John Chapman OAM, Presiding Member
John Chapman’s multi-faceted career includes extensive experience at CEO/senior executive level in public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
He is currently the South Australian Industry Advocate. He is also a member of the SA Skills Commission as well as an independent member of the Department for Energy and Mining Audit and Risk Committee. He was South Australia’s Small Business Commissioner between 2014 and 2021 following 8 years as CEO of the Motor Trade Association of SA.
He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Adelaide and is a Fellow and Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Commissioner Cameron Baker, South Australian Skills Commission
Commissioner Cameron Baker has more than 20 years’ experience in the vocational education and training sector. He was appointed as South Australia’s Skills Commissioner in July 2023.
Economic, social policy and workplace safety imperatives underpin Cameron’s work, which sees him engage daily with industry associations, employer bodies, unions and training organisations.
As the former Acting Victorian Skills Commissioner, Head of Apprenticeships Victoria, Deputy CEO of Manufacturing Skills Australia and General Manager – Skills and Engagement at the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council (TLISC), he is well-versed in the regulatory and training needs of existing and emerging industries.
An accomplished strategic operator, Cameron was also a Commercial Director at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) and held various educationally-focused appointments over 10 years of service with the Department of Defence.
Mardi Conduit, Edmund Barton Chambers
Mardi is a commercial barrister at Edmund Barton Chambers. She specialises in construction, engineering and energy law. Prior to joining the bar, Mardi was a partner at Fenwick Elliott Grace and General Counsel for a public company, E&A Limited. Mardi is a current Board Member of the Construction Industry Training Board, Lincoln College and serves on the Department of Treasury and Finance Procurement Governance Committee. Mardi actively balances the needs of stakeholders and brings strategic insight and foresight informed by industry knowledge and experience.
Kelly Dawson-Fitzpatrick, Hydro-Jet Solutions Australia (MBA)
Kelly is the Operations Manager & Director of Adelaide plumbing company, Hydro-Jet Solutions Australia. With a Contractors Licence, a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), she has also completed her Executive Ready qualifications with Women in Leadership Australia.
With a passion for the future of the plumbing and construction industries, Kelly is dedicated to supporting the training and education of both current and future tradespeople. Her advocacy also extends to encouraging more women to pursue careers in these traditionally male-dominated fields.
Will Frogley, Master Builders Association SA (MBA)
AS CEO of the Master Builders Association, Will uses his experience and qualifications in journalism, finance and politics to work collaboratively with key stakeholders and deliver results for South Australia’s building and construction industry. Will is a board Member of the Construction Industry Training Board and Master Builders Insurance Brokers.
Stuart Gordon, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union
Stuart Gordon has over 30 years’ experience working in the manufacturing industry, including 20 years with the Australian Workers Union ((AWU).
Stuart held Director positions in Printing and Media Superannuation funds between 2005 and 2019. He also chaired the Benefits and Insurance Claims Committee at Media Super and is currently a member of the South Australian Skills Commission
In his current position, Stuart provides advice to business and employees regarding skills and assessment in award classifications, negotiates Enterprise Agreements and advocates in the South Australian Employment Tribunal and Australian Fair Work Commission. In addition, Stuart’s work encompasses promoting and monitoring compliance with workplace law and investigating breaches of the Fair Work Act (2009). Stuart also liaises with Local and Federal Government.
Stuart has held multiple union committee positions. Currently he serves on the AMWU National and State Councils and Conference, as a long-standing member of the Construction Portable Long Service Board.
Gary Henderson, Australian Workers’ Union (AWU)
Gary represents workers’ industrial and workers compensation interests across South Australia in various “Blue Collar” industries within the AWU’s coverage including the oil and gas, civil construction, local government and cement manufacturing.
He was a member of the CITB Board between 2010-2019 and is a member of the SA Skills Commission Construction, Mining and Energy Industry Skills Council.
Gary also worked as a carpenter on various multi storey building sites in the metropolitan area before joining local government as a Building and Maintenance employee prior to joining the AWU.
Erin Hennessy, BAE Systems
Erin is an Early Careers Coordinator at BAE Systems Australia and a key part of driving diversity in the apprenticeship intakes. Prior to her current role with BAE Systems, Erin was the Project Coordinator/Mentor for the ‘Women In Defence Pathways program’, a pilot program designed to provide opportunities to women looking to enter the electrical trade industries. Erin was a union official for eight years at the CEPU representing the plumbing trade industries and construction industries. A plumber by trade, Erin has worked on a number of major sites within the construction industry and is passionate about opening up opportunities for others and helping to create a more inclusive industry through supporting the training and safety of current and future tradespeople.
Stephen Knight, Housing Industry Association (HIA)
Stephen’s career in the building industry spans more than 50 years. Commencing with 15 years as a draftsman followed by a long and successful career as a builder.
Starting with home renovations and new homes and progressing in later years to affordable housing projects and apartment buildings for social welfare entities.
For the past 7 years Stephen has been the Executive Director of the Housing Industry Association SA where his role is managing the commercial interests of the association and also, more importantly, advocating for members and more broadly representing the residential housing industry.
Cassie Manser, Capture Culture
Cassie Manser, a proud South Australian, attributes her early introduction to the construction industry to the influence of her family business. Her extensive career includes significant roles on the National Broadband Network (NBN) build and with Laing O’Rourke, where she worked on the Future Submarine Project, Defense strategic pursuits, and project establishment within the NSW rail and tunnelling portfolio.
As the Managing Director and Principal Business Partner at Capture Culture, Cassie provides holistic consulting services in people and risk management, specialising in the construction and manufacturing sectors. Her leadership expertise spans specialist areas in Workplace Health and Safety (WHS), Human Resources (HR), Strategy and Transformation, Wellbeing, Industry Participation, and Diversity & Inclusion, as well as extensive support in leadership coaching and governance.
Cassie holds a Bachelor of Science (Anatomical Science & Psychology), a Master of Business Administration, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Additionally, she serves as a committee member for the South Australian Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and chairs its Mentoring Program and is the chair of Building Women Ltd, showcasing her dedication to fostering growth and equity within the industry.
Rebecca Pickering, Director, Commercial and Infrastructure Pty Ltd
Rebecca is a strategic leader and business professional with over 27 years of experience in the commercial building, civil infrastructure, and construction industries. She is currently the South Australian Director of Commercial & Infrastructure Pty Ltd (C&I), a specialist advisory firm delivering cost management, quantity surveying, superintendent, and contract administration services across infrastructure, land development, utilities, and water sectors.
Rebecca previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Contractors Federation SA (CCF SA), the peak body representing South Australia’s civil construction sector, and as Executive Director of Civil Apprenticeships and Careers Ltd (CACL), an industry-led Group Training Organisation established to support employment and training pathways for civil apprentices.
Rebecca has built her career across all levels of the construction industry, from principal contractors and subcontractors to public and private clients and education providers, earning a reputation for practical leadership and effective cross-sector collaboration. Her experience spans both private enterprise and not-for-profit organisations, where she has held executive roles leading workforce development and training initiatives tailored to the needs of the civil construction sector.
A committed advocate for skills development and inclusive participation, Rebecca has established and led partnerships with schools, universities, TAFEs, training organisations, and employment networks. Her ability to connect government, industry, and community stakeholders has helped deliver future-focused training pathways that respond to both current workforce needs and long-term industry sustainability.
With a values-led leadership style and deep local insight, Rebecca brings strategic thinking and practical experience to her every role she holds, helping to shape policies and programs that deliver real outcomes for South Australian workers, employers and the broader construction industry.