Board of Directors

The GPC Board assumes overall responsibility for corporate governance practices within GPC and monitors the performance of the organisation, management and employees.

Dr Anthony Lynham

Chair – BDSC BMed (HONS), FRACDS (OMS) FRCS Ed

The Honourable Dr Anthony Lynham is a maxillofacial surgeon with extensive experience in ministerial and policy oversight of Queensland’s major publicly owned utilities and key infrastructure projects.

Dr Lynham began his surgical career in Queensland and became recognised here and internationally for his work in the surgical management and prevention of maxillofacial trauma.

In 2014, he was elected as the Member for the Electorate of Stafford before serving as a Senior Minister in the Queensland Government.

Dr Lynham is well known for his tenacious work in improving working conditions and driving investment in our state’s resources industry. Under his leadership, the most significant reforms in mining health and safety that our state has seen were introduced — protecting our workers now and into the future.

Member of the People, Performance and Culture Committee
Member of the Audit and Risk Committee

First appointed 26 August 2021
Current term 26 August 2021 – 30 September 2025

Ryl Gardner

BA (Econ & IR), GDip Management

Ryl is a senior HR specialist with more than three decades of practical experience across a range of industries and government sectors, including construction, retail, service sector, mining, tourism and hospitality, and manufacturing from commencement to established operations. As an experienced leader, Ryl has also managed her own management consulting and coaching business for more than 20 years. She has in-depth knowledge of best practice and business improvement in employee management, including a demonstrated ability to execute workforce plans and people strategies to improve individual and company performance. Ryl is a strong advocate of Central Queensland with strong family ties to the region. She has been a Member and Chair of the CQ University Gladstone Regional Engagement Committee since 2010. She is an appointed Member of the CQU Ceremonial and Honorary Awards Committee, an Industry Advisor to the Faculty of Business (HR) – Bachelor and Masters programs and a Student Mentor.

Chairperson of the People, Performance and Culture Committee

First appointed October 2021
Current term 1 October 2021 – 31 May 2024

Grant Cassidy

OAM FAICD

Grant is an experienced Company Director and long-term resident and business owner in Central Queensland. For the past 17 years, Grant has been Managing Director of his private businesses, operated under the Cassidy Hospitality Group banner. Grant’s previous 15-year career in the media industry has provided him with an in-depth knowledge of sales, marketing and media management. As a very active and long-term contributor to the area’s community organisations, Grant was Chair of Capricorn Enterprise (the region’s peak Tourism and Economic Development organisation) for 10 years, as well as a former serving Board Director at Tourism Queensland, where he also chaired their Audit and Risk Committee. He also served on the boards of CQ University and Rockhampton Girls Grammar School. Grant is the current Chair of Regional Development Australia — Fitzroy Central West Region, Vice Chair of Beef Australia, Chair of the Rockhampton Salvation Army Red Shield Business Appeal and Chair of Capricorn Business Advisory Alliance. He is also a member of the Rockhampton Regional Council Advance Rockhampton Committee and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee 

First appointed October 2015
Current term 1 October 2023 – 30 September 2025

Peta Jamieson

BA (Hons), MScEnvMgt, GAICD

Peta has extensive experience in Queensland State Government, Brisbane City Council, the Local Government Association of Queensland, and is the director of her own management consultancy. She has extensive executive and operational experience and a clear understanding of how government and its policies and processes work. Peta is a strong advocate for the Bundaberg and Wide Bay Burnett region. She is actively involved with community, commercial and government bodies such as the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils on local and regional projects and initiatives. She is also Chair of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Board and member of its Finance Committee, Executive Committee, Audit and Risk Committee and Safety and Quality Committee.

Member of the People, Performance and Culture Committee

First appointed October 2015
Current term 1 October 2023 – 30 September 2025

Melody Ingra

BA (Education)

Melody is a proud Gooreng Gooreng / Wakka Wakka woman from Yallarm (Gladstone). An experienced Teacher and Company Director with over 25 years practical experience across various industries, government sectors and NGO’s. Melody is currently the National Cultural Liaison for Goodstart Early Learning and Chairperson of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service. She has work in the education sector for over 25 years as a Teacher, Educator, Principal Project Officer and Indigenous Educator Advisor. She was an inaugural Coach for the Indigenous Women in Leadership program and has delivered Aboriginal Cultural Awareness to over 1000 people across the nation. Melody is actively involved in First Nations community’s across Queensland, with strong connection to Gladstone being born and raised there as a Traditional Custodian, with family ties to the region.

Member of the People, Performance and Culture Committee

First appointed October 2022
Current term 13 October 2022 to 30 September 2025

Annette Woods

BA (Engineering – Civil)

Annette is a senior executive leader with an extensive career in project delivery and business transformation 
within industries spanning across shipping ports, rail, logistics, mining and technology, in both government and private sectors. As a previous Executive General Manager of both Sydney Ports Corporation and Newcastle Port Corporation, Annette brings experience including overseeing development of Port Botany’s third container terminal and master planning for expansion of the Port of Newcastle. In 2011 Annette successfully led port and rail capacity growth for a multinational mining and resources company, across the ports of Abbott Point, Hay Point and Gladstone, Queensland. Her previous governance roles include membership of a global company’s mining and metal capital investment committee, overseeing investment decisions and delivery for major projects in Australia, South America and Canada. Annette has held both Head and Vice President roles in strategy, business transformation and project management. She has led global value driven cost reduction, productivity and cultural change programs. Annette is a regular mentor with the Queensland Resources Council’s Women in Mining & Resources mentoring program and holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) from the University of Adelaide.

First appointed October 2023
Current term 1 October 2023 – 30 September 2026

Deirdre Swan

BA (Arts –  Major Economics)
BA (Laws)

Deirdre has led an extensive career spanning over 45 years in the area of industrial relations in both Queensland and at a national level. Deirdre holds the degrees of a Bachelor of Arts (major Economics) and a Bachelor of Laws from Queensland University. In 1990, Deirdre was admitted as a Barrister in the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Deirdre is recognised as the first female organiser in the Australian Workers Union who then went on to become an elected National Vice President of the Union. Deirdre was appointed to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission in 1990 as a Commissioner and later was appointed Deputy President of the Commission. Also during this period, Deirdre was appointed to the position of a Deputy President of Fair Work Australia. Both positions were held simultaneously. After retirement from these positions, Deirdre was appointed as an Acting Magistrate in the Queensland Magistrates Court. Deirdre was often a guest lecturer at three major Brisbane Universities and other bodies on industrial relations matters. During 2022, Deirdre, together with two other industrial relations specialists undertook the review of the current Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Act. Deirdre has often provided mentorship to women in leadership roles. She is also a member of the Australian Association of Women Judges.

First appointed October 2023
Current term 1 October 2023 – 30 September 2026,