Our People – Staff and Board Members
CENTRE MANAGER JULIA POOLE: Julia joined The People Place in 2023 and brings with her a broad knowledge and experience in leading and managing community not for profit organisations. Julia is committed to connecting people with people, developing communities to be strong inclusive places with the opportunity to have fun, laugh and try new experiences together.
ADMINISTRATION OFFICER MICHELLE STOBBIE: Michelle moved to Busselton with her family in 1986 and became a single mother in 1996, before meeting her now husband. Now a mother of three with identical twin girls in 2006; her husband is a FIFO worker. She attended playgroup with her twins and served on the Busselton Family Playgroup Committee for three years when the girls attended the now ceased Fun 4s Program. Michelle has extensive experience and qualifications in administration and accounting. She has held the position of Coach of an Under 18s netball team for the past 4 years.
CHAIRPERSON LORRAINE WATTS: Lorraine joined the Board in 2021 after a long association through Naturaliste University of the Third Age where she was Secretary and Course Leader. Lorraine is a Director on the Board of Busselton Water. Prior to retirement Lorraine held senior roles at various State Government Departments including the Department for Communities, Training, Disability Services and Culture and the Arts. Lorraine has a strong community development background from her work in metropolitan and regional WA and an interest in life-long learning. She has tertiary qualifications in Management and Professional Writing.
VICE-CHAIRPERSON MAXINE PALMER: Maxine has over 25 years’ experience in leadership roles working in commercial, not for profit, local government and family businesses in the UK and Australia developing strategy and delivering a diverse range of operational and strategic projects. With a broad range of experience in different Board and Committee roles within Local Government and community with oversight of strategy development for new service innovation, place making to support economic development, risk management, Occupational Health and Safety, policy setting and marketing strategy.
Maxine has led in excess of 100 staff across multiple service areas including a national team of field staff, customer service centres, human resources, recreation, events, arts, culture and research and development teams.
BOARD MEMBER PAULINE ROCKLEY: Pauline was born in NSW but moved to Perth in 2002. She has three adult children. After graduating as a mature-age student she worked with the NSW Department for Community Services for twenty-five years. During that period she worked in a variety of senior roles in a number of Community Centres. Her last twelve years were as District Manager, Community Services. As a Child Protection Specialist she provided training to hundreds of teachers on the mandatory reporting of child sexual assault. Pauline was on several committees during her years in NSW, including domestic violence, youth services, multicultural services and services to families.
In 2002, Pauline was contracted to the WA Disability Services Commission for nine years. In this role she monitored the Disability Services Standards. She moved to Busselton nine years ago and has been a member of the Vasse Primary P&C for the past five years. She is a Committee Member of Naturaliste U3A and a volunteer at the Art Geo complex. Pauline likes to travel and immerse herself in different cultures. Her hobbies include writing, mosaics, gym and walking her dog on the beach.
BOARD MEMBER JOAN PARKE: Joan grew up on the family orchard in Donnybrook. For many years she and her family holidayed, fished and swam along the Busselton beaches. When she retired in 2011 she had an opportunity to come and live in Busselton and is very glad that she did.
Previously Joan was a teacher for many years and for some time had her own tutoring business. Soon after coming to Busselton she joined the Naturaliste University of the Third Age Inc and has run many courses and been on the Committee and President of that group for some 10 years. On retiring from that position she ‘rejoined’ The People Place Board and is very much looking forward to being part of the team.
BOARD MEMBER ANN STANTON: Ann Stanton moved to Busselton five years ago, after relocating to be closer to both daughters and families who have lived in the region for many years. Ann first came to The People Place four years ago to attend The Permaculture Project and was enthralled with her new found learning for this method and the joy the garden gave. Dedicated to being involved in the community, Ann has also volunteered for several organisations including Hands Up 4 Kids and Ryde Program. Although initially moving to retire, Ann retrained as a Support Worker in 2018 and continues to work for Capecare in the community. With a passion for the arts, Ann has also volunteered with CinefestOZ and is a current member of the Busselton Repertory club.
SECRETARY JAMES JARVIS: James is committed to working in partnership with people to create strong communities of connected and capable people.
James has been part of the Linkwest Board since 2015, and Chairperson since 2020. Over many years, James has volunteered for many management committees, including Volunteer South West, Donnybrook Community Resource Centre, Pilbara For Purpose, Regional Arts WA, Tom Price Community Arts and Cultural Centre, Men’s Sheds, festivals, and events. His approach to developing communities is strengths-based, follows asset-based principles, is enthusiastic and passionate about working with the community to make a positive difference.