Regularly, we will feature a member of the HBNC team, giving you a chance to Meet the Neighbours. The goal is to highlight and celebrate the people at the heart of our organisation, who work tirelessly to make the Wide Bay Burnett community a stronger and more resilient one.

This week, we'd like you to meet Ross Zelow, Secretary of HBNC's Management Committee. 

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I moved to Hervey Bay with my family in 1999 when I became Principal of Urangan State High School and I remained in that role until 2015.

What is a quick summary of your professional background?

I have extensive experience in education in a career that spanned 38 years with the Queensland Department of Education. I am a former Assistant Regional Director where I had responsibility for schools in the Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg areas of the Wide Bay region. I have education and leadership experience as a teacher, head of department, deputy principal, principal, leadership coach, and assistant regional director in urban, rural, and remote settings.

What drew you to work with the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre?

I am very passionate about supporting youth, families and communities and I am committed to ensuring that everyone can access the right support, however remote or isolated they may be.

How do you see your role making a difference in the lives of the community’s most vulnerable?

As part of the Management Committee, I bring a deep understanding of system needs through to the individual’s needs and can assist in areas of transformational change, shifting culture and developing staff and community capability and capacity at all levels.

What’s one thing you hope to see happen or change for our community?

Continue to break the long-term unemployment cycle in our community through supporting families, young children, school students, schools, and industries. Enabling residents to find their purpose and take meaningful steps towards the job or career of their choice and dreams.