The board of V/Line Corporation reports to the Minister for Public Transport and the Treasurer.
The board adopts established protocols and procedures to ensure that corporate governance is maintained at the highest levels, and the strategic direction and overall performance of V/Line's business can be developed and monitored in a diligent manner.
Board composition
Jennifer Dawson – Chair
Appointed 1 July 2015.
Jenny joined V/Line after 13 years working for the Victorian and Federal governments on regional development committees. She was the inaugural Chair of the Regional Development Australia committee for the Loddon Mallee region since it was formed in October 2009 by the Federal and State governments. Her role was complemented by her membership on the Victorian Government’s Regional Policy Advisory Committee until 2014.
Jenny is an experienced Non-Executive Director, who recently retired after 15 years as a Director of the ASX listed Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd. She currently also Chair Sandhurst Trustees Ltd and Adelaide Managed Funds (subsidiaries of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd) and the Bendigo Art Gallery Foundation.
Prior to her appointment as a company director, Jenny worked for 10 years at international accounting firm Arthur Andersen in the Audit and Risk Management division.
Jenny holds a Bachelor of Accounting degree. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Craig Cook – Deputy Chair
Appointed 1 July 2015.
Craig currently is Chair of the Port of Hastings Development Authority and holds the position of director of VicSuper and VicSuper Ecosystem Services. He has expertise in governance and risk management and expertise in regional development issues.
Craig has 15 years of experience in both government and publicly-listed boards including the boards of Goulburn-Murray Water, Rural Finance Corporation and VicSuper. He holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from Monash University.
Gabrielle Bell – Director
Appointed 1 July 2015.
Gabrielle is a corporate lawyer with broad experience working in Australia and South East Asia. She is an experienced non-executive Director and is also currently serving on the boards of South East Water and InLife Independent Living Ltd.
Gabrielle specialises in general corporate advisory, including corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions and capital markets. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Kay Macaulay – Director
Appointed 1 July 2015.
Kay worked for the Australian Industry Group for 28 years in various roles including Regional Manager. She was responsible for working with local businesses, educational institutions and government to ensure a collaborative approach to the delivery of projects.
Kay has extensive experience in community and stakeholder engagement and has developed strong networks with many organisations. Kay is a former member of the Central Highlands Area Consultative Committee and the University of Ballarat (Federation University) Council. She also sat on the inaugural Grampians Regional Development Australia committee. She has been a member of Rotary International through the Rotary Club of Wendouree Breakfast for 16 years.
John Donovan – Director
Appointed 1 July 2015.
John is the Managing Director of AFM Investment Partners, a member of Trustee Australia’s managed funds compliance committee and a responsible manager of an Australian Financial Services Licence.
John is a former director of Gippsland Water and Adminpartners. He is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Senior Fellow of Finsia, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, a Certified Practicing Marketer and Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute and an associate member of the Australasian Investor Relations Association. He holds a Master of Public Relations.
Rachel Thomson – Director
Appointed 1 July 2017.
Rachel has more than 20 years experience working in Australia and internationally in senior roles in risk management and insurance.
Rachel is currently a Non Executive Director of Central Highlands Water and her previous executive roles involved analysis of business strategy, financial performance, corporate governance processes and risk management of corporations in Australia and the United States.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Melbourne and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.