Matt Woods is a Senior Partner at KPMG in WA, where he leads the firm’s Enterprise Mid-Market practice, along with its Turnaround and Restructuring, Deal Advisory, and Infrastructure practices in the Perth office. He is also the Client Lead Partner for KPMG’s WA Government Account. Beyond his professional role, Matt serves as Chair of Edge Employment Solutions Inc., an organisation that has secured over 9,000 jobs for people with disabilities. He is also a committee member of the Western Australian All Abilities Football Association Ltd.

Georgia Young is one of Australia’s most accomplished longboarders, a two-time Australian Champion and multiple State Champion. She has represented Australia at the ISA World Surfing Games and competed on the WSL Longboard Tour for over 10 years, achieving a ranking of fifth in the world. Georgia has a Bachelor of Geography and Commerce and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning, working as an urban planner for Hames Sharley. 

Amanda Bourke is the Senior Legal Counsel for the South Metropolitan Health Service. Prior to working as an in-house lawyer in public health, she spent eight years in private legal practice, including as a senior corporate mergers and acquisitions lawyer at Corrs Chambers Westgarth. A lifelong surfer, she has served on the boards of Mercedes College and the Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA, and is a Group Coordinator for Surfing Mums Australia, helping parents get back in the water.

Warrick Hazeldine is an experienced director, business and community leader with expertise in investor relations, corporate strategy, M&A, and reputation management. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a recipient of the Business News “40 Under 40 Award”, he co-founded Purple Communications, a leading corporate reputation consultancy. Warrick also holds director roles across ASX-listed companies, serves on Curtin University’s Business and Law Advisory Council, and has been passionate about surfing for over 30 years.

Melita Markey is Chief Executive Officer of the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Inc., leading medical research into dust disease treatments and advocating to prevent asbestos exposure to future generations and the Traditional Owners of Wittenoom. She has held national leadership roles with Australia Post, Coca Cola Amatil, and Mission Australia Youth Programs. A former North Cottesloe surf lifesaver and keen swimmer, Melita is passionate about helping all children experience the benefits of surf skills and community connection.

Sarah Parkinson is the Director of Private Assets for a Family Office managing procurement, project development, legal, tax, investments and a treasury function. Sarah’s interest in surfing developed several years ago while working at SRM, a sport and entertainment agency based in London. In this role, Sarah provided high-level strategic advice to corporate executives from top-tier sporting clubs and leagues, including the World Surf League.

Michelle Prior is the Director of Active Transport at the Department of Transport, leading a multi-disciplinary team to support people to walk, wheel and ride. A strong advocate for physical activity, she has extensive experience in public health, transport planning, behaviour change and advocacy. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Michelle has served on Government and National Boards including the Road Safety Council and Australian Women Sport and Recreation, and is Chair of Cycling Walking Australia New Zealand.

Peter Tomsett is a Chartered Professional Civil and Structural Engineer with over 27 years’ experience across the private and public sectors both in WA and abroad. He spent six years as a Senior Project Manager with the City of Wanneroo and is now State Lead Civil Infrastructure Manager for Stockland Developments. A lifelong ocean enthusiast, Peter has competed at local, state and national levels in multiple surfing disciplines and once managed a local surf shop while completing his engineering studies.

Patrick Warr is a long-time local surfer with nearly 50 years of experience in the water and is a current member of Scarborough Boardriders Club. He brings extensive business and consulting experience, having been a partner in a national accounting firm and held senior commercial and consulting roles both locally and internationally. Now semi-retired, Patrick continues to consult and serve on not-for-profit boards and remains passionate about giving back to WA’s surfing community.

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. 

With a Bachelor of Media and Marketing and extensive experience in public relations and media, Raeley is passionate about storytelling and connection. Her surfing journey began at Churchlands Senior High School in a Learn to Surf program, sparking a love for the ocean she now shares with her two daughters. Today, Raeley drives Surfing WA’s communications, from internal updates to the West Oz Weekly newsletter, and thrives on uncovering and sharing the stories that shape WA’s surfing community.

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.