a legacy of craftsmanship and service in the region. Beyond retail, he manages a portfolio of commercial properties that support local businesses and help strengthen Mildura’s economic landscape.

Ryan is a previous chair and vice-chair of Mildura City Heart, working closely with traders and stakeholders to enhance the vibrancy of Mildura’s CBD. His work across these areas reflects a long-standing commitment to Mildura’s future and the people who make it home.

Elise is from a Mallee Track broadacre farming family who graduated from Monash University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Nursing, before completing a Master of Nursing (Emergency Care). She has built a successful career in the healthcare industry, having held a number of senior roles in acute and multi-purpose healthcare facilities across Australia.

Elise started her professional career as an undergraduate nurse with The Alfred Hospital Emergency & Trauma Centre before further developing as a senior Critical Care clinician while dabbling in Hyperbaric Nursing at Victoria’s state service and completing post-graduate qualifications in this field. Elise’s career at The Alfred also saw her lead the hospital’s International Projects in conjunction with the Victorian Government, while working as a Critical Care Educator and Adjunct Lecturer with La Trobe University.

A love for travel allowed Elise to further develop her career in rural and remote primary and indigenous healthcare where she spent three years travelling and working in remote Top End Australia as an endorsed Remote Area Nurse, and as Nurse Manager and Director of Nursing of multi-purpose health facilities, before returning to Sunraysia to be closer to family.

Elise began working at Mildura’s acute public hospital in 2017, and in that time has held roles as the Hospital Coordinator, Deputy Director of Nursing (Access & Flow), Health Operations Transition Manager and more recently with Mildura Base Public Hospital as the Executive Director Clinical Operations and now Executive Director Compliance & Patient Experience.

Outside of work Elise remains connected with the family farm and local community, is kept busy with her two young children and enjoys connecting with family and friends as often as possible.

Stefano De Pieri migrated to Australia in 1974 from Italy, before attending Sydney Road Community School and completing a Politics Degree at Melbourne University.

He worked as a ministerial advisor in the State Government for some years prior to coming to Mildura in 1991. Stefano established Stefano’s Restaurant and published a book (Gondola on the Murray) which became a TV series. He also helped establish Arts Mildura, La Trobe University and the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show.

Stefano is keen support economic development, tourism and events and reinvigorate the arts industry.

He is currently the Patron of the Melbourne-based Institute of Post Colonial Studies, looking among other things at the future of food and regional economies. Stefano is also on the Committee for the Mildura Writers Festival, the Alternative Varieties Wine Show and was previously a member of the Mildura Regional Development Board.

Outside of his professional duties Stefano is interested in literature, music and food and a modicum of exercise.