Meet Our New Team & Farewell to Our Board Legends
Exciting changes are happening at Central Ranges LLEN! We’re pleased to introduce three fantastic new team members—each bringing unique skills and passion to support young people in their career journeys. Plus, we’re celebrating the well-earned promotion of Vicki Turner, who has stepped into the newly created Sunbury Macedon Ranges VET Cluster Coordinator role.
New Team Members:
Cynthia Petridis, School to Work Project Officer – With a background in event management and a passion for supporting young people, Cynthia brings fresh energy and strategic skills to our projects.
Lisa Finlayson, School to Work Administration Support Officer – Lisa ensures our School to Work Portal is up to date, helping students discover workplace opportunities and career pathways.
And let's not forget our newest and possibly most popular team member – JiLi, our therapy dog! This affectionate Labrador has an incredible talent for lifting spirits and making everyone feel welcome.
A Well-Deserved Promotion
A big congratulations to Vicki Turner on her promotion to Sunbury Macedon Ranges VET Cluster Coordinator! Since joining CRLLEN in 2023, Vicki has been instrumental in supporting young people's career transitions. In her new role, she'll be expanding VET opportunities across 10 regional schools – we can't wait to see the impact she'll continue to make!
Welcoming Our New Board Member
We are pleased to welcome Nigel Lyttle to the CRLLEN Board! Nigel is the Principal of Alexandra Secondary College and joined us in June 2024. As a dedicated educator and mathematics teacher, Nigel is passionate about ensuring students reach their full potential. He takes great pride in his school community, supporting both staff and students to excel.
Stepping into the role of Deputy Chair, Nigel brings valuable experience in school leadership and student engagement. His hands-on approach to education and commitment to empowering young people make him a fantastic addition to our Board. We look forward to his contributions in the years ahead.
Farewelling Our Valued Board Members
We're bidding farewell to two exceptional board members who have made significant contributions to our organisation:
Rebecca Stockfeld: A Strategic Leader's Contribution
With over 15 years of executive and senior management experience in local government, Rebecca Stockfeld has been an invaluable asset to Central Ranges LLEN. Her strategic insights and dedication to our mission have been remarkable.
A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors with a Bachelor in Applied Science (Planning) from RMIT and a Post Graduate Diploma in Urban Planning from Melbourne University, Rebecca brought extensive expertise in governance, reporting, urban and rural planning, and economic development.
Reflecting on her time with CRLLEN, Rebecca shared:
“I really enjoyed my time with CRLLEN, an organisation that despite being small in size has a lot of impact in the community. I was proud to be a part of it, if only for a short time.”
We deeply appreciate Rebecca’s dedication and contributions over the past two years. Her leadership and commitment to supporting young people’s futures have left a lasting impression.
John Walsh: A Community Champion's Farewell
A retired Murrindindi Shire Councillor who served three terms (including two as Mayor), John Walsh has been a cornerstone of the CRLLEN Board since 2010. His background as an Australian Army officer and risk management consultant brought strategic insight to our organisation, while his role as Treasurer helped navigate our organisation through several challenging financial periods, leaving us in a strong financial position.
CEO Nicky Leitch fondly remembers, "While I am relatively new to CRLLEN, I certainly know that John and Laura (one of our younger Board members) were full-on Tay Tay fans, and many a meeting was spent discussing costumes and songs. What I really enjoyed about working with John was his no-nonsense approach to our work. He liked to get the job done and could always cut right to the chase, especially when advocating for his beloved hometown region. It was always great to have him on our side."
Beyond the boardroom, John championed an education hub for Yea, believing passionately that people should access training without leaving their hometown. His local beef and berry farm in Yarck reflects the same community-minded spirit he brought to CRLLEN.
Is it ironic that John has handed over his Treasurer responsibilities to his fellow Swiftie, Laura Crozier?
In his own words:
"I enjoyed my time on the CRLLEN Board because I was part of an organisation focused on improving the chances of young people to succeed. There was a constant stream of new challenges which, through innovation and drive, were matched, and often surpassed, by an impressive set of achievements. It was fun to even just have a vicarious association with such activities, although I never did get on top of all the Department of Education acronyms."
Thank you, John, for your incredible service.
Board Vacancies: Your Opportunity to Get Involved
We currently have six board positions available! If you're passionate about supporting young people's education and career pathways, this could be your chance to make a difference. Our board meets 5-6 times per year across Mitchell, Murrindindi and Macedon Ranges shires.
Learn more about board membership
Awards Open for Nominations
Two awards are currently open for nominations, including one new award introduced this year.
Sue Marstaeller OAM Education Influencer Award
In honour of our beloved Sue Marstaeller OAM, we've created an award to recognise educators who positively impact young people's lives in our region.
Sue had a decade-long involvement with the Central Ranges LLEN board. Having held many executive positions over that time, her most recent tenure was Chair from May 2022 - May 2024, and she was serving as our Deputy Chair when she passed away in late 2024. All who knew Sue understood that she was a force to be reckoned with. She was a part of countless community organisations and influenced all whom she met in the best possible way. As such, our Board wanted to find a way to recognise Sue’s contributions to our local community and have created this Award in her honour.
Award Description
This award recognises an individual working in education who has positively influenced young people’s careers, pathways, or wellbeing in Macedon Ranges, Mitchell or Murrindindi. The recipient receives $1,000, expected to be used for professional development or relevant future activities and a certificate presented at the Annual General Meeting in May.
Christine Cox Trailblazer Award
The Trailblazer Award was initially developed by the Central Ranges LLEN Board to give recognition to 'trailblazers' doing important work with local young people. The award was renamed the Christine Cox Trailblazer Award in 2012 to commemorate the memory of Christine Cox. Christine was a founding member of Central Ranges LLEN and a passionate advocate for young people in our communities.
Award Description
This award recognises an individual or organisation demonstrating leadership, excellence, community impact, or a significant partnership with Central Ranges LLEN in Macedon Ranges, Mitchell or Murrindindi. The recipient receives $1,000, expected to be used for professional development or relevant future activities and a certificate presented at the Annual General Meeting in May.
Nomination Deadline for Both Awards: April 23rd 2025
We can't wait to see who will be recognised for their incredible work!
Stay connected, stay inspired, and continue supporting our young people's dreams.