Key Initiatives
Local Government CEOs
New CEOs Appointed
The new Chief Executive Officers and directors of Corporate and Community Services for the eight new shire’s created under the Local Government reform process have now been appointed.
The Chief Executives are Jeff Sowiak, (Barkly Shire), Rowan Foley (Central Desert), Ian Bodill (East Arnhem), Wayne Wright (MacDonnell) Michael Berto (Roper Gulf), Mark Goode (Tiwi) Sandra Cannon (Victoria Daly) and Mark Griffioen (West Arnhem). See their profiles below.
The directors of Corporate and Community Services are Lynne Moore (Barkly), Roydon Robertson (Central Desert), Kerry Whiting (East Arnhem), Philippa Major (MacDonell), Catherine Proctor (Roper Gulf), Ian McLay (Tiwi) Greg Arnott (Victoria Daly) and Marc Gardner (West Arnhem).
These are the key appointees to the new shires, who are now working during the transitional stage with managers from the Department of Local Government, Housing and Sport.
In announcing the senior management teams Local Government Minister Rob Knight said they were all high quality recruits, the majority of them Territorians. “We have a challenge ahead but I’m confident together we can implement the reform as seamlessly as possible,” he said.
The Chief Executives and Corporate Services directors have all managed large budgets and bring a broad range of skills and depth of experience to their new jobs. One of their first tasks is finalising the business plans for their community.
Profiles
| Barkly Shire Council | |||
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Jeff Sowiak As a former Chief Executive Officer of the local council on King Island in the Bass Strait Jeff Sowiak is well aware of working in remote locations. PO Box 821 |
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Lynn Moore Lynn Moore possesses a strong background in financial and business management. She has introduced numerous initiatives focusing on positive outcomes for Indigenous people. She has highly developed negotiation and networking skills and the ability to plan strategically plan. Lynn was previously CEO of the Arltarlpilta Community Government Council. |
| Central Desert Shire Council | |||
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Rowan Foley Rowan Foley is an experienced senior manager with recognised leadership qualities who has achieved positive outcomes in dynamic and complex environments. He has a solid track record of consulting and negotiating with clients, government agencies, Traditional Owners and stakeholders. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Parks, Recreation and Heritage and an Associate Diploma in Wilderness, Reserves and Wildlife. PO Box 2257 |
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Roydon Robertson Roydon Robertson has more than 27 years experience as a CEO of four councils. During his local government career he has occupied senior accounting, administrative and management positions. He holds a Master of Business Administration, a Local Government Clerks’ Certificate, and a Certificate in Accountancy, one in Supervision and Human Relations and a Commercial Practice Certificate. He has been a fellow of Local Government Managers Australia since 1986. |
| East Arnhem Shire Council | |||
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Ian Bodill Among the skills possessed by the East Arnhem’s new shire Chief Executive Officer Ian Bodill is his proficiency in Xhosa, one of South Africa’s major tribal languages. PO Box 1060 |
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Kerry Whiting Kerry Whiting held various financial positions in NSW before becoming Director of Corporate Services for the Palmerston City Council in 1997 where he remained for four years. He was Business Manager for Darwin Port Corporation before taking this position. He holds a Bachelor of Business, Master of Accountancy and a Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management. |
| MacDonnell Shire Council | |||
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Wayne Wright Wayne Wright, the Chief Executive Officer of the newly-formed MacDonnell Shire, is looking forward to the challenges of his job. PO Box 5267 |
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Philippa Major Philippa Major has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of legislation impacting on local government. She was previously CEO of the Anmatjere Community Government Council. She has been an active Transition Committee member for Central Desert Shire and has more than 20 years experience working for governments. Philippa holds a Certificate of Teaching, Diploma of Teaching, Graduate Diploma Social Science, Certificate IV Assessment and Workplace Training and has completed part of her Masters degree in Social Ecology. |
| Roper Gulf Shire Council | |||
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Michael Berto Michael Berto regrets that his new role as Chief Executive of the new Roper Gulf Shire will not leave him much time to resume his family’s foster-care role with children at risk. PO Box 1321 |
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Catherine Proctor Catherine Proctor has three years experience working in local government and has a good working knowledge of the Local Government Act. She was previously Financial Manager for the Nyirranggulung Mardrulk Ngadberre Regional Council, where she successfully managed large budgets. Catherine is a certified Accounting Technician and is studying for a degree in Applied Accounting. |
| Tiwi Islands Shire Council | |||
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Mark Goode A chance to further his career in the Northern Territory has taken Mark Goode to the Tiwi Islands. GPO Box 4246 |
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Ian McLay Ian McLay has extensive experience managing budgets and developing systems for accountable reporting. Before his new role Ian was Business Manager at the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre. He has had experience working for various councils in the NT. He holds a Diploma Business Studies and is a Fellow Certified Practising Accountant. |
| Victoria Daly Shire Council | |||
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Sandra Cannon At the age of 22-year-old Sandra Cannon was knocking on doors in big blocks of flats in London as a child protection officer for her local council. PO Box 19 |
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Greg Arnott Greg Arnott has worked in insurance and Local Government management for nearly 10 years. He has strong strategic and leadership skills and extensive experience in executive and financial management and developing and implementing business plans. Until accepting this position, Greg was the CEO of the Angurugu Community Government Council. He holds certificates in Business Management, Workplace Training and Assessment, Occupational Health and Safety Auditing and Business Leadership. |
| West Arnhem Shire Council | |||
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Mark Griffioen As a primary school student Mark Griffioen remembers his class being taken to the local council office near his home town of Grafton so they could learn about local government. GPO Box 4246 |
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Marc Gardner Marc Gardner has a proven track record working in local government and implementing large-scale change projects. He has extensive local government networks within Australia and overseas. He was previously Director of Community Services for the Jabiru Town Council. Marc holds a Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Applied Science and certificates in Fire Management and Workplace Assessment and Training. He is also a Justice of the Peace. |
