Board and Executive
The HikeWest Board comprises five elected Directors and up to two appointed Directors. The Board may also appoint advisors. The five elected Directors must be members of the Association (either a member of a Member Club or an Individual Member), and are elected for an initial term of three years. Appointed Directors are not required to be members and are eligible for re-appointment annually after an initial twelve month term. An Executive Officer (‘EO’) is appointed by the Board and is empowered by delegation from the Board to operationally manage HikeWest and to drive and implement the current Strategic Plan set by the Board.
| President | Pascal Veyradier Read More  Helping people go where they want to go – where hiking is the how, not the why – is what motivates Pascal when promoting the benefits of the outdoors, when helping people to be more active and adventurous, to improve their confidence and wellbeing, or to develop new skills. Pascal brings together capabilities in business and community development, in cultural and heritage cognition, in human-centered design and communication. Pascal works in local government and is currently responsible for developing Jarrahdale into a trail and tourism destination. He was elected to the HikeWest Board in 2024. |
| Vice-President | Neil Gibson Read More  Neil is a Director and Production Manager of a digital agency and has 20+ years’ experience in web development, online marketing, graphic design and publishing. He is a founding member of a local business support initiative and has an extensive network of business professionals. Neil is a keen bushwalker, walk leader and a volunteer guide at the Bibbulmun Track Foundation. Through his membership of the HikeWest Board, Neil is excited to be able to contribute to the furthering of hiking in WA while also networking with like-minded individuals. He was elected to the HikeWest Board in 2019. |
| Treasurer | Amber Kaur Read More  Amber is a CPA-qualified accountant with extensive experience in business accounting, project planning, systems implementation and maintaining organisational prudential compliance. She has an M.Acc from Curtin University and has worked in health care, employment services, not for profit and disability services. She is passionate about being outdoors and is a keen bushwalker who enjoys exploring new walking trails. Amber is enthusiastic about HikeWest's mission of fostering and promoting bushwalking/hiking in WA. She was elected to the HikeWest Board in 2022. |
| Secretary | Kathy Miller Read More  Kathy is an Industrial Chemist with over 30 years’ career experience in diverse roles across food, pharmaceutical, advanced manufacturing, minerals, and power generation sectors. She currently works with a number of companies as a Scientific Consultant and Technical Writer. She lives in the Collie area and is a keen solo hiker, hiking up to 2000 km each year mainly in southwest WA, with frequent camping/4WD trips further afield. Kathy has a strong interest in science-based aspects of sustainability and conservation. She has served on various committees and clubs is also an active volunteer bush firefighter, serving as Captain and Trainer/Assessor for her local bushfire brigade. She was elected to the HikeWest Board in 2023. |
| Director (elected) | Mark Pybus Read More  Mark is a Test Analyst and has been working in the finance industry for over 13 years. He is a keen hiker, mountain biker and trail runner, always exploring the trails and nature spaces of Western Australia. As the founder of The Life of Py, Mark has been an advocate for trail use through his website and photography. He was elected to the HikeWest Board in 2020. |
| Director (appointed) | Hecate Jay Read More  Hecate is a past President (2014-2015) of HikeWest (as ‘Bushwalking WA’); currently President of Bushwalking Australia (BAI) ; and previously BAI Council Secretary for six years. She was also a member of Perth Bushwalkers Club for 12 years and served on that club's committee. Her career has included several years as a commercial bushwalking guide. Hecate is keenly interested in assisting in protecting our bushwalking environment. She was appointed to the HikeWest Board in 2022. |
| Director (appointed) | Karen Tyson Read More  Karen's professional background includes administration, finance, commercial accounting, and human resources. Karen is a recent past-President of Western Walking Club, with prior committee experience. She has diplomas in management and accounting. Karen is keen to continue contributing to the hiking community in WA. She was appointed to the HikeWest Board in 2022. |
| Executive Officer | Meelee Soorkia Read More  Meelee has held chair and senior management positions within not-for-profit organisations and has strong strategic and operational leadership experience. She has a diverse skill set gained across a range of industries, including community development, management consulting and book publishing. Her high-level business, project management and communication skills make her well suited to steering HikeWest through an exciting period of growth, and will put the organisation in a stronger position to advocate for hiking in WA. Meelee is also a passionate hiker and loves spending time in nature in WA and overseas. Meelee commenced in the role in May 2023. |
| Programs Coordinator | Vanessa Moss Read More  Vanessa has experience delivering a wide variety of programs, including community development and outdoor recreation programs. In addition to project officer roles at various not-for-profit and government agencies, Vanessa has also worked as a ranger at Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park and an outdoor educator with Outward Bound. Vanessa is a passionate hiker and outdoor enthusiast. In 2023, she completed an end-to-end of the Bibbulmun Track, walked the Overland and completed Three Capes walks in Tasmania. |
Rules of Association
The current constitution or Rules of Association for HikeWest Incorporated (known as ‘HikeWest’) were lodged in the office of the Commissioner for Consumer Protection in November 2023. View: “Rules of Association for HikeWest Incorporated”.
Strategic Plan
The Plan explains how HikeWest is embracing our vision: To see more people hiking in Western Australia more often. An annual Operational Plan also provides the Board and EO with a checklist of the strategies and key tasks outlined in the Strategic Plan to help identify the near-term priorities and monitor progress toward the overall goals.
View: Strategic Plan 2023-2026
Policies
HikeWest aims to always conduct itself through its policies and in practice in a manner that is true to its core values and behaviours as a peak body as espoused in our Strategic Plan:
HikeWest Code of Conduct
| Core Values | Core Behaviours |
|---|---|
| Open, ethical, professional & accountable in all that we do | Operate proactively as a leader in the bushwalking community |
| Inclusive and respectful of diversity | Respond to stakeholder needs & aspirations |
| Respect & love of our natural bushwalking environment | Advocate for the community |
| Commitment & pride in HikeWest | Maintain best practice governance & management |
| Active in embracing change | Build an effective sphere of influence |
Policies and positions reflected in HikeWest’s advocating and submissions on issues affecting bushwalking and the environment, and in our Risk Management Guidelines, Minimum Impact Bushwalking Code etc are consistent with the principles above and also with the objectives outlined in the constitution (also see ‘What we do’). Our Privacy Policy Statement summarises how HikeWest respects your privacy and embraces the principles contained in the Privacy Act.
AGM Minutes & Reporting
Funding
HikeWest is an independent not-for-profit organisation. Our financial base relies on the generous support of our several official Sponsors and from other sources, including advertising income and member club levies.
We are also grateful for the support of the State Government who, via DLGSC have provided funding for specific projects, including the inaugural WA Hiking Expo in 2021, and Lotterywest who provided a grant in 2018 to assist HikeWest with the costs of developing this current website.
Media & Disclaimer
HikeWest communicates regularly with our members and the broader community through this website, via a regular eNews publication and Facebook. Board policies, including our Privacy Policy Statement, provide guidelines on HikeWest’s use of these media.