Committee

Jacqui Barton is a communications professional with 20 years of experience in strategy, content creation, publicity and relationship building in education, publishing, and the arts. She is passionate about the power of storytelling and how we can use stories to educate, connect and influence. She is the owner and founder of Angophora House Consulting a boutique consulting firm supporting the publishing industry.

Angela has previously worked in arts festivals and the media, as well as the retail bookselling industry. She lives in Umina Beach on the Central Coast.

Raelene has lived on the Central Coast since the birth of her first child, who is almost 20. Raelene helps run a local accounting practice with her husband Greg. She has been an avid reader since the age of 11 when she read her first book, Playing Beattie Bow by Ruth Park.

Marie has been working as a TV producer /writer for twenty years. She’s produced programs across many genres – children’s, entertainment, documentary and live broadcasts. For two years she was the series producer for ABC’s The Book Club. She is currently writing a young adult novel and writes regularly for a UK scuba-diving magazine.

Susanne Gervay OAM awarded the Social Justice Literature Award by International Literacy Association writes for all ages, tackling the great issues of our time – feminism with Shadows of Olive Trees, disability Butterflies, harmony Elephants Have Wings, bullying I Am Jack books, vision The Boy in the Big Blue Glasses, Heroes of the Secret Underground championing young people.

Greg has owned and operated a busy Central Coast based business advisory and tax practice for over 20 years. He lives at Umina Beach and is a keen surfer, ocean swimmer and over 45s football player.

After retiring from management roles in the IT industry, Margaret joined the committee of the Bouddi Society. Over the last three years Margaret has used her organisational skills to create successful art shows for the Society at Wagstaffe.

Dr Clare Keogh is a former general manager of an electronics multinational turned university lecturer and author. She has a PhD in business management and academic publications in tourism and sports engagement. A Central Coast resident she is passionately dedicated to developing a sustainable writers festival to support local authors.

Fiona is a former television colourist with works in several anthologies for children. She is a role model for Books in Homes, and coach with the Harding Miller Education Foundation. Fiona’s debut novel with Penguin Random House will be released in 2023.

Mandi McIntosh is an experienced bookseller, having owned a local independent book store for more than 15 years.  She has hosted and co-hosted literary events since 2005, as well as hosting a range of book clubs each month.  Mandi is also a passionate educator, working for TAFE enhancing literacy and numeracy for students.

Kirsten’s career is immersed in books. An Information Science degree saw early roles supporting Indigenous education and in public libraries, and later as a Book Club Editor for Scholastic Australia. Residing with her family in Avoca, Kirsten now manages Kincumber Library where she is passionate about children’s programs promoting a lifelong love of learning and reading.

Kaye’s career has given her an informed insight into the publishing world with over 30 years working in sales, marketing and product management.  Working as Head of Trade Sales at Penguin Random House and various positions at Scholastic and HarperCollins she has been involved in various aspects from acquisition to bookshop.  Kaye now works part time as a service manager to Bookshops around the country.