Aaron Brocken - Chairperson

I was born on the organic blueberry farm I am now regenerating. Growing up, I spent a lot of my time with my Dad at the Earthcare, Richmond’s community garden, and travelling around NSW with him certifying organic farms. I am now passionately dedicated to providing a framework for a local food system that is beneficial for the environment and the community.

Cesidio (Sid) Parissi - Secretary

I’ve been a Board member for the past three years. If re-elected, I am happy to continue in the role of Secretary. I have experience at Lyttleton from 2015 in various capacities having been a volunteer from its inception prior to being a Co-op, and have continued to volunteer as a member from its metamorphasis in 2018 into the wonderful community owned Co-op that it is today. I recommend volunteering at Lyttleton - it's an enriching personal/social experience helping the Co-op and working with lovely people.

Over several decades I have fulfilled the role of Secretary and Public Officer in two Incorporated Associations, and have gained a rich experience in community oriented organisations and their needs over that time from the many and varied activities that I helped organise. Besides my current role as Secretary of Lyttleton Stores Co-op, I am currently a member of two successful local Blue Mountains community groups, Action for Community and Environment (ACE), which began with meetings at Lyttleton's Preserve workshop space, and as an active member of Resilient Blue Mountains.

Steve Garthwin

I'v been a Director of Lyttleton Stores Co-operative since we launched and have decided to retire when my three-year appointment expires at this AGM. I'm doing so for health reasons only, and will reconsider my position after a year or so.

My term on the Board has been rich in positive experiences, knowing that I've contributed to the growth of this awesome community enterprise. It has been a privilege to work with so many excellent people who all share common ethics, vision and commitment. My experience on voluntary boards of other community organisations (including a local independent school) has helped inform me, but any member who has energy, passion for co-operatives, attention to details, and enjoys working in a team could bring their life experience to the role I'm vacating. As a retired teacher, I well know that positive attitude counts more than formal experience when training into a new appointment. Please consider offering yourself for nomination as a Director!

Jacinta Carmichael-Parissi

As co-founder of Lyttleton Stores in 2015, the idea has always been to become a community owned and organised co-operative, providing the space and resources for connection and creativity. Our core values are about nurturing healthy and resilient practices around our food systems, learning and skill sharing, making and creating as well as relating within community. I am so proud of what we have achieved together considering most of these values are at odds with our current capitalist paradigm and that we engage as a business within that system. Challenging no doubt!

I have twice been on the board of directors to fill casual vacancies, but not as an elected director - wanting to leave room for others to have opportunity to contribute since I am very involved already in the management side of Lyttleton Stores Co-op as well. I am hoping this time to be elected to the board so that we can make some very exciting big changes this year to reflect the current needs of our community and the times we have been living through. My experience at Lyttleton is deep and thorough, learning and adapting, reimagining and trying new things, making mistakes and having collective successes all the way. I think there needs to be a balance between consistency and evolution, and my insight to what we have already been through is a valuable voice on the board.

Lyttleton Stores Co-op has for me, been a a life long dream made into a reality with the support and help of our community. I have always felt deeply that we can co-create a thriving and abundant life if we work (and play) together! It has been a joy to be part of so many projects, events and ideas collaborating with wonderful people over the years. I am looking forward to what we do next!

Brett Thompson

I am just reaching my one year milestone as a Director on the Lyttleton's board. As a mid-mountains resident for the last five years Lyttleton's Stores has been a definite landmark and it has been such a privilege to be a little closer to how the cooperative operates, its ambition for the future and the community of makers, growers and customers it brings together.

With a background in creative industries and consulting I have been able to bring to this role a career spent storytelling, simplifying complexity, organising and inspiring deviance. I have enjoyed workshopping ideas with the team and identifying opportunities to evolve and modernise and skills i hope to continue to contribute include digital innovation, marketing and service design. I am looking forward to continuing my term as Director on this board over the next 24 months, building on the work that has been done already and shepherding this cooperative into a more sustainable, resilient business that can continue to inspire change within the community. I also look forward to the fresh ideas a new Director will bring to the table.