This follows his previous eighteen month tenure in the role and prior to that time, as the deputy chair of the organisation.

“I welcome the appointment of Mr O’Neill as Chair of RDA Mid North Coast. Mr O’Neill’s leadership skills, agribusiness experience and his demonstrated commitment to his local community makes him the perfect candidate to lead RDA Mid North Coast,” Minister John McVeigh, Federal Member for Groom and Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government said.

“RDAs are key contributors to regional economic development. RDA committees are highly valued facilitators of initiatives that grow local economies, promote opportunities and attract investment; this in turn provides confidence to regional areas.”

Relocating to the Mid North Coast after spending 30 years in law enforcement, Mr O’Neill purchased a macadamia farm in the Nambucca Valley and has enjoyed a rewarding transition to rural life.

During the past eleven years Mr O’Neill has become a successful grower, and through continued involvement in the industry achieved positions of director and company secretary of a private macadamia processing company.

“I am looking forward to continuing my roll with RDA MNC and helping to enhance economic opportunities across the region,” he said.

Since moving to the Nambucca Valley he has also become a director and company secretary for a large Not For Profit, that offers a range of services to the wider community for lifestyle, education and care.

He is also a past president of the Island Golf Club, Nambucca Heads.

Mr O’Neill is a university graduate with a BA (Psych) degree and a Grd Crt (HRM) and also Justice of the Peace and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders.

RDA MNC will also be calling for expressions of interests for committee positions soon.