Committees of Management

Crown Land reserves throughout Victoria have historically been managed by Committees of Management (COM). This system of administration has evolved to include community groups, councils and statutory bodies. Importantly, members of the public have been involved in the management of Crown land reserves for over 150 years. Today, all committees appointed under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 manage their reserve on behalf of the Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Appointment to the Walhalla Board of Management Incorporated is through an Expression of Interest Process (EIP). The EIP is advertised in the local press and the Board members are appointed for three years. Previous members of the Board go through the same EIP as new applicants.

The Committee of Management is the legal manager of the Reserve. The Committee’s responsibilities are to:

Manage, improve, maintain and control the land for the purposes for which it is reserved.
Exercise all such powers, functions and authorities and carry out all such duties as are conferred or imposed on it by any regulations.
Carry out works and improvements on the land.
Take all reasonable steps and care to protect the public.

The DSE does not fund the activities of the Board. The Board’s income comes from mine tours, property rentals and accommodation fees.

The Walhalla Board of Management Incorporated manages the following four Crown Land Reserves in Walhalla.

Crown Reserve	Crown Allotment	Approx Area
Old Walhalla Post Office	22 & 23	<1 Hectare
Long Tunnel Extended Mine	112, 112B, 113 & 162	8.5 Hectares
Mechanics Institute	Mechanics Institute and Free library	<1 Hectare
Chinese Gardens	2001, 2002	9.4 Hectares

Some of the Crown Reserves are protected under the Heritage Act and other regulations as detailed in the following table:

Crown Reserve	Crown Allotment	Planning Scheme Overlay	Heritage Victoria		National Estate
Crown Reserve	Crown Allotment	Planning Scheme Overlay	Status	VHR	Status	Place ID
Old Walhalla Post Office	22 & 23	SUZ1	Heritage Place	H0583	Registered	4814
Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine	112, 112B, 113 & 162	SUZ1	Heritage Inventory Site		Registered	4821
Mechanics Institute	Mechanics Institute and Free library	SUZ1	-	-	-	-
Chinese Gardens	2001, 2002	PCRZ	Heritage Inventory Site	H8122-0088	-	-

SUZ1 – Special Use Zone 1, a Planning Scheme dedicated to Walhalla.
PCRZ – Public Conversation and Resource Zone.

Board of Management

The Board members are all volunteers and bring a wide range of skills, experience and abilities in the management and development of the Reserves.

	David Balfour – Chairman David is a former Mayor of the Baw Baw Shire and dairy farmer. David has been a long-time councillor for the North Ward of Baw Baw Shire. Under agreement with the DSE, the Baw Baw Shire has nominated David to be their representative on the Board for many years. David's father Jim is a former Mayor of Narracan, that annexed the original Walhalla Council in 1918. Jim Balfour went on to serve in state parliament, becoming a Minister under Henry Bolte. David lives on his diary farm near Willow Grove with his wife Sue.
	Geoff Anderson – Vice Chairman & Mine Manager Geoff is a professional civil and mining engineer. Geoff’s expertise and experience has taken him around the world and today he still travels to areas around Asia, India and China providing his engineering consulting services. Geoff spent time working at Kalgoorlie for a gold mining company, coincidently around the same time as another Board member, John Buchecker. Today, Geoff and David Balfour are members of the Management Committee responsible for the Crown Land on which the Walhalla Goldfield Railways operates. Geoff joined the Board in 2012 and lives in Warragul.
	Graham Goulding – Secretary Graham is a retired School Teacher who spent part of his teaching career in Taizhou, China. Graham has a long fascination with the history of the Latrobe Valley and has been a long time member of Moe and District Historical Society. Graham has written a number of information booklets including most recently a history of Walhalla Post Office and has devoted thousands of hours volunteering in support of many community based endeavours. Graham lives in Westbury with his wife Dianne. Graham joined the Board in 2009.
	Graeme McCoubrie – Treasurer Graeme is a full-time Project Construction Manager currently working in the public housing sector. Graeme has been involved in many historic building projects, such as the redevelopment of the historic Kew Court House & Police Station as a Performing Arts complex. Graeme has led many hikes and camps for Venturers throughout the Walhalla area. He also has a keen interest in amateur theatre and has been involved in numerous productions in a variety of capabilities. Graeme is the current a Chair of Eisteddfod in Boroondara an annual festival that brings together literature, music and performance. Graeme lives in Melbourne and joined the Board in 2009.
	Kath Taylor – Assistant Treasurer Kath spent much of her career as a Policewoman, then raising four children before embarking on building a successful hospitality business. Today, Kath owns and operates a number of B&B and accommodation ventures throughout Walhalla, with the centrepiece being the iconic Windsor House, Walhalla’s only brick building. Kath is also involved in the management of a family owned earthmoving business that operates throughout Gippsland. Kath lives in Walhalla and Inverloch. Kath joined the Board in 2009.
	Bob McKee Bob runs a metals consulting business part time and is otherwise semi-retired. Bob was the National Sales Manager with Australia’s largest copper and copper alloy manufacturing and distribution company. Bob spent 30 years at the company, originally starting as an office boy. Bob’s partner is a Gippsland lass and they relocated from Richmond in Melbourne to Moe in 1990. Bob is also known as a cricket umpire in the Latrobe Valley and has been volunteer tour guide at the Old Walhalla Post Office. Bob lives in Moe South. Bob joined the Board in 2012.
	Andrew Webster Andrew is a IT Infrastructure Architect & Project Manager. Andrew has spent a large part of his career working in large-scale IT environments throughout Australia, Japan and Singapore. Andrew first came to Walhalla whilst camping with his father as a young child. In 1995, Andrew purchased the old Eilliot Bakery in Walhalla and he and his family have used it as a residence and weekender ever since then. Andrew is also involved with Lord Somers Camp & Powerhouse a youth leadership organisation that runs camps for able-bodied and disabled children. Andrew joined the Board in 2009.
	John Buchecker John is a professional painter specialising in heritage buildings. John has been involved in the restoration of many buildings, around Victoria and South Australia. John grew up in Moe and has long association with Walhalla. He is a member of Walhalla Heritage & Development League. John joined the Board is 2009 and lives in Moe.

The Board meets regularly and in cooperation with Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE)is chartered to deliver the best possible outcomes for the Crown Reserves and the Walhalla township as a whole.

Further information on the Board, its strategies, processes, policies and procedures are listed here: