The team behind UBC
The executive team of Urunga Business and Community are all elected volunteers that apply our expertise toward the shared ambition to help “Build Vibrant Coastal Villages”
Rod Macpherson – President
Rod Macpherson has been involved in Urunga Business and Community for over 10 years, having served as Secretary, Vice President and now President.
Rod has a strong and diverse business background. He is the General Manager of local Bellingen publishing company Affirmations Australia, a position he has held since 2016. He has had a lengthy career in banking where he held senior executive roles in human resources and sales in Australia and overseas. Prior to joining Affirmations he was the principal of his HR consultancy, HR People Matters.
Rod is active in the community. He has served on several local boards including the North Coast AFL, North Coast Institute of TAFE and R&R Care. Rod has held the office of Area Governor for Toastmasters International and is the author of the book Conscious Leadership. Being originally from Tasmania, Aussie Rules is Rod’s favourite football code. He is the coach of AFL umpires for the North Coast, mentoring the next crop of umpires to help maintain a strong code. Rod is particularly happy when Collingwood wins.
Helen Trist
Before retiring, Helen was a dedicated Public School teacher for over 38 years in Western Sydney and the Mid North Coast area.
Helen has a passion for both community and travel. She enjoys visiting and exploring “hidden treasures” around Australia and the world. Helen also loves meeting new people and learning about their perspectives, traditions, and stories.
Helen has joined Urunga Business & Community as Secretary, as she believes volunteering is a powerful way to connect with others, support local initiatives, and build a stronger, more cohesive society.
Helen and her family have lived in Urunga since 2000 and have made many friends through volunteering and supporting local sporting groups, community events and school P&Cs. Helen is currently an active member of Urunga SES.
Living in the stunning Bellingen Shire provides a beautiful environment for many of Helen’s outdoor pursuits, including cycling in surrounding bushlands, paddling on the Kalang, beach walks with her dog and even playing a bit of golf!
Janette Fairleigh – Treasurer
For the last 20 years Janette has worked in the banking industry, firstly on securitisation processes for a non bank lender then starting her own outsourcing business for mortgage brokers. This led to Janette gaining a Credit Licence and becoming a qualified mortgage broker.
For 20 years previously she worked mainly in IT, holding leadership roles with leading tech companies of the time, developing internet strategies and embracing the PC and Dot Com eras.
Janette has studied eCommerce Management at Macquarie Grad School, has diplomas in Finance and Mortgage Broking and has mentored Start Up companies at The University of Western Sydney.
Janette loves photography and Dragon Boat paddling.
Bruce Miller – Vice President
Bruce’s varied work life has ranged from prawn trawlers in the Gulf, road works on the Nullabor Plain and an undertaker’s assistant in Queensland.
For 29 year Bruce was a professional photographer, including working for the Sydney Morning Herald, Financial Review and Good Weekend, where he held senior journalism and management roles, as well as 13 years as a freelance advertising and editorial photographer.
These were dream jobs but technology changed the landscape and Bruce transitioned to Community and Stakeholder Management for large construction projects. These included the Gold Coast and Sydney Light Rail projects and the Harwood bridge. He enjoyed this work, which luckily has bought him to Urunga, where he has settled and tries to give back with community involvement.
Jenny Sewell – Vice President
Jen Sewell makes the most of the natural beauty of Urunga. She’s often seen walking her Labrador Otis or paddling the Kalang and Bellinger rivers on her stand-up paddle board. From the age of five, she spent every holiday across the river at Mylestom. She made Urunga home in 2013.
Jen has a diverse business background. She started life as a primary school teacher, educated at Armidale CAE and working in various locations across NSW. From there it was the family real estate business, an opportunity that saw her develop into a top regional agent and ultimately become the National Training Manager for the First National Real Estate Group. Thus began her current focus as an adult educator. Jen says education is the same whatever the age; adults are just kids in big bodies. She delights in her national role as Academic Director for UNE Partnerships and consulting nationally to SMEs. Her many varied roles over time such as Marketing Manager for Reflections Holiday Parks, Brand Manager for TAFE NSW, and Director of Development PLC Armidale saw Jen develop as a respected leader and manager.
An innovative and free-spirited individual, Jen sees herself as a lifelong learner and has an abundance of energy and expertise to offer to this Shire.
By far her greatest legacy are her three adult children all leading successful lives and building a bright future for Australia. Each one is kind, hardworking and has a strong social conscience. Spending time with these young folk, their spouses and growing families is what Jen loves best in life.