MS KAREN FARLEY SC - CHAIR

Appointed August 2022

Karen Farley SC (B. Juris, LLB) is a legal practitioner who has practiced primarily in criminal law for more than 30 years. Before her appointment to the RWWA Board, Karen was a member of the Racing Penalties Appeals Tribunal, and was Chair of the Tribunal from 2018-2022. Currently, Karen is a Senior Appeals Consultant at Legal Aid WA, is a member of the Legal Practice Board of WA, holds positions on three committees of the Law Society of WA, and is a local government Shire Councillor. Karen has taught at the University of Western Australia, Notre Dame and Murdoch law schools. She has a keen interest in governance and ethics and has served on many government and non-government boards and committees, including as Chair of the Childcare Services Board, Chair of Boards of Visitors, as well as co-chairing the Board of Management of St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls. Karen has been interested in all three racing codes from an early age. She has been a part owner of three thoroughbreds. In 2013, Karen was appointed Senior Counsel for and in the State of Western Australia.

MS CATHERINE FERRARI

Appointed 1 February 2021

Catherine Ferrari (B. Bus, MLM, FCPA, GAICD) and has had an extensive career holding a range of senior executive roles as well as non executive director roles. Most recently Catherine was the General Manager Customer and Community at the Water Corporation. Previous roles include CEO of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and State Director of CPA Australia (Western Australia). Catherine is currently the Deputy Chair of the West Australian Opera, a Trustee of the Legal Contribution Trust and a Director of the SmartCrete CRC. With 20+ years experience of Board roles, in a diverse range of sectors and industries, and also of working with boards at senior executive level Catherine is well versed in governance principles and has experience in high level board decision making and advisory input.

MR DAVID SIMONETTE

Appointed August 2021

David has more than 35 years’ experience across the wagering, gaming and racing sectors. Since graduating from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1982, he has held senior positions in the public service as well as management roles at Burswood Casino, Racing and Wagering Western Australia and the WA Greyhound Racing Association. David has also been CEO of Greyhound Clubs Australia, representing the nation’s 60 race clubs. David has a hands-on racing background as a greyhound breeder, owner and trainer. He enjoyed success as the breeder of the 1987 National Sprint Champion and part-owner of 1993 WA Greyhound of the Year. He has also owned thoroughbreds and harness horses. In the 1990s and 2000s, David’s journalism, radio (6PR, Racing Radio) and television (Channel 7 and 31) work covered all three racing codes. He received the Gerry O’Keefe Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to greyhound racing in 2014.

MR BOB FOWLER

Appointed August 2016

Managing Director of Fowler Group of Companies employing over 200 employees across five diversified businesses, 48 years in the motor vehicle industry, currently Dealer Principal of Westside Auto Wholesale. Other businesses include two Holiday Parks, Willoughby Park Winery and Boston Brewery, both situated in the Great Southern town of Denmark. Bob’s passion is Allwood Stud Farm situated in Bullsbrook, Western Australia. Founding Director of WA Auto Auctions 1992-1999. Executive Director of publicly listed Auto Group Auctions 1999-2002. President of Western Australian Standardbred Breeders Association 1985-1988. Fifteen years Committee Member of the Western Australian Trotting Association, 12 years as Vice President, final term as President. Also Chairman of Finance and Director of CFM Television. Deputy Board Member Motor Vehicle Dealer’s Licensing Board 2008-2012. Licensed General Auctioneer for 36 years. Deputy Board Member of RWWA for three terms as nominee of The Western Australian Trotting Association.

MR COLIN HOLT

Appointed August 2021

Colin was WA Legislative Council Member for the South West from 2009 to 2021. He is a former state Racing and Gaming Minister as well as Housing Minister. His numerous roles have included Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Regional Development, Water, Forestry, Sport and Recreation. Colin is also Deputy Chairperson of the Western Australian Voluntary Assisted Dying Board. A Bachelor of Science (Zoology) graduate from the University of Western Australia, Colin is a foundation partner of ARID, a community development company dedicated to the improvement of regional communities, industries and leadership. He is driven to continue using his knowledge, work background and parliamentary service to contribute to the people and society of Western Australia. Colin has lived, worked and raised a family in every region of the state. He has also worked across Australia and established wide-ranging networks in community, business and political arenas.

MR ANTHONY HASLUCK

Appointed February 2014

Managing Director of Clarity Communications since 1999. Anthony is one of WA’s leading communications consultants and heads the largest independently owned agency in Western Australia assisting corporations with public relations, branding, design and digital communications. Prior to establishing Clarity he played a senior role in another consultancy and spent six years in the United Kingdom working in the construction, engineering and energy sectors in corporate and government communications roles. He is a former Board member of the Enirgi Metals Group, which operates the Australian subsidiaries of the international Enirgi Group. Anthony is Chairman of Western Australia’s leading visual arts organization Artsource. Anthony is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). He started his career as a journalist after graduating from the University of Western Australia in 1988.

MR STEPHEN LANGSFORD

Appointed February 2018

Stephen is a corporate adviser, company director and entrepreneur. Stephen has founded and operated a number of companies in the consumer digital and information technology sectors including Australian streaming pioneer ASX- listed Quickflix, management consulting and solutions group Change Corporation and web development company Method + Madness. His earlier corporate career was in funds management. Stephen served on the board of film funding agency ScreenWest for 10 years until 2017 and currently serves on the board of mental healthcare group Richmond Wellbeing. Stephen has a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Western Australia. He has an interest in foreign affairs and is a member of the Australian Institute of International Affairs.

MS SUE MIDDLETON

Appointed February 2022

Sue Middleton (GAICD) is a farmer, agribusiness Director of Moora Citrus and Northern Valley Packers which collectively employ over 150 people in the peak horticulture sector. Sue also manages a consulting business which supports rural communities to better manage change. Sue has worked for over three decades holding successive and extensive Board and leadership roles in agriculture and regional development, and is a passionate advocate for regional WA. Current roles include National Water Grid, Regional Telecommunications Review Panel, Chair National Farmers Federal Economics and Farm Business Committee and Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal. Sue has been awarded the Centenary Medal for Services to Regional Australia in 2002, and in 2010 was awarded the Rural Woman of the Year for Australia.