Meet the Committee

Peter Connolly

Chairman
  1. Place of birth – Galway, Ireland
  2. Family (incl pets) – Wife Katherine, Kids – Archer (7) and Pippa (5), Dog – Chocolate Labrador named Teddy (10)
  3. Length of time living in Connolly – 13 years   
  4. Fun fact about yourself – When I left school, I trained to become a chef.
  5. What is your favourite thing about Connolly – Watching the kids cycling to and from school, the suburb feels so safe.
  6. What would you do to improve Connolly – Upgrade the parks for all ages and abilities to enjoy, including more shade, seating, and some BBQ’s.

Deon Booysen

TREASURER
  1. Place of birth – Transvaal, South Africa
  2. Family – Divorced, 2 sons
  3. Length of time living in Connolly – Approx 4 years
  4. What is your favourite thing about Connolly – I hold pistol shooting medals from the IDPA Africa Championships 2005/2006/2007
  5. What is your favourite thing about Connolly – TREES.
  6. What would you do to improve Connolly – Nothing.

Clint Dedman

Secretary
  1. Place of birth – Perth, Western Australia
  2. Family – Wife Melissa. Kids – Lucas (15), Tyler (13)
  3. Length of time living in Connolly – 22 years   
  4. Fun fact about yourself – I was an extra in a locally made movie that also starred a young up & coming actor, Russell Crowe (well before he became Gladiator).
  5. What is your favourite thing about Connolly – The people. We have great relationships with our neighbours & there is a real community spirit. Also, I love being surrounded by nature!
  6. What would you do to improve Connolly – Encourage people to reach out to their neighbours if they don’t know them and build friendships. It’s a very rewarding experience and helps build a stronger & safer community.

Sharon Brooke

Members Secretary
  1. Place of birth – Bow, London
  2. Family – Husband Craig, Kids – Harriet & Dominic
  3. Length of time living in Connolly – 15 years   
  4. Fun fact about yourself – 24 years in the Royal Auxiliary Airforce Regiment 
  5. What is your favourite thing about Connolly – Its established quite suburb with a great community atmosphere.
  6. What would you do to improve Connolly – It would be great to see a small supermarket back into our shopping centre.

Bernadette Ilsley

Committee Member
  1. Place of birth – Subiaco, Western Australia
  2. Family – husband Chris, son Lucas.
  3. Length of time living in Connolly – 17 years
  4. Fun fact about yourself – I enjoy taking photos for nature, cooking and gardening.
  5. What is your favourite thing about Connolly – is parks and friendly people.
  6. What would you do to improve Connolly – allotment area could become available for people to came along and grow vegetables and flowers.

Jason Hand

Committee Member
  1. Place of birth – Offaly, Ireland
  2. Family – Wife Amy, Kids, Aoife, Cian.
  3. Length of time living in Connolly – 3 years
  4. Fun fact about yourself – I was the youngest qualified rugby union referee in Leinster.
  5. What is your favourite thing about Connolly – It’s a hidden gem and its location.
  6. What would you do to improve Connolly – Park upgrades, BBQ’s and playgrounds.

Michael Chapman

Connolly Links Distribution / Committee Member
  1. Place of birth – Otahuhu, New Zealand.
  2. Family (incl pets) – Wife Teresa, Kids – Abbey and Adam (adult kids), Pet – Romeo the dog
  3. Length of time living in Connolly – 7 years
  4. Fun fact about yourself – Being brought up in Sydney I’m a Rugby League tragic supporting the Penrith Panthers.
  5. What is your favourite thing about Connolly – Supportive friendly community.
  6. What would you do to improve Connolly – Continue to look after the parks.

Reanna Bennett

Connolly Links Editor / Committee Member
  1. Place of birth – Port Macquarie, New South Wales (although I never actually lived there)
  2. Family – My husband’s name is Chris and we have two young children. Our son was born in 2022 and our daughter in 2024.
  3. Length of time living in Connolly – 12 years, two different homes.
  4. Fun fact about yourself – I spent the first few years of my life on Lord Howe Island (off the New South Wales coast) with my parents and brother.
  5. What is your favourite thing about Connolly – Connolly has a nice community feel to it and I love living near the beautiful coast, where I often go to walk.
  6. What would you do to improve Connolly – Upgrade the public open spaces and have at least one park that includes BBQ and toilet facilities.

Bronwyn Taylor

Committee Member
  1. Place of birth – Perth, Western Australia
  2. Family (incl pets) – My husband David, my teenage daughter Emilia (born 2008) and our rescued greyhound Basil make up our family.
  3. Length of time living in Connolly – Lived in Connolly for over three years, though have lived and grown up in the surrounding northern suburbs
  4. Fun fact about yourself – I can touch my nose with my tongue!  I am a coffee and gin snob – depending on the time of the day.
  5. What is your favourite thing about Connolly – It is a beautiful established suburb, with a fabulous sense of community.  We love the location of being close to the coast, near the resort and other great Joondalup amenities.
  6. What would you do to improve Connolly – Would love some more local amenities that we can walk to, rather than driving to neighbouring suburbs.  Would also like to see upgrades to local parks and more street lighting.