About us
Upper Murray Inc. is a community board created to drive the implementation of the Upper Murray 2030 Vision Plan.
We are a fully volunteer, not-for-profit, cross-border (NSW and Victoria) board made up of residents of the Upper Murray. As a board, we advocate for the economic, social, health and wellbeing of the Upper Murray community. Our work is guided by the five key UM2030 initiatives, with a particular focus on:
Agriculture: Diversity, Brand, Product, Farm Gate, Food Trails, Ethically produced beef/food
Tourism: Agritourism, Town Trails, Great River Road
Brand: Administer and market the Upper Murray Brand
Where is the Upper Murray?
Meet our UMI board
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Jo Mackinnon — Chair
Jo moved to the Upper Murray in 1986 after completing a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University, to marry Alex. She very quickly realised that running the farm business was going to be her role and undertook a Diploma in Farm Management remotely, through Monash. Alex and Jo have 4 Children and daughter Milly has now joined the family business. Jo has worked in a voluntary capacity in numerous organisations including Tintaldra Hall and Recreation Reserve, The Man from Snowy River Festival and UMBI. Jo was involved in the development of the Upper Murray 2030 Plan and is a founding member of UMI. Jo was honoured to be recognised in the local 2021 Australia Day Awards as a Champion of the Community for her support during the bushfires.
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Dom Sandilands — Vice Chair
Dominic Sandilands is currently Director and Podiatrist at Corryong Podiatry. He has been a non-executive Director of Upper Murray Incorporated from November 2021 – May 2024; and since August 2024. He was elected Vice-Chair in November 2024.
Dominic moved to the Upper Murray in January 2019 to commence as Chief Executive Officer of Corryong Health, a role he performed until May 2023. He then worked as Chief of Corporate Affairs with Albury Wodonga Health until 2024. Since the Black Summer Bushfires, Dom was Chair of the Upper Murray Community Recovery Committee (July 2020 – May 2023) and led trauma and disaster recovery across the Upper Murray region. Dom is a founding member of Thrive – an Upper Murray Community Suicide Prevention group. Dom is invested in the Upper Murray community with his young family and small business. He is driven to create better health and economic outcomes for the region.
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Jeff Sheather — Secretary
With strong family ties to the region, Jeff returned to live in the Upper Murray in 2016 and is the Owner/Manager of Brigham House boutique accomodation in Tooma, — once upon a time, the historic ’Tooma Store’ built in 1879.
Since his return, Jeff advocates for promotion and improvement of this stunning region through his active memberships with both Upper Murray Incorporated and the Man From Snowy River Tourist Association.
Not one to sit still, he’s also the brains and inspiration of the hugely successful Three Bridges @ Tooma Boutique Markets which have been running since 2017.
Jeff believes the Upper Murray region to be one of the most naturally stunning in Australia, but which remains relatively undiscovered and underdeveloped. To realise increased visitation and tourism experiences to the region would bring him great satisfaction, and he looks forward to playing an active role in the promotion and marketing of the Upper Murray for many years to come.
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Ed Barry — Treasurer
Ed is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand as well as a registered tax agent and financial planner. Ed has extensive professional experience working for major accounting firms Coopers and Lybrand and Price Waterhouse in Melbourne and overseas and has operated a public practice based in the Upper Murray since the early 1990’s. Ed is passionate about the future of the Upper Murray and has held various executive committee roles including President, Secretary and Treasurer with several community bodies including Corryong Rotary Club, Corryong Sporting Complex Inc, Upper Murray Business Inc, The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival and Upper Murray Inc. Ed has played an important role with others in the initiation, development and implementation of the Upper Murray 2030 Vision Plan.
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Sarah Whiteley
Sarah moved to the Upper Murray in 2010 after living for more than a decade in the UK and Middle East. Before leaving the UAE, Sarah worked as a Producer for the Middle East Report at Reuters TV.
Sarah has visited more than 40 countries in her travels and she is passionate about sharing what she considers the most beautiful destination of all, the Upper Murray. Sarah has sat on various boards since arriving including, the Elyne Mitchell Writing Award, The Man From Snowy River, Corryong College PFF as President, Secretary of Tooma Recreation Reserve, Snowy Valleys Council Business and Tourism Bushfire Recovery Group, and the Tooma/Maragle Bushfire Recovery Committee.
Being a part of the primary school community she sees first hand the extra support children need that live in remote rural areas. Sarah believes it is vital to create thriving industries here so that families can choose to live here without having to compromise on better services, schools and infrastructure that might be usually found in a more urban setting.
Sarah and her husband run a cattle farm in NSW and both want to contribute to creating an exciting and sustainable future for the generations to come.