meet the board

Amanda Byrom - chairperso

I am delighted to contribute to the Bathurst Wholefood Co-op as a part of the board of directors. Having spent over a decade volunteering with environmental, First Nations, and children's rights community groups across Australia, my journey has come full circle as I return to my roots in Bathurst. In my professional life, I work as an art therapist and counsellor, with an emphasis on sustainability and secure community development. These experiences have deeply ingrained in me the values of collaboration and innovation. At the Bathurst Wholefood Co-op, I am committed to ensuring that our community thrives through initiatives that prioritise health, well-being, and environmental stewardship. By focusing on sustainable practices and fostering a sense of communal harmony, I aim to help create a safe and nurturing environment for all of our members, staff and volunteers. 

John Monty

I retired and moved from Sydney to Rockley in 2016 and am currently restoring the old presbytery of St Patrick’s Catholic Church.
I trained as a horticulturalist and started teaching horticulture at the Ryde School of Horticulture in the 1990’s.
I was the Faculty Manager, Environment and Horticulture, for the Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE for 10 years. In this role I was responsible for educational delivery and managing the budget across a wide range of disciplines.
I am currently involved in a number of activities including the Rockley Artisan’s Market, Rockley Gardens and Art Festival and the Rockley and District Community Association.

Olga McKinnon - Treasurer
I joined the Co-op during the Covid period as a supplier and volunteer and continue in this role. In addition, for the past three years I have been Secretary of the Co-op Board and have now moved on to the role of Treasurer. During this time I have come to appreciate the enormous benefit of the sense of community that the Co-op fosters. It provides this community with all those wonderful benefits of fresh, organic and local produce as well as a sense of belonging. Along with the staff, volunteers and fellow Board members, my goal is to maintain the financial health of the Co-op so that we are around for a long time, thus ensuring that your lifestyle choice of supporting a local, sustainably sourced food outlet can continue. My background as an educator has taught me that learning is a lifelong experience and the Co-op has had much to offer. Each Board member comes to the job with varying skills and life experiences but in the end it’s the willingness to learn and have a go that is particularly important. 

Anthony Nocka

I moved to the village of Rydal in 2020 where my partner, Lis and I bought a property with a view to a simpler, more sustainable life. We joined the Co-op in Bathurst as we were up for the challenge of shopping and consuming in a more ethical manner. We commenced volunteering as it afforded the opportunity to meet people in the region who share similar values. Following our long careers in the field of social work, we’ve enjoyed the experience of working in the retail space and connecting with those that value this important local community resource. With our new secetary having to resign due to new work commitments I volunteered for the position & in February 2025 became the secretary.

Amanda Perrin

 I have been a volunteer and ongoing customer of the co-op family for a number of years. I love the experience of shopping at the co-op, buying local organic food and the connections I make through meaningful chats with volunteers and staff. It's incredible to be part of a team who are passionate about food and environmental sustainability!  I have experience in not for profit organisations and will bring passion, motivation and resourceful energy to the team. 

 Alan Smith

 I came to Bathurst in 2021, with Janelle, after living on the coast at Rathmines, 40km south of Newcastle on Lake Macquarie, for almost 40 years.  As it turns out, we  wish we had come here many years before. With Janelle, I co-owned Rathmines Pharmacy for 29 years & Wangi Pharmacy for 10 years. In 2014 I was unable to continue working due to severe burnout, so we sold up & retired.  My attraction to the Co-op was being able to buy fresh coffee beans &  produce without packaging. What I bring to the Co-op is my experience as a successful retailer of over 40 years. When our secretary resigned in February 2025 due to increased work commitments I volunterred to be the Minutes secretary.

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