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QHC Board of Directors
The Board of Directors - Who We Are
Debbie Dekker
Debbie has been involved in the horse world for more than 45yrs, getting her first pony when she was only 4 years old. She grew up through the ranks of Pony Club competing in sporting, showjumping and dressage and successfully representing Pony Club at State level in all those fields. She started the foundation of her Stud when she was only 17 and has been breeding Andalusian horses ever since. She has been heavily involved in showing in hand and performance, both under saddle and more recently harness. She has competed successfully in EFA Dressage at State and National Championships to Intermediate II. At 18 Debbie became an Andalusian Horse Association Australia (AHAA) committee member at the foundation meeting of the QLD Branch and has been actively involved ever since serving as President of the Qld Branch for 12yrs, Federal Delegate for 7yrs and 1 term as President of the Federal Council. She is a regular Judge and Steward at any show or discipline which needs help and has organised breed shows for State and National Championships. She has run the Andalusian stand at the Horse Breeds Expo at Brisbane Royal Show for more than 12yrs. Debbie was employed by the DPI&F during the EI crisis as a Field Officer and in 2008 she did the DPI&F Building Rural Leaders Course. Debbie has a strong sense of “giving back” to the horse community and a long history of volunteer work.
Warren Gardiner
Warren is a practicing Solicitor & Notary Public, a Real Estate Agent and Auctioneer. He was a foundation trustee of the QHC and served for 2 years as the QHC's representative on the DPI&F Animal Liaison Committee. Warren has been awarded Life Membership of the North Coast Active Riders Group Inc. and the Sippy Down Animal Refuge Society. He is a Past President of the Arabian Horse Association Qld and is a member and honorary solicitor of the Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show Society. His equine interests include trail riding, dressage as well as breeding, the ASHS, APBA and Bradford Cattle Society.
Linda Nielsen
Linda first joined the Queensland Horse Council three years ago as an individual member believing in the benefits of membership and having a desire to contribute to Queensland's horse community. During the EI outbreak Linda accepted the role of Corporate Advisor. Growing up in Queensland's rural region of the Granite Belt, her involvement with horses began as a child on the family property and has continued to be a focus in her life following her move to the West Moreton area. Being a small property and horse owner, Linda's interest in horses has taken her to many event, seminars, clinics and expos where she has been fortunate to meet many people from across the industry, reinforcing her belief in the vital role the Queensland Horse Council has to play. Corporately, she specialises in sales and logistics co-ordination, currently working for an ASX listed energy company where she works in logistics planning, systems design, development and implementation and also revenue budgeting valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, forecasting and reporting.
Fiona Thompson
Halwyn Weller
Halwyn is self employed and is a well known and respected judge and member of the horse industry. Halwyn has been president of the Thoroughbred Show and Performance Horse Association for the last ten years and has been honoured with Life Membership of that Association. She is also a Life Member and Board member of the Australian National Saddlehorse Association (ANSA), Secretary of the Laidley Agriculture and Show Society and a foundation member of the Australian Stock Horse Society. Her other interests include Boer Goats and country music.
Mandy Finnemore
Mandy, an Honours veterinary graduate, has gained considerable experience with the DPI&F during EI and is motivated and enthusiastic about her new role with the QHC. She will be helping Dr Fiona Thompson with our Disease Management strategies and DPI&F committees.
David Somerville
David was involved for 30 years importing specialised hydraulic equipment from all over the world., he sold the business in 2005.
He has lived in the rural community since moving from Sydney in 1975. David fulfilled a long held ambition to be involved with horses in 1980.
He has been involved in endurance riding since 1985 and was Secretary/Treasurer and then Treasurer of Queensland Endurance Riders Association for 7 years.
Was a member of the original group of delegates to meet with Peter Beattie during the rally outside Parliament House to save our riding trails and then served as co-ordinator of the negotiating committee which eventually saw the acceptance by the Queensland Government of the historical rights of horse riders to use forestry trails. Has continued to represent horse riders at the formation of the scientific committee and the two day workshop to oversee the gathering of data to gauge the effect of horse riding on forest trails. David decided to stand for the QHC board when it became clear that there was a lack of historical experience with forest access on the board and felt that there was more work to be done.
David and partner Karen Johanson run a small manufacturing business making Pure Wool Saddle Cloths at Marburg and is also keen to develop the understanding & representation of equine products related business’ by QHC.
David & Karen also run a successful horse stud breeding performance Arabians, Part Bred Arabians and Anglo Arabians for the endurance world.
David always tries to be available to discuss any issues you may have. Feel free to contact at any time.
Peter Gamble