MYPN Committee

President – Don Mayne

Don Mayne is currently a Year Level Co-ordinator and Teacher at Red Cliffs Secondary College, teaching Performing Arts and Technology subjects. Don has been teaching in the region for 14 years.

Locally, Don is quite heavily involved with the arts and cultural aspects of this region. Don has been involved in over 30 productions with Musical Society Mildura in the orchestra or in Musical Director roles. Don is also a past President of Musical Society Mildura and was awarded a life membership of Musical Society Mildura in 2019. Don was also a nominee for citizen of the year for the Mildura region in 2019 with notable citation of his volunteer work in the community.

Don is the current Chair of the Mildura Arts, Cultural and Heritage Advisory Council, a past Musical Director and Producer of Electric Light Theatre and also a Life Member (2011) and current Musical Director of Sunraysia Gang Show.

Don spends most of his non-teaching time performing as a freelance musician with many groups around Australia as well as internationally. Don is a current member, composer/arranger and feature soloist of the Salvo Big Band, a Temby Trumpet Artist and a published Composer/Arranger and Recording Artist.

Don is the old person of the group but wants to use his life experience and connections in the wider community to ignite a passion for this group to network young professionals in this region with like-minded people as well as work with local businesses and charities to bring the best opportunities to grow and inspire our members and our region.

Vice President - Khalil Gareeboo

Originally from the tropical island of Mauritius, Khalil migrated to Sydney to pursue his studies to become an audiologist at Macquarie University after the completion of his first degree in Scotland and having subsequently volunteered in the charity sector in Mauritius. Whilst studying in Sydney, Khalil was involved in various extra-curricular and volunteering activities for various not-for-profit organisations. Khalil moved to Mildura for work almost a year ago and is currently working as a clinical audiologist at Country Hearing Care. When Khalil is not busy checking people’s hearing and adjusting their hearing aids, he enjoys hands-on activities such as baking, cooking, pottery and gardening in his spare time, as well as reading, bush-walking, travelling and playing the electric keyboard.

Treasurer - Samuel White

Sam grew up in Wollongong where he attended the University of Wollongong studying Electrical Engineering. After graduating Sam moved to Mildura in 2015 for a position with Cristal Mining and is currently working for Lower Murray Water. Sam completed the Northern Mallee Leaders program in 2019 and still enjoys playing an active role in the community with positions on both the Mildura Young Professionals and Nichols Point Soccer Club Committees.

Secretary - Roxanne Kloppers

Roxanne graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology. Her passion for travel has led her to undertake vintages across Australia as well as in the USA and France. She has been based in Mildura for just over two years, having moved from the Barossa Valley for a winemaking role at Australian Vintage Limited’s Buronga Hill Winery. Her work role includes making a range of commercial to premium end wines. Filling the role of secretary within MYPN committee for the past year she brings her passion for organising events, as well as engaging with newcomers to the community. Her other interests include social sports, a love of food and wine, being outdoors enjoying weekends of camping and hiking.

General Member - Russell Lamattina

Russell originates from here in Mildura having attended Irymple Primary and Secondary Schools followed by Mildura Senior College. He then went on to Melbourne University to study mechanical engineering and has now returned home to provide his skills here having worked for Meridian Engineering, Tronox Mining Australia’s Ginkgo/Snapper mine, Australian Vintage at Buronga Hill Winery and now as the Project Development Officer for Mildura Rural City Council.

Returning after a year off from the committee, this is Russell’s 6th year being involved with the MYPN which includes two years as President. He is also actively involved with other community groups including the Mildura Show Society, Mildura Fringe, Mildura’s Biggest Ever Blokes BBQ Committee, and the local branch of the Liberal Party.

His favourite activities include travelling, going along to the Sunraysia farmers market and playing soccer for Nichols Point for which he is the coach of the reserves team.