Matt Woods is the WA Chairman of Partners at KPMG and the Joint National Leader of Restructuring Services at KPMG Australia. He has over 26 years of experience in the areas of financial restructuring, operational restructuring and insolvency services. He has successfully restructured a number of high-profile companies in Australia, specialising in mining, oil and gas, engineering, property and retail. Outside work Matt is busy raising three children and enjoys his footy, cricket, fishing and surfing.

Sam Dundas is a partner at the national law firm, King & Wood Mallesons. He has had experience both as a front-end transactional lawyer in London and also as a litigator in Australia dealing with a wide variety of contractual disputes, and he brings that broad ranging experience to the board. Sam has been a surfer for over 30 years and is a passionate advocate for all aspects of surfing life and issues affecting the surfing community.

Growing up a stone’s throw from the beach at Scarborough ensured Perry became a surf devotee. Perry first started surfing in 1965 and his induction into competitive surfing came ten years later. He was the Founder and President of the Scarborough Surfriders in 1984/85. A Life Member of Surfing WA, Perry dedicated much time to surfing events initially as a competitor in the state surfing team, then as a judge in later years. Perry graduated to the much-coveted position of ASP International Head Judge for a period of almost twenty years. Perry now runs a successful water patrol business, Water Patrol Australia, with Paul (Antman) Paterson, using his experience to assist and advise others.

Warrick Hazeldine is an experienced director, business and community leader. He is an authority in the fields of investor relations, corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions and crisis and reputation management. Warrick is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a winner of the Business News “40 Under 40 Award”. He is a former Chair and former Non-Executive Director of International Lithium company, Global Resources (ASX:GL1), Chair & Non-Executive Director of clean energy company, ChemX (ASX:CMX), and is a member of the Curtin University Advisory Council.

As Chief Executive Officer of the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Inc., Melita is focused on facilitating medical research for the development of treatments for dust diseases and passionate about preventing further asbestos exposure to another generation and the traditional owners of Wittenoom. Previously, Melita held strategic national leadership roles at Australia Post, Coca Cola Amatil, and Mission Australia Youth Programs.
She enjoys swimming and is a former North Cottesloe Surf Lifesaver. Volunteering with nippers, she experienced firsthand the value of learning surf skills and being part of a like-minded group enjoying the ocean in a caring environment, leading to a belief that as many children as possible should experience these positive opportunities while growing up. She said joining the Board of Surfing WA is a great pleasure and feels like a career coming full circle albeit this time in the surf, having participated in the launch of Coca Cola Amatil’s Sky Surfer advertising campaign early in her business career.

Sarah Parkinson’s interest in surfing developed while working at SRM, a sport and entertainment agency based in London. In this role, Sarah provided high-level strategic advice to corporate executives and their teams, ranging from top-tier sporting clubs and leagues (including the World Surf League), iconic entertainment rights holders and consumer brands. After returning to Western Australia, Sarah joined the Minderoo Foundation where she works across the Foundation’s hilanthropic initiatives and commercial projects.Working closely with the Chairman and executive team, Sarah drives strategy, company-wide alignment and helps to magnify the social and environmental impact of the Foundation’s key projects.

Michelle Prior is the Director of Active Transport at the Department of Transport and leads teams to make it easy for people to ride bikes or walk around in WA. She is a physical activity advocate, with extensive experience in public health, transport planning, behaviour change and advocacy. Michelle is sought for her strategic input and is currently a Road Safety Councillor and a former board member of Australian Women Sport and Recreation. Michelle enjoys being outdoors – whether it’s ocean swimming or riding bikes – and loves teaching her young daughter to do the same.

Peter is a Charted Professional Civil / Structural Engineer with over 26-years’ experience, including 20 years in the private sector based in WA and overseas, and has spent the last 6 years in the Public Sector working for the City of Wanneroo’s Infrastructure Capital Works Team as a Senior Project Manager. Peter has over forty years’ experience in the ocean, which includes 30 years competing at a local, state and national level across various surfing disciplines from bodyboard, shortboard surfing, SUP surfing and windsurfing. Peter also worked in the surfing industry as a manager of a local surf shop in the 90’s while doing his engineering studies.

Georgia is an avid surfer and has been part of the longboard community for more than 20 years. She has competed in State Titles, and at the Australian Titles in both longboarding and shortboarding. Georgia is a two time Australian Longboard Champion, multiple State Champion and has represented Australia in the ISA World Games. She has been competing on the professional WSL longboard tour for over 10 years, achieving a ranking of fifth in the world. Georgia has a Bachelor of Geography and Commerce, with a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning, working as an urban planner for the State Government.

Perth-born Mark (Laney) Lane has been surfing since he was a little boy. In between playing footy and breaking swim records, Mark’s escape was the surf. “It’s the only thing I have ever done that I have loved 40 years on, as much as when I started,” says Laney. “It’s about the adventure; surfing isn’t just about catching the wave. It’s about getting there, predicting where you should surf, the guys and girls you’re with. It’s about getting the right surf on the right day and the travel. Riding the wave is just a small part of it.” 

Sharon started at Surfing WA in 1993. Sharon has always had a love of the ocean, spending her childhood years at the beach with her family and friends. Prior to working at Surfing WA, Sharon was an Assistant Manager at Esanda Finance,  where she gained years of experience in the administration and financial Areas.  Sharon shares her passion for the ocean with her three children,  and enjoys having her daughter Shani, as part of the coaching crew at the Surfing WA Surf School.  Sharon handles all the finance for both Surfing WA and the Surf School.

Surfing WA relies on Tim for his many years of event management experience across all platforms including sports administration, risk management, event logistics, media and marketing. When Tim is not travelling down south or overseas to meet with Surfing WA’s many partners, you can find him in the office or in the water for a board-meeting. 

Justin came to Surfing WA with a Bachelor of Sports Management and a Biomedical Science degree, and has been WA’s Events Manager at for over 13 years. With a strong connection to the sport through his year’s growing up in Margaret River. Justin has created a calendar of more than 27 grassroots, state, national, international and speciality events for shortboards, longboards, bodyboards and stand-up paddle boards.

Raeley comes with 17 years’ experience in the media and public relations. Her love for surfing started during a Learn to Surf program when she attended Churchlands Senior High School. Raeley now shares that passion and love of the ocean with her two young daughters. Raeley manages Surfing WA’s internal and external communications including the West Oz Weekly Highlights and is always on the hunt for a good story.

In 2019 long time Surfing WA coach, Matt, joined the office staff as our Sports Development and Operations Manager. Coming with a Bachelor in Education (Secondary) Matt handles all things Surf Schools, Coaching, Judging, Surfers Rescue 365 and High Performance for the state. He also runs our own surf school “Surfing WA Surf School”. Busy as he is, Matt is always up for a friendly chat and a good time or a cheeky surf!

Kat joined Surfing WA in 2015. With little to no surfing experience when she started, she understands the frustrations of first-time surfers and is always happy to help anyone discover the joy of surfing. Her passion for the sport has grown over the years and she truly believes surfing can change your life. Kat currently coordinates the female participation program and looks after the members and boardrider clubs in WA.

Kim is returning to Surfing WA after completing a Bachelor of Education and spending 20 years as a Secondary Educator. He has held positions as Director of Sport and Assistant Head of Secondary at one of Perth’s elite secondary collages, and previously filled the position of Coaching Director at Surfing WA.

Kim has been part of the surfing community in Western Australia for over 40 years is still a keen surfer and has been involved in boardriding clubs since 1988. His role as Regional Operations Manager is to support and guide our growing list of surf schools, clubs and individual athletes and recreational surfers in regional areas.

Our most recent recruit, Dan joins us with a Bachelor of Business and a Masters in Communications. He has spent the last 10 years in the surf industry managing both surf and stand-up paddle surf schools in multiple locations around Australia. His love for surfing has taken him across the globe, and he is always up for a paddle when the opportunity arises.

Brooke is Surfing WA’s Office Administrator and also coordinates function bookings at Surfing WA’s new Headquarters. Joining Surfing WA with almost no surfing experience, Brooke relates easily to the excitement and nerves of first-time surfers. Her love of the ocean grew when she was living in a house on the beach in Busselton. Moving back to Perth recently, Brooke is now completing a Bachelor of Business with a Major in Marketing. Outside of the office, Brooke is a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.