FRRR Staff

Ms Alexandra Gartmann – CEO

Alexandra is passionate about rural communities and creating opportunities for each community to prosper. Having lived in small communities in NSW, WA and Victoria, she is familiar with the challenges and opportunities. Prior to joining FRRR in April 2011, Alexandra was CEO of the Birchip Cropping Group, a community organisation focused on improving the production and social outcomes for rural farming communities.

Alexandra is Chair of the CSIRO Sustainable Agriculture Flagship Advisory Council, a member of the Australian Landcare Council, a Board member of Rural Finance, Deputy Chair of the Women in Primary Industries Advisory Panel and the community representative on the Victorian Flood Disaster Appeal Panel.

In 2005 Alexandra was Equity Trustees Not For Profit CEO of the Year for Significant Innovation and in 2008 a Telstra Business Women's Award Finalist. Previous experience includes Local Government in WA, Murray Darling Basin Commission, Greening Australia and consulting on an AusAID project in northwest China.

Mrs Jeanice Henderson - Program Manager: Education, Ageing, and Culture, Arts and Community Heritage 

Jeanice has been with FRRR since February 2010, overseeing the various grant programs focused on small communities. Prior to that, she worked in Local Government for nine years in Heritage Planning and Community & Cultural Development. Jeanice is a past judge for the Loddon Powercor Business and Tourism Awards and the Goldfields Tourism Awards. She has also been involved in various community committees and curated a touring local history exhibition. Jeanice thoroughly enjoys motorcycle touring throughout rural and regional Australia whenever she can. 

Ms Raylene Hansen – Program Manager: Qld/NSW Natural Disaster Recovery

Raylene has long been an enthusiastic supporter of rural and regional community development, having grown up in a small community and having lived and worked in rural and regional communities for most of her life. Raylene commenced working for FRRR in March 2012 after spending the previous 15+ years working in various Queensland Government rural community development roles, mainly in Central Queensland. Previous experience includes research on an innovation in rural communities study and Blueprint for the Bush project. This work has enabled her to build strong and productive relationships and networks across the different sectors of community, business and industry, and the three levels of government. Raylene is based from Brisbane, Queensland.

Current Recruitment – Program Manager

A program manager is currently being recruited to manage the Small Grants Program, Corporate Partnerships and Victorian Natural Disaster Recovery.

Miss Leeanne Dell - Executive Assistant

Leeanne joined FRRR in September 2008 as Executive Assistant to the CEO.  With over 30 years’ experience as a Private Secretary and Executive Assistant in medical, legal, banking, private and not for profit sector she is a wealth of information on policies and procedures and also incorporates marketing and risk management into her role with FRRR.

Ms Sylvia Perez – Administration Officer

Sylvia joined the FRRR team in August 2011 as Administration Officer.  Sylvia is originally from Darwin in the Northern Territory and has over ten years of Administrative experience.  Sylvia has previously worked in the Mining and Recruitment Industries and has a strong Customer Service background.  Sylvia enjoys supporting Australia’s rural and remote communities as the first port of call at FRRR.

Ms Hannah Jakab - STEPS Project Coordinator

Hannah commenced with FRRR in June 2010 as a grants assistant for the Repair Restore Renew natural disaster recovery program. Hannah’s current role is to coordinate STEPS (Skills, Training, Engagement & Practical Support), a bushfire recovery program developed in response to the incidence of significant volunteer fatigue. Hannah is completing a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor of Human Services at Latrobe University, Bendigo.  Born and raised in the dairy farming area of Cohuna Hannah has a broad understanding of rural issues and challenges.

Ms Lisa Mahon – Grants Assessment Officer

Lisa joined FRRR in 2009 as a Grants Assessment Officer. Outside of FRRR, Lisa sits on the Women in Primary Industries Advisory Panel, the Victorian Organic Industry Committee and is active locally with the SES and the Dunolly Preschool Community Garden. She is inspired by all the amazing things people do in their communities and loves working to help make that happen.

Mr Andrew Long - Company Secretary

Andrew joined FRRR in 2003. Andrew has over 25 years’ experience, primarily in the accounting, banking, trustee, nor for profit and finance sectors, in senior management roles including Company Secretary for Bendigo Bank Group.

As Company Secretary he is responsible for convening Directors’ meetings, preparing agendas & coordination of supporting documentation, recording minutes of such meetings and advising Directors on legislation and other developments affecting their responsibilities.

Through past personal experience, Andrew has had involvement in a wide range of initiatives including the development and management of philanthropic trusts and foundations. Andrew’s passion is to work with organisations such as FRRR who make a difference and to encourage others to support these causes with the outcomes of building stronger Australian communities.