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New directors for Outback Stores

March 6, 2026

The Federal Government has appointed three new Directors to the board of Outback Stores Pty Ltd.

Carly Forrest, Geoffrey Thomas and Brian Wyborn all bring extensive experience to their roles.

Ms Forrest is a proud Mandandanji woman and a leader in community engagement, strategic business management and governance.

She is dedicated to advancing opportunities for First Nations communities and serves on the Boards of Deadly Science, Munimba-ja Arts and SciStarter Australia.

Mr Thomas has more than 20 years’ board experience as a Non-Executive Director, Advisory Board, Audit and Risk Committee Member as well as Supply Chain Executive Director.

He is currently a Strategic Advisor at Supply Chain and Industrial Property Advisory firm, TMX.

Mr Wyborn is a proud Torres Strait Islander and Papua New Guinea man with more than 15 years’ experience in the public and private sectors including in investments, governance and strategic leadership.

Geoffrey Thomas has more than 20 years’ board experience.

Mr Wyborn is currently Chief Investment Officer at Aboriginal Investment NT.

Outback Stores is a not-for-profit Commonwealth-owned company which improves access to affordable and healthy food for remote First Nations communities by providing food supply, store management and support services.

The three new Directors will be on the Outback Stores board for three years, on a part-time basis.

Brian Wyborn is currently Chief Investment Officer at Aboriginal Investment NT.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy congratulated Ms Forrest, Mr Thomas and Mr Wyborn on their appointments to the Board of Outback Stores.

“Their expertise in community engagement, supply chain logistics, governance and strategic leadership will bring valuable insight and perspectives to Outback Stores as it continues to deliver important work in remote First Nations communities, including our Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme,” she said.

Peter Rowe

Peter Rowe leads First Nations News as Editor, with over three decades of experience across international newsrooms, digital platforms and media strategy roles. For the past 20 years, he’s worked in Australia – reporting, editing and advising on stories that shape public debate.