Mrs Whale holds a Master of Sustainable Management and extensive other training including negotiation and conflict management skills. 

"She put these to good use throughout the consultations on the forming of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan as assistant director in the Northern Basin Program and Stakeholder Engagement with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and assistant director Northern Basin Program for the Murray Darling Commission,'' chief executive Felicity Taylor-Edwards said.

"Kim has a lifetime residency of the Dubbo and Wellington district and has extensive experience in strategic planning, implementation, financial management, project management, community development. 

She is currently the Local Land Expert representative on the Cobbora Holdings Company (CHC) and has been on National Rural Financial Counselling Service, National Landcare Review Reference Group, State Catchment Coordinating Committee, Central West Catchment Management Board, and NHT Regional Assessment Panel.

"RDA Orana is a not-for-profit organisation led by a committee, comprising business, community and local government representatives, who are all appointed by the Australian government and NSW state cabinet," Ms Taylor-Edwards said.

"Our chair John Walkom, deputy chair Matthew Fuller and I would like to extend a warm welcome to the new committee members, and we look forward to working with them to encourage economic development across the Orana region." 

RDA Orana is congratulating the newly-appointed committee members: John Walkom, chair (Dubbo), Matthew Fuller, deputy chair (Dubbo), Belinda Colless (Brewarrina), Peter Yench (Cobar), Ian Stanford (Wongarbon), Professor Jeannie Herbert (Dubbo), Kim Whale (Gollan), Bill Burnheim (Coonamble), Tracey McIntyre (Narromine), Peter Debus (Dubbo), Brad Cam (Mudgee), Ann-marie Furney (Dubbo). "Our new committee consists of regional leaders across a variety of industries, and each member will bring with them valuable experience, knowledge and business relationships. I am anticipating that the strengths of our new Committee will allow RDA Orana to continue creating successful projects that encourage economic development," said Chair John.