WBN Board

Kim Storer – Chairperson
Koorda Community Resource Centre

Kim has been the Manager of the Koorda Community Resource Centre for over 10 years.

Kim believes that collaboration is key for the success of the CRC network. Like many small businesses we lack power as individuals. There is a bucket load of untapped potential in idea sharing and collaborative teaming. I feel it is more important now than ever to develop business opportunities that build long term relationships and networks that include both Not-For-Profit and Profitable businesses.

WBN Board

Chloe Whitwell – Vice Chair
Wave Rock Short Stay – Hyden

Chloe started her small business, Wave Rock Country Cottage, in 2011 at the age of 25. Since then the business has expanded and rebranded. Wave Rock Short Stay offers quality accommodation including, The Cottage, The Bungalow, The Camp (11 sites) and The Silos (16 ensuite rooms). The last 11 years have been challenging and rewarding with many lessons learnt along the way. Chloe has a passion for Women in Business, specifically in rural areas and is excited to be able to share her knowledge through the Wheatbelt Business Network. Chloe has been an WBN member since its conception and has assisted and spoken at several WBN events. Chloe is an active member of her community and has undertaken various volunteer roles on committees, which in turn has provided her with invaluable skills to run her own business.

Chloe is a qualified bookkeeper which is a great asset, not only for her business, but assists her with helping run her husband’s broadacre farming enterprise. Chloe lives in Hyden with her husband Craig and 3 young children.

WBN Board

Nick Rogers – Finance Committee
Kylagh Cattle – Tammin

I grew up on our family farm in Tammin, which had cropping and sheep enterprises when I was younger, but now focuses on cropping and grain-fed beef cattle. I went away to Perth for boarding school from 2005 – 2009, and continued on to study a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce at UWA, which I completed in 2015. This led me to a short career as a lawyer, before returning to the farm in 2018.

I am now the feedlot manager of Kylagh Cattle, which involves coordinating the team to ensure the cattle are healthy, happy and well-fed each and every day of the year. We have a passionate team of about 15, who hail from the Wheatbelt and beyond.

Outside of work I am still enjoying a kick of footy (although feeling older than I should), having a hit of golf and getting away overseas or up north for a fish whenever I can!

WBN Board

Christy Petchell – Finance Committee
Petchell Mechanical – Wyalkatchem

My name is Christy Petchell, and I originally grew up in Perth. I moved to the Wheatbelt at the beginning of 2010, when I took up my first teaching position at Dowerin DHS. A few years later, I married a local Wylie boy, had two children, and made Wyalkatchem my forever home.

I am the owner of Petchell Mechanical, alongside my husband, Steven. We first started our business in 2014 out of a field service vehicle. We now own a workshop, and a parts shop in town. We specialise in heavy diesel, agricultural and light vehicle repairs.

Outside of the workshop; I volunteer on many different committees, I’m a Shire Councillor for Wyalkatchem and have just restarted the Wyalkatchem Business Association – with a focus on business/community growth and mental health. 

Alyssa

Elyssa Giedraitis – Finance Committee
EJG Creative

You know when you were in school and you reached year twelve with absolutely no idea what you wanted to do? That was not me. I always wanted to write. Writing began as a way for me to express myself, what I was feeling, but soon became a hobby. I’ve written my blog, The Introvert Archive for seven years now, I’ve written for online sites like Mamamia and Boss Mode Radio. I continue to write a lot, even when I “don’t have time”, I make the time. Writing is my outlet, it is a lot easier for me to write something out than it is to form the words and speak out loud.

After high school I discovered I also liked the marketing world. This was discovered when I took over as Admin and Marketing manager for the family business. I spend my days in my office doing both work for the business and my own work. We are an agriculture business, manufacturing spraying equipment and repairing machinery that has been damaged (believe me- I hear some funny “how I broke something” stories, every single day).

I created EJG Creative with these small, farming businesses in mind. The businesses that don’t have a big budget for these services, the businesses that don’t have the time to think about their marketing and their websites, or in some cases they don’t really understand how to do that. EJG Creative is for the little guys, because I am one of the little guys.

Racheal King

Racheal King – Board Member
Shire of Tammin

I joined the Board for the Wheatbelt Business Network (WBN) because I am deeply committed to fostering the growth and sustainability of local businesses in our region. The Wheatbelt is a unique and vibrant community with its own set of challenges and opportunities. I believe that WBN plays a crucial role in providing the resources, support, and advocacy that local businesses need to thrive.

Through my role on the Board, I aim to contribute my extensive experience in finance and local government to assist WBN’s strategic direction and ensure that it continues to meet the evolving needs of the Wheatbelt business community. I am particularly passionate about initiatives that drive economic development, enhance business resilience, and encourage innovation across the region.

Being part of WBN allows me to connect with other like-minded individuals and organisations who are dedicated to making a positive impact on our local economy. It also gives me the opportunity to give back to the community that I have been a part of for the past two years, and where I am raising my family. I am committed to leveraging my skills and experience to support the vital work that WBN does in empowering our local businesses to succeed.

Josh Barnes from Barnes Hydraulic Services

Josh Barnes – Board Member
Director, Barnes Hydraulic Services

After completing my trade in the Pilbara in the early 2000s, I moved back to the Shire of Dandaragan, with a vision of establishing a hydraulics service and repair business in the Badgingarra area; knowing there was a gaping hole but huge need for this type of mechanical service here.
Alongside my business, I have been heavily involved in the local community as Captain of the Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade, Chairperson of the Badgingarra Chamber of Commerce, member of the Badgingarra Community Association as well as being actively involved in the Dandaragan Football for a handful of years.
As my business and family grew, I’ve stepped down from most of these roles and have been focusing on recruiting employees, housing for employees and a workshop expansion to keep up with the demand and future growth in our region. A part of this was a successful RED Grant application in 2022, which lead me to interactions with the Wheatbelt Business Network along the way.
I jumped at the invitation to join the WBN board as I am passionate about small business success in regional WA. I know we are all facing similar issues and hurdles and if I can offer my experiences, then I am also sure to gain a lot more knowledge too and together we can turn these into successes for more businesses now and into the future.

The Wheatbelt's Leading Business Network

WBN About Us

Our Mission

We aim to work proactively with members to grow their business and their communities while creating a positive atmosphere through professional development, one on one business support, networking events, and economic development initiatives.