These are the exceptional people who are members of the HOGIFF board. These people make the hard decisions and do a LOT of hard work!

Robyn Bowman, Secretary
Robyn is a Kingaroy native and teaches year 10 students at James Nash High School in Gympie. She has written or co-written 6 history textbooks and as an educator is known for curriculum innovations that incorporate technology, business and subject materials. She has traveled extensively for the love of history and has been the Chairperson of the Modern History panel for the Queensland Studies Authority in the Wide Bay region since 2005. In 1991, Robyn founded The Last Sunday Film Society which ran for 6 years at the Sovereign Cinema in Gympie. During that same time period she wrote fortnightly film reviews for The Gympie Times. She received her BA from the University of Queensland in English and Australian literature and ancient history. She received her Diploma of Education in the teaching of English and history from the University of Queensland as well.

Cos Schuh, Board Member
A chartered Accountant who has practised in Gympie for 30 years.

Gympie has been a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. My family and I have experienced great friendship and support and are committed to returning that support, wherever we can.

We are very enthusiastic about being involved with the Heart of Gold Festival because it promotes the goodness of Gympie and provides an uplifting experience for us all.

Loic Valmyn, Board Member

Loic is a French screen composer, now Australian Resident, Loic brought his European musical influence to Australian Cinema Industry.

His passion for cinema is as strong as his passion for music.

For 15 years now, Loic has composed soundtracks for international feature films, European TV series and documentaries.

 

Ross Johnston, Board Member

Ross Johnston is an international community development specialist who, with his partner Luana Johnston, recently moved to settle in Gympie.

Since 2003 Ross has worked for the Fred Hollows Foundation, working in countries in Africa, Asia and the Western Pacific.

Prior to that Ross worked for the UN in East Timor.

He also spent many years working in Indigenous community development in Western and Northern Australia.

In the mid 1980's Ross produced a documentary film nominated for an AFI award on the handback of Uluru National Park to its traditional owners.

Ross now undertakes community development consultancy work in East Timor, the Western Pacific and Cape York Peninsular.