Our Board
Meet Clarence Village’s board members
Mark Dougherty
Chairman
Mark has over 20 years of experience in financial services and is Director of a private company with assets worth over $230m. Mark serves on the Lismore Diocesan Finance Council.
Neil Payne
Deputy Chairman
With an extensive professional history in insurance broking, Neil’s public life has involved serving as Mayor of Copmanhurst Shire Council and administrator of Clarence Valley Council.
Arthur Lysaught
Arthur has served as a Councillor of Clarence Valley Council and previously worked as the General Manager of Grafton District Services Club. He is a current Life Member and Vice President of Grafton District Services Club. Arthur previously served as Board member of Clarence Village Association and joined the Clarence Village Limited board in 2021.
Chris Wheelahan
Chris is a principal of Thompson, Wheelahan & Hampshire solicitors, He is also an active member of Grafton Rotary and has served on Clarence Village’s board since 2003.
Mark Burridge
Mark is a civil and structural engineer and principal of consulting firm Bridge Knowledge (formerly McKenzie Burridge & Associates). A lifelong Graftonian, Mark joined the Clarence Village board in 2022.
Taya Straw
A qualified registered nurse and clinical nurse educator, Taya is currently a lecturer and professional experience leader at Southern Cross University.
Donna Layton
Donna was the General Manager of Marshall Notaras Hardwoods (sawmill and value adding plant) for 45 years. Donna is currently a Director of Timber NSW since 2016 and an executive of the Grafton Chamber of Commerce.
Libby Shearer
Libby has been a resident of Clarence Village since 2018 and has professional experience in volunteer management, palliative care, advance care planning and community nursing.
Steve Donnelly
Steve enjoyed a long career in financial planning and insurance before retiring in 2020. Steve is still heavily involved in swimming and cycling locally, and had a long association with Clarence Valley Senior Citizen’s Association prior to joining the Clarence Village board in 2024.