Regional Development Trust

The Trust visits the regions and consults widely with individuals, industry and the broader community to raise awareness, increase knowledge and promote sustainable economic development in regional Western Australia.

The Trust formally meets approximately 4 times per year and on other occasions as required.

Trust Membership

The Minister for Regional Development appoints Trust members under section 13 of the Royalties for Regions Act 2009 (the Act) to include:

• The Chairperson of a Regional Development Commission
• At least three, but not more than five other people.

The current members of the Trust are:

Hon David Templeman, Chair 

Appointed as Chair on 16 March 2026 under sections 13(1)(b), 14, 15(1) of the Act.

Formerly a member of State Parliament (2001-2025), David has a long parliamentary career, serving as a Minister under Carpenter, McGowan and Cook.

David has held a diverse range of Portfolios across these Governments including, Minister for Child Protection, Peel Region, Environment, Climate Change, Local Government, Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Heritage, International Education and Sport and Recreation. As a Senior Minister he was also Leader of the House in the Legislative Assembly for 8 years.

David was born in the regional town of Northam and has lived in the Peel Region for more than 35 years, maintaining a strong personal and professional connection to regional Western Australia. He is a firm advocate for the principle that when regional communities thrive, the entire state benefits.

As Chair, David brings a deep understanding of the diversity, strengths and challenges of our regions, and the importance of high quality services being delivered and maintained so that regional communities can continue to deliver exceptional outcomes for the state and for the people that live and work across regional Western Australia.

Hon. Tom Stephens OAM JP BA GAICD, Deputy Chair

Appointed as a Trust Member on 1 August 2019 under sections 13(1)(a) and 15(2) of the Act.

Reappointed as Deputy Chair on 4 June 2024 under section 13(1)(b), 14 and 15(1) of the Act.

Formerly a member of State Parliament (1982-2013), Tom served as a Minister in both Dr Carmen Lawrence and Dr Geoff Gallop's Governments, where he held the portfolios of Housing and Works, Local Government, Heritage and Regional Development.

Since retiring from the State Parliament, Tom has served on a number of Boards and Committees, drawing on his many years of experience and involvement across regional western Australia generally and with Aboriginal communities in particular. These include the Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation of WA, Lost and Found Opera, MG Aboriginal Corporation, and the Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation.

Tom is also Chair of the Kimberley Development Commission, a Director of the Pilbara Ports Authority and continues to maintain an active involvement across regional Western Australia.

Cherie Heslington, Trust Member

Appointed as a Trust Member on 16 March 2026 under sections 13(1)(b) of the Act. Cherie brings more than 20 years’ experience across community development, leadership, training and governance in Western Australia.

Cherie is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Aarnja Ltd, where she works closely with Kimberley Aboriginal groups, community organisations and partners to strengthen Aboriginal leadership, governance and regional collaboration. She has extensive experience across education, training, workforce development and economic participation, and a strong background in facilitation, mentoring and strategic leadership. Cherie brings a depth of regional knowledge and a strong commitment to strengthening opportunities for Aboriginal people and for regional and remote communities across the Kimberley.

Paula Hickey, Trust Member

Appointed as a Trust Member on 1 January 2022 under sections 13(1)(b) of the Act.

Reappointed as a Trust member on 11 June 2024 under section 13(1)(b) and 15(1) of the Act.

Paula has extensive experience in providing advice and working directly with executive government at both a State and Federal level for over 20 years. her roles have included Principal Private Secretary and Principal Policy Advisor to several State Government Ministers. During this time Paula gained key strengths in the areas of Local Government and Regional Development, Sport and Recreation, and Agriculture and Food.

After working with Woodside Energy for 10-years, Paula undertook the role of Manager Government Relations at DUG Technology, a West Australian technology company involved in high-performance computing (HPC), before recently retiring.

Paula brings substantial experience of working in government and international relations, the resource sector and operating her own small business, supporting community development in regional and remote communities.

Neema Premji, Trust Member

Appointed as a Trust member on 4 June 2024 under section 13(1) (b) and 15(1) of the Act.

Neema Premji is a Professional Independent Chair and Non-Executive Director and has served on public and private boards in infrastructure, mining and resources, utilities, not for profit, trading enterprises, and international relations sectors in the last 25 years. 

Neema is director of her own board consultancy services, which assists organisations with strategic planning, risk management, independent auditing services, corporate governance frameworks, board assessments and evaluations and chairman and executive mentoring.

Julie Waylen, Trust Member

Appointed as a Trust Member on 16 March 2026 under sections 13(1)(b) of the Act.

Julie has more than 30 years’ experience in executive leadership roles across Western Australia’s State Government and the community services sector.

Julie’s experience spans disability and NDIS services, child protection, family support, homelessness and health, with strong expertise in strategic leadership, corporate governance, organisational transformation and stakeholder engagement.

Julie is the former Chief Executive Officer of Diversity South and previously served as State Manager for National Disability Services (NDS) WA. Julie is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (WA), a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and was awarded WA Leader of the Year – Working in the Not‑for‑Profit Sector in 2021. Julie has also held a range of not‑for‑profit board roles and government advisory positions.