2011 NSW ARA Council Elections – candidate profiles

Colin Lachlan Scott – Frontline Hobbies Pty Ltd.

Colin is the owner and founder of Frontline Hobbies Pty Ltd (Retail, Newcastle). Established in 1979, Frontline Hobbies is now Australia’s largest hobby retailer. Colin is also owner and founder of one of the top five Australian hobby wholesalers, Hobby Australia (established 2004) and owner of Victorian Hobby Centre Pty Ltd (Retail) in Melbourne’s CBD.

Colin graduated as a land surveyor from the Royal Military School of Engineering, and worked as a Royal Engineer with the British Armed services. He has also worked for BHP as a Computer Systems Analyst.

In 2009, Colin won ARA NSW Independent Retailer of the Year and Frontline Hobbies recently won Lego Independent Retailer of the Year Award (2011) for the third year in a row. Colin is Director and Board Member, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, the Australian Toy Association, and Director and Board Member, Hunter Business Chamber.

Judith McDonald - Scuba Warehouse Parramatta

Judith McDonald is owner of the award winning Scuba Warehouse Parramatta established 25 years and the National Geographic Dive Centre, Geo Divers Sydney, established 2005. She has held a number of SME advocacy roles over the years, including: Director of the Parramatta Business Enterprise Center and business incubator, The Business Village; President of the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce; Director of the Dive Industry & Travel Association of Australia and has been active in a number of business mentor programs including the Department of State and Regional Development, Women in Business Mentor Program. Judith has also worked with her local university as a member of the University of Western Sydney Regional Council and the UWS Business Advisory Panel. She has also acted as Chair for Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Awards.

She was previously a Board member and the Vice President of The ARA NSW.

David Jarjoura – MyHouse (Aust) Pty Ltd.

David is Managing Director of the MyHouse chain of retail outlets. MyHouse has 39 locations and employs over 30 staff. MyHouse was established in 1956 and David has been MD since 1992.

Due to his stores being predominantly in shopping centres, David has been a very strong advocate for changes to the Retail Leasing Act. He has worked with and gave support to Tony Standley, who was a leader in showing law makers the short comings of the Retail Leases Act. He is fully aware of the issues this has on all retail businesses.

With over 300 employees David is fully aware of the issues facing retail employers when dealing with the new Fair Work Act.

David is a director of two private companies within the retail area as well as a member of the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club.