Tocal Director appointed to Hunter RDA Committee

Director-General of Industry & Investment NSW, Dr Richard Sheldrake, today congratulated Dr Cameron Archer, Director of Tocal Agricultural Centre and Principal of Tocal College, on his appointment to the board of Regional Development Australia (RDA) - Hunter.

Dr Archer has been Principal of Tocal College since 1987, and has spent his full career working within the rural sector and in association with rural and regional industries.

"Cameron has a long record in working with local community and businesses for the economic development of the area, and I congratulate him on his prestigious position with RDA - Hunter," Dr Sheldrake said.

"In his role as board member of RDA - Hunter, Dr Archer will be charged with the task of helping create jobs and prosperity in the Hunter, consulting with the community and working with business and industry."

Dr Sheldrake said the new RDA committee replaces the former State funded Regional Development Board and federally funded Area Consultative Committee, and will be the first point of contact for regional communities across all levels of government, promoting regional initiatives and partnerships.

There are 14 RDA committees in NSW.

"Cameron brings with him a wide range of experiences associated with government, business and education to the board, and has spent the past two years as board member of Hunter Economic Development Corporation (HEDC)," he said.

"As Principal of Tocal College, Camerons professional responsibilities with Industry & Investment NSW are state-wide, overseeing staff located at Tamworth, Armidale, Camden, Gosford, Wagga and Trangie and responsibility for around 15 staff at the Murrumbidgee Rural Studies Centre, the southern campus of Tocal College.

"In his role as Director of Tocal Agricultural Centre he oversees Tocal Field Days, tourism at Tocal Homestead and many events on the campus, which attract in total around 40,000 visitors per annum.

"Cameron will be an excellent asset for RDA - Hunter, and I wish him every success for the future."

The committees will be supported by Industry & Investment NSW and the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.