BOARD MEMBERS
Steven Dowden
Chairman
Steven attended school in Mackay before heading to Brisbane for University. After 7 years in the Finance Industry, Steven returned home to Mackay in 1995 and joined in the family business as Financial Controller. In 2005, Steve took over the General Management of the business. He joined the Board in 2009 and took over as Chairman at the 2016 AGM.
Stevens love of footy began when he playing in Mackay as a junior which eventually saw him play in Brisbane and France. Upon his return to Mackay, Steve played locally for 3 years including in the inaugural QLD Cup competition in 1996. He also coached locally at both Junior and Senior levels; he even won Coach of the Year.
“I love footy and am passionate about opening up opportunities for our local boys and girls to experiences all that is great about the game, on and off the field, and what it can offer them in life!”
Michael Luck
Experienced sports administration professional with over 15 years’ experience in the National Rugby League as a player andadministrator. Educated in Australia and New Zealand with a strong focus on top line strategic management and governance.
Currently the Chief Operating Officer for the North Queensland Cowboys, which is a support role for the Chief Executive.
Responsibilities consists of overseeing day to day activity of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys to ensure the effective, efficientoperation which enables the CEO to focus on the strategic growth of the Club.
As part of the Cowboys Executive, I’ve had the opportunityto be involved from end to end in major strategic projects such as the North Queensland Stadium Development, NRL Cowboys House, thesoon to be opened Cowboys Community Training and High Performance Centre and the NRL’s 2018 Pathways Reformation.
Melissa Sorensen
Melissa Sorensen is Chartered Accountant and holds an MBA. She is the Commercial Manager of the Australian Operations of Hastings Deering and has been with the company for 16 Years gaining valuable experience in all aspects of finance including mergers and acquisitions. Although the position looks after all branches in QLD and NT, Melissa is fortunate enough to be able to base the role out of her hometown Mackay.
Melissa’s financial acumen and commercial knowledge combined with her love of sport motivates her to be able to contribute to sports administration and holds board member roles at the Cutters and the Mackay Hockey Association. Melissa continues to play hockey and coaches at a local, regional and state level.
Amanda Camm
Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm is serving her first term in Queensland Parliament after claiming the seat in October 2020. She has served as a Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Mackay and has held Executive Leadership roles across Local Government and the Not for Profit Sector including Regional Economic and Social Development.
Amanda is a long-time local who is passionate about our local community and ensuring there are opportunities for participation and pathways for our next generation of sportsman and women
Seini Willett
Seini is a Manbarra, Torres Strait Islander, an Australian South Sea Islander with ties to Tanna Island of Vanuatu and connections to the Fiji Islands. She has over 20 years experience in the Education department. Currently, Seini is with the Central Queensland Region, State Schooling, Department of Education, as the Indigenous Pathways and Partnerships Officer.
Seini is very active and passionate in supporting her Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community in whatever capacity needed. She also acknowledges the importance of walking together with the broader community, building their Cross-Cultural Awareness with local Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander perspectives.
Frank Attard
Frank is the managing director of the Key Solutions Group in Mackay. is a local cane farmers son, who played footy for the Wests Tigers and attended high school at Mirani High. After finishing high school, he got a Diploma in Applied Science.
Frank was working at Mackay Sugar for 8 years before he got a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering. After his study, Frank worked at DBT Australia, and studied a Masters in Business Administration. In 2007, he went on to start Key Solutions Group, and still operates it with approx. 100 staff members.
Sean Kelly
Sean Kelly is a Director of Kelly Legal and the Property Law Centre, with offices in Mackay and Brisbane. He heads the Commercial and Property Department and has extensive experience in a range of business areas.
Sean has been involved in Rugby League essentially since he was born. He has served at many levels of the game and as a younger man represented Mackay and North Queensland in a long rugby league career.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and Masters degrees in Business Administration and Taxation Law. He has been a solicitor of the
Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia since 1986.
Chris Wright
Chris became partner of Brown and Bird accounting in 1999. He is also a registered company auditor and has over 30 years’ experience in public accounting. He head an agri-business team providing performance measurement indicators to farmers in Central Queensland. Through his public practice role and his board roles, he has had extensive experience in both for-profit and not-for-profit companies.
Chris also has a high level of community involvement and service and look forward to continuing this involvement in the future. ” I enjoy the community and service involvement especially in organisations that I believe to be vital to Mackay and District.”
He has also been a past committee member of several sporting and community organisations including Port of Mackay Rotary Club. He has a high level of community involvement and service and looks forward to continuing this involvement in the future.
Heath Galletly
I am a Mackay local who grew up west of Mirani playing Rugby League for Wests Tigers from U9 to A grade. I married and except for a brief stint interstate for work I settled down in Mackay where all 3 boys played rugby league for Wanderers Juniors and now as they are progressing moving into Brothers Seniors. I have been a volunteer in most roles in community rugby league and am currently Chairperson of the Board of Rugby League Mackay and District which runs community Rugby League in Mackay.
I am passionate about seeing rugby league being the sport of choice for all where you want to be the next Queenslander or just play to catch up with mates and have some fun.