Abbie Galvin is NSW’s first female government architect, REA Group has appointed Cameron Kusher in a new economic research role and Yvonne Pengilly joins the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.
NSW planning minister Rob Stokes has appointed Abbie Galvin as the 24th NSW government architect. Galvin is the first woman to hold the position since it was created more than 200 years ago. Galvin has worked on a range of high-profile projects both in Australia and in Hong Kong as a principal and director of BVN. She replaces Peter Poulet who left the role after being appointed as the new central city district commissioner for the Greater Sydney Commission. Galvin will be responsible for championing design excellence across the state, as well as shaping quality places and public spaces and collaborating with agencies, councils, industry and the community.
Yvonne Pengilly has joined the Queensland Building and Construction Commission as the new technical assistant commissioner. Pengilly’s extensive construction career has spanned subcontract brick and blockwork to a company director overseeing high end resort and multi-storey apartment developments. In her role at the QBCC, Pengilly will be responsible for leading more than 200 staff, from across a range of teams which regulate building standards and quality.
REA Group has appointed Cameron Kusher to the newly-created role of executive director of economic research. Kusher joins REA from CoreLogic, where he spent more than 10 years, most recently as the head of research. Kusher will work alongside REA Group’s chief economist Nerida Conisbee. CEO Owen Wilson says Kusher’s appointment is central to the company’s growth strategy.
Debbie Dean, RetireAustralia’s village manager for Adelaide’s Glengowrie and Scarborough retirement villages, has taken home the Programmed Award for Village Manager of the Year in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Dean has been village manager since 2015, working with nearly 200 residents across two villages. Dean was recognised for her outstanding resident and staff engagement. The national winner of the Programmed Award for Village Manager of the Year will be announced at the National Retirement Living Awards gala dinner on the Gold Coast on 21 November 2019.