The Board
Peter Lawley OAM
President
Central Coast NSW Legacy
Peter Lawley OAM has been the CEO of Central Coast NSW Legacy since 2010 based in Gosford.
Central Coast NSW Legacy provides affordable housing and provides welfare support to over 900 beneficiaries on the Central Coast and support the families of veterans.
Pete’s past roles have included Chief Executive of Legacy Australia, CEO and Operations Manager of not-for-profit Aged Care and Retirement Village Operators, as well as Director of Corporate Services and Finance in NSW public hospitals and health services. Pete is also a current Director of Alino Living, a large not-for profit aged care provider on the Central Coast.
Pete has over 30 years senior management experience in Health and Aged Care Services, with qualifications in accounting and health management. Pete is a lifelong local of Gosford, has a passion for the region and as someone who had commuted for many years, understands the need for business opportunities to increase local employment as a priority. Having lived through over 50 years of changes in Gosford, Pete is committed to assist in progressing improvements to Gosford and surrounding suburbs, as well as the entire Central Coast region through local business networks.
Pete is current President of the Gosford Erina Business Chamber, has been on the Board for two years and a member for 12 years.
Anna Cruckshank
Vice President
Aubrey Brown Lawyers
Anna is the Managing Director of Aubrey Brown Lawyers. During her final year at high school on the Central Coast, she was sent to the firm for a mock interview with Principal at the time, Rod Wicks, who is a Director of the firm today and heads our Estate Planning team. Having never considered a future in law (she had her mind set on becoming an archaeologist), Anna was surprised to receive a call from Rod with an offer to join the firm as a law clerk with a scholarship to study law. She hasn't looked back since.
Accelerated through her studies, Anna was admitted as a lawyer in 1994 at the age of just 22. She gained experience in a broad range of legal areas for her own client base and discovered a passion for Commercial Law.
She became the youngest ever partner of the firm in 2001 and was unanimously elected to take on the role of Managing Director in 2011. As a Commercial Lawyer, Anna delivers effective, personalised advice and is highly skilled at meeting the demanding timeframes commonly required to achieve her clients' outcomes. She works closely with clients from a range of industries, including pharmaceutical, medical, registered clubs, construction, childcare, hospitality and wineries/vineyards.
Ralf Dahmen
Vice President
Somersby Animal Hospital
Ralf has lived on the Central Coast for over 30 years. He is a former executive that has led Australian subsidiaries of large global corporations with success through periods of refinement to achieve improved performance. He is an Honorary Life Member of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association of which he was President and a Board Member for many years.
Ralf understands the principles of effective business management and the benefits of collaborative teamwork.
He added to this background when he co-founded the Somersby Animal Hospital; a purpose built, state of the art, mixed practice veterinary hospital catering to a wide range of animals and the needs of local wildlife parks. It is his local experience which has given particular insights into challenges faced when setting up and running a commercial operation on the Central Coast.
The Central Coast boasts good reasons to be a priority business destination, with a lifestyle blend that can support both business and families. The GEBC Board, on behalf of the Central Coast business community, is in a position to engage stakeholders, form a view and shape discussions by adding perspectives on behalf of its members. It does so by ensuring that GEBC has a seat at the table of every relevant conversation.
David Evers
Treasurer
AdviceCo
David Evers is the Managing Director of AdviceCo (formerly Robson Partners) and leads a team of 28 staff in the areas of Accounting, Tax and Wealth for 2,000 clients.
With more than 30 years of professional experience, he has come to be trusted by many for his technical advice and pragmatic approach. David is passionate about using his knowledge to make a positive difference to the financial wellbeing of others.
AdviceCo is a gold sponsor of the Gosford Erina Coastal Chamber of Commerce and David is the current Treasurer. AdviceCo is strong advocate for business growth in the Central Coast region and has its head office in Gosford.
Edgar Adams
Director
Adams Business Publications P/L
Edgar Adams is the Editor and Publisher of Central Coast Business Review (CCBR) magazine which he founded almost 28 years ago. CCBR covers the whole Central Coast and as Editor he has an extensive and in depth knowledge of the business community's needs and issues affecting them.
An accountant, he moved to Gosford with his family some 45 years ago and worked with two major Gosford businesses before establishing his own financial management practice and then CCBR.
Edgar believes that Gosford, having been designated the Regional City of the Central Coast has an exciting future and must have a strong, forward thinking Chamber of Commerce supporting business and taking members' concerns to government.
Darren Fischer
Director
Oddfish Media
Darren is the Director and General Manager of Oddfish Media, a company he established in 2005. Over the years, Oddfish Media has expanded its operations and now has offices in Sydney, Newcastle, and a central headquarters on the Central Coast. With a thorough understanding of the challenges that arise from our rapidly changing society and the constantly shifting marketing landscape, the company has the necessary expertise and resources to successfully navigate these dynamic environments with skill and adaptability.
"The Central Coast presents an exceptional environment for residential living and raising a family, showcasing a multitude of commendable qualities. As a Chamber member, it is of utmost importance that we consistently bolster our commitment to fostering a thriving business ecosystem. By ardently highlighting and effectively communicating our region's strengths as a prominent employment hub, we aim to leave a lasting impression on the Government and stakeholders alike."
Michael Bell
Director
Bendigo Bank
Michael has worked in and around the City of Gosford for over 35 years with a career that has spanned finance, real estate and hospitality. Michael has previously held board positions with the East Gosford Business Chamber. Currently Michael is the Franchise Group CEO of Bendigo Bank Community Banks - East Gosford, Lisarow & Kincumber, where he has worked with local business owners for the past 20 years.
Michael is also a current Director and Life Member of Central Coast Leagues Club and holds GAICD qualification from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Michael is looking forward to working with all stakeholders and contributing to getting business back to the Gosford CBD along with the greater Central Coast region.
Mel Archer
Director
The Foundry Cowork
Mel started her first business, Netspin Creative, at the age of 24 whilst living in Sydney. To this day it is a successful design and marketing agency with clients in the financial services, pharmaceutical and health industries.
After moving to the Central Coast and working from home for over 10 years, Mel found the lack of human interaction affected her mental health. She identified a gap in the market on the Coast for affordable shared office space for workers wanting to escape the isolation of the home office and become part of a community. The Foundry Cowork Erina was born in 2018 and the business has since grown to a second location in Gosford with more locations to come.
Mel loves building community by connecting and collaborating with people. She is extremely passionate about the development of Gosford CBD and its future potential as a thriving coastal hub.
Peggoty Koszek
Associate Director
Fortunity
Peggoty Koszek is an Associate Director of Central Coast Based Accounting, Audit and Financial Planning Firm Fortunity.
Fortunity are focused on providing positive outcomes tailored for small to medium sized businesses. They provide ethical and experienced advice to support their wide client base across many industries. Fortunity’s size allows them to match the client’s financial needs with a professional to best support their journey.
Peggoty has worked in taxation and business advisory services since graduating from University of Newcastle in 2007. Her career at Fortunity commenced shortly after in 2008, helping businesses meet their taxation and compliance requirements. Peggoty’s experience spans across many industries including construction, hospitality, medical & disability, real estate and investment operations.
Peggoty has developed a specialty to assist businesses implement and manage cloud-based accounting systems as well as assist with the ongoing management and development of financial internal controls. Peggoty has experience in Virtual CFO services to help support small to medium sized businesses with the growth and development of their internal financial expertise.
Previously Peggoty has sat on boards of local Not-for-Profit Organisations in the position of Treasurer to help guide and facilitate the implementation of financial polices to assist with risk management and minimisation.
Growing up in the heart of Gosford and staying there for almost 30 years, has given her a unique opportunity to witness the growth and development of the Gosford and Erina business district over the decades. She is passionate about ensuring the district continues to invest into the growth and development of local business through its business network.
She is proud Central Coast Mariners Supporter, attending games whenever she gets the chance to cheer the team along.
Mia Van Tubbergh
Sales Optimisation Leader
Elm Professional Services
After realising that Criminal Psychology wasn’t for me, I decided that Sales seemed like the natural career choice for me, so at the ripe age of 20 I started my new career. By the age of 27 I was training over 3000 sales reps in the second largest food company in South Africa and by 29 I was appointed as Sales Director, responsible for over 5000 staff and US $400m.
After my son was born, my husband and I moved to Australia where I swore I would get that “work life balance” I had read all about. 14 years later I am still in sales but own a consultancy firm (we work with food brands supporting them in all aspects of retail) with my business partner Dr Pete Marzec and we are currently in the process of launching a new pet product on to the market. Watch this space!
Qualified Staff and Consultants
To learn more about our qualified staff, contact our team by calling 02 4323 1735 or emailing us at info@gebc.com.au.
