Our Team
Robyn Haig Director of Regional Development
Prior to joining RDA DDSW, Robyn was Managing Board Member for the Chinchilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry and has previously held roles in CSG Drilling and Civil Construction in the Surat Basin.
Originally from outside of Eulo in the Paroo Shire Robyn has previously worked for Queensland Government Departments of Natural Resources and Primary Industries, Regional Natural Resource Management, Landcare and Local Government (Tourism & Community Development) in Cunnamulla, Charleville and Quilpie areas.
Robyn brings experience in community consultation and strategic planning through to delivery and is dedicated to working to ensure the long-term strength of regional economy and community.
Driven by the strength of energy projects in the Surat Basin she has experience with Liveability impacts of large scale projects and has experience working with them to deliver positive outcomes for local community, such as business and workforce programs, community events and legacy projects. She has a particular focus on procurement and ensuring local content for major projects in the region along with building local business capacity and resilience.
Robyn, her husband Damien and their two children operate a small beef cattle grazing property outside Chinchilla in the Western Downs.
David New
Employment Facilitator - Darling Downs Local Jobs Program
An experienced marketing professional with a passion for business development via employer, government and community stakeholder engagement, David joined RDA-DDSW in September 2022.
After seven years operating a London-based marketing agency servicing global brands, David spent more than two decades in the UK as an entrepreneur in the tech, music and hospitality industries.
Upon returning to Australia in 2017 he took up a Business Development role for the Darling Down’s leading Employment Services Provider where he led numerous workforce development initiatives that benefited those most disadvantaged in our communities.
A member of Toowoomba Regional Council’s Multicultural Advisory Committee, he is an enthusiastic advocate for the contribution New Australians can make to our region’s social and economic development. His work assisting hundreds of migrants and refugees into employment was recognised with a Commendation from the Queensland Government Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs in 2021.
David grew up in Melbourne and has a BA in Politics and International Relations from the University of Reading and a Master’s in Business from the University of Kent.
Kym Kanofski
Support Officer - Darling Downs Local Jobs Program
Kym is the Support Officer for the Darling Downs Local Jobs Program and has lived in the Toowoomba region for more than 20 years.
Kym worked in the Early Childhood Education sector for 16 years before moving on to work in Employment Services, where she has around 7 years of experience.
She holds a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Studies, as well as a Certificate III in Medical Administration.
Lauren Russell
Project Officer - Toowoomba Regional Jobs Committee
Lauren commenced with RDA-DDSW in mid 2020 as the Projects Officer to help facilitate the Toowoomba Regional Jobs Committee.
She is a Certified Practicing Project Manager with university qualifications in electrical and civil engineering, and business management.
Lauren likes to focus on turning words into actions and finding solutions to complex problems.
She has spent much of her life in regional areas of Queensland (Toowoomba, Gympie, Gladstone, Mackay, Cairns and Weipa) and believes in harnessing the power of community to create places that we love to live, work and share with our family and friends.
