Royal Agricultural Society of WA chief executive Robyn Sermon named new Wheatbelt Development Commission chair

Trailblazing female leader Robyn Sermon has added another string to her bow after being named the new chair of the Wheatbelt Development Commission. Ms Sermon — who lives in Perth but originally hails from and still has a farm at Grass Valley in the Wheatbelt — will retain her full-time role as the chief executive of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA after taking on that job in February 2022. She brings a swathe of senior State Government experience to her additional role as the WDC chair, after serving on other boards including the WA Country Health Service, Regional Health Alliance and the Royal Flying Doctors Service. Ms Sermon said she had been approached for the role and was keen to take it on after some careful consideration. “My career has always been focused on regional development,” she said. “I think WA’s Regional Development Commissions play a huge role in networking and connecting people... and a lot of that work doesn’t get seen. “To be able to give feedback and have a strong regional voice in government is so important.” Mr Sermon takes the reigns from Noongar leader and businessman Oral McGuire, who kept the seat warm in an acting capacity for 10 months after Rebecca Tomkinson stepped down after taking on a role as the chief executive of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy. Mr McGuire has now stepped back into the deputy chair role — a position he will hold until at least December 31 next year. The board also includes Darkan farmer and business leader Kerryn Chia, Moora Group WA chief executive Shane Kay, and WDC’s acting ceo Susan Hall. Regional Development Minister Don Punch congratulated Ms Sermon, saying WA’s nine Regional Development Commissions played a crucial role in connecting business with government. “I have no doubt the Wheatbelt Development Commission will continue to make those valuable connections under the leadership of Robyn Sermon,” he said. “She has executive leadership and board experience across a range of industries, and strong connections with the agricultural community, which will put her in good stead to chair the Wheatbelt Development Commission.”