OUR CHAIR AND DIRECTORS

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Grant Gilfillan | Chair | BME
First appointed 01/10/2025 | Term of office 31/05/2029

Grant has extensive leadership experience across the mining, ports, logistics, and transport sectors, having served in Chief Executive and Director roles in Australia and internationally. In addition to a Degree in Mining Engineering, he holds Mine Managers Certificates in NSW and WA and is a Past President and Honorary life Member of The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH).

He is known for his ability to drive organisational performance, foster strong industry relationships, and lead cultural and commercial transformation. The achievements Grant values the most are the coaching and development of others who have gone on to become more confident and better leaders.

Monica McKendry | BBus (Acct) CA GAICD
First Appointed 01/10/2020 | Term of office 30/09/2027

Monica is a Chartered Accountant and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  She was a partner of the Mackay based accounting practice SH Tait & Co and for more than 25 years provided a diverse range of business clients with accounting, taxation and business advice and services.  Monica is also the Interim Chair of the Mackay Hospital and Health Service and an external representative of the Mackay Regional Council's Audit Committee.

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Melinda Hashimoto | B.Ed (LOTE) MBA (Leadership) JP (Qual)
First appointed 02/10/2025 | Term of office 31/05/2029

Melinda Hashimoto is the CEO of Egg Farmers of Australia. Melinda has been involved in the areas of trade and investment and government policy having worked for both state and federal Ministers with involvement in Agriculture, transport and rural regions.

Melinda has B.Ed (LOTE), MBA (Leadership), is a qualified florist, JP (Qual) and in 2025 was awarded a Churchill Fellowship.

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Lachlan Millar
First appointed 02/10/2025 | Term of office 31/05/2029

Mr Millar was appointed to the Board in October 2025, with a career spanning 10 years as a rural journalist for the ABC as well as a decade as the Member for Gregory, Mr Millar brings a wealth of experience to NQBP.

Originally from a farming/irrigation family in Emerald, Mr Millar understands the challenges faced by a regionally based organisation. He has previously held roles as a Ministerial Advisor and Executive of Fitzroy Basin Food and Fibre and currently works part-time for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in commercial and corporate affairs.

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Kelly Newton | LLB, BBusMan 
First appointed 02/10/2025 | Term of office 31/05/2029

Kelly is co-owner of food manufacturing and marketing business, Keppel Eats and Cattlemen’s, which makes and sells value added meat products into the Australian foodservice channel nationally.  After an early career in law, Kelly turned her focus to growing a regional business, expanding market share and reach.