Meet our CAG members

Dr Cynthia Townley has been working in community sector policy and advocacy for more than ten years, in areas such as housing and homelessness policy, energy, and digital inclusion. Her expertise draws on a professional background in philosophy, with work including rights and inclusion for disadvantaged groups, professional and research ethics, and political philosophy. Cynthia has previously been a member of the TasNetworks Reset Advisory Committee.

Casey has a Bachelor of Economics and has spent her career working in Corporate Services. She is currently working as a Corporate Affairs and Logistics Manager in the Aquaculture industry. Beyond this role, she also has a small consultancy business specialising in tender preparation and human resources. Casey is Treasurer of Women's Health Tasmania and a member of the Primary Health Tasmania Community Council. She was an elected member of Tasman Council from 2018 - 2022. Casey is passionate about ensuring equality for rural and regional areas and an advocate for community succession planning to ensure the regions continue to retain and attract a diverse population.

Owner/Manager “Lyndall” producing Lyndall Lamb Hamilton Tasmania George and his family produce high quality grass-fed lamb for numerous high-end restaurants and retail outlets in the Greater Hobart area. George grew up in Tasmania with his family owning farms in the Southern Midlands and Northwest Tasmania. After finishing school he worked in the channel country of South West Queensland, for five years, before returning to Tasmania to the Northwest Coast. Then moving to King Island where he had a farm and was livestock manager at the KI abattoir. From there to a large irrigation property in the riverina. Returning to Queensland to Work for AMH (now JBS) and Elders International, before returning to Tasmania in 2010 to purchase Lyndall. George was also on the RMU working group for six years and is presently chair of Tas Farmers Meat Council.

With a Cert III in Aged Care and a decade of experience in high care nursing, I have a deep understanding of diverse medical conditions and palliative care. After taking a pause to focus on family and provide palliative support to a friend, I dedicated myself to advocating for my family’s educational and medical needs. Now, with a wealth of life experiences and a more settled routine, I continue to cherish the balance between my family life and my professional insights.

I have lived and worked in Coles Bay for 13 years with half that time running our own businesses, accommodation, and a nano brewery.  Living in a small community with a large tourist population affords a unique perspective on both rural communities and rural business needs.

I have a plant science degree.  From these studies, I developed a strong interest in environmental issues and initiatives.  For instance, our brewery has the first composting machine of its kind in Tasmania, converting our spent grain into plant fertiliser in 24 hours. This avoids methane producing slow composting and we use the fertiliser to grow some of our food.   We also have solar power to reduce our draw on the grid.      

I live with a chronic illness and have a CPAP machine to sleep, so understand the need for certainty and reliability of service provision, as my ongoing health depends upon this.

John has a Bachelor of agricultural economics and a Post Graduate Diploma in computing science. He has an extensive public policy background, having worked in the Tasmanian Government agencies of Premier and Cabinet, Treasury, Primary Industries, Transport and Infrastructure for three decades until his retirement in 2010. John is passionate about the financial and social well-being of older Tasmanians. He uses his knowledge and experience in economics, finance and business management to advocate for the interests of older Australians on key issues affecting their well-being. John also has a strong interest in good nutrition, being active and socially engaged as a means to maintaining personal health and well-being. In addition to his CAG membership, John also contributes to a wide range of organisations, including Chair of the COTA Tasmania Policy Council, Chair of Health Consumers Tasmania, and President Australian Council of Public Sector Retiree Organisations (ACPRSRO) – among others.

Kate O'Sullivan is a Tasmanian artist living and working in the north of the state. She graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours in 2022, receiving two awards in recognition of her efforts.  In the time since she has exhibited her oil painting installions in several local galleries and volunteers with the Deloraine Creative Studios. To support her art career Kate works part time as a cleaner and in her spare time joins different focus groups, including TasNetworks first youth panel in 2022. Kate's experience as an artist and former student gives her a unique perspective on life and a penchant for out of the box thinking.

My name's Marianne and I hope to bring a range of life experience to this network. To begin I'm of a migrant background, having arrived in Tasmania as a child, later sharing, with siblings, our parents' loss of English skills as they reached old age. I spent many years as a sole parent, while my work highlights include teaching, management in aged care, community development and more, including casual jobs when extra resources were needed. I'm active in the mental health arena and proud to have input into enabling services to listen and be inclusive. My work, volunteering and life has touched on youth, homelessness, employment access, food insecurity, issues faced by women, disability advocacy and the power of social connection.

TBA

My name is Tammy Milne, I have recently moved to Hobart after living on the North West Coast most of my life. My interest in the Customer Advisory Group is to learn and improve services for marginalised communities. My lived experience and advocacy work is what brings me to this space. I’m committed to a more sustainable future for the next generation and that starts now. Our energy networks intrinsic to delivering a greener future for us all. I want to be part of making that happen.

Toby Thorpe is a dedicated advocate for renewable energy and climate action. With a strong background in community engagement and sustainable development, Toby has led various initiatives to advance renewable energy projects and promote climate leadership.

My name is Tony Medcraft. Of the punnilerpanner people. Deeply committed to Palawa community by caring for Country.  I use skills gained during my successful career to navigate issues that arise. Employment history across Tasmania and Australia. Telstra in Tasmania and WA.  Sixteen years with disabilities in Tasmania and NSW. My research abilities have provided me with roles in jobs, advisory positions and by far the most pleasing experience has been to learn some family secrets and stories. Other highlights have been going to Olympics in Sydney and China and part of country music in Tamworth. Our Country is important. We must ensure we care for our Country.