Speakers
Please note: Not all conference speakers are represented on this page.
Peter Harris
Secretary, Commonwealth Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Peter's portfolio includes the ABC, SBS, Australia Post and the National Broadband Network Company (NBN Co).
Mr Harris has previously served as Secretary of the Victorian Government agencies responsible for Sustainability and the Environment; Primary Industries and Public Transport. He has also worked for the Ansett-Air New Zealand aviation group and as a consultant on transport policy.
His career with the government started in 1976 with the Department of Overseas Trade and included periods with the Treasury; Finance; the Prime Minister’s Department and Transport; and he worked for two years in the Prime Minister’s Office on secondment from the Prime Minister’s Department as a member of then Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s personal staff.
Glenys Beauchamp, PSM
Secretary, Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
Glenys Beauchamp was appointed Secretary, Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government on 21 December 2010. Following machinery of government changes on 14 December 2011, Arts and Sport functions were included in the new Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport.
Prior to this appointment she was a Deputy Secretary in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet oversighting the rollout of the infrastructure components of the Government’s Stimulus Plan.
Glenys has also served as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. In this role, she was awarded the Public Service Medal for co-ordinating Australian Government support for the 2009 Victorian bushfires.
Glenys has also had significant experience across a range of social policy areas in the ACT Government.
In addition to an economics degree from the Australian National University, she has an MBA from the University of Canberra.
Dr Paul Grimes, PSM
Secretary, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Dr Paul Grimes was appointed Secretary of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities on 20 June 2011 after first joining the Department as Acting Secretary in September 2010.
Dr Grimes joined the department from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, where he had been Associate Secretary (Domestic Policy). Prior to this, Dr Grimes was General Manager of the Budget Group in the Department of Finance and Deregulation. Dr Grimes has also served as the Chief Executive of the ACT Department of Treasury and, earlier, as Deputy Under Treasurer in the South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance.
Helen Silver
Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victoria
Helen Silver is Secretary of Victoria’s Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC). In this role she leads the Department and Victorian Public Service (VPS), in advising the Premier and Government of Victoria. As part of this work she plays a critical role in running an effective Cabinet process for the Government.
Helen is also Chair of the State Coordination and Management Council, the principal whole-of-government coordinating body for the VPS. In this capacity Helen provides leadership to more than 35,000 staff in the VPS, and more than 200,000 employees in the public sector more generally.
Yehudi Blacher
Vice President, IPAA and Former Victorian Secretary, Department of Planning and Community Development
Yehudi Blacher, formerly Victorian Secretary, Department of Planning and Community Development, retired on 5 September 2011.
As a Victorian Fellow of IPAA, Yehudi has contributed to the Institute by providing advice on the strategic direction and programming of IPAA Victoria as well as regularly speaking at IPAA Victoria events.
Mr Yehudi Blacher was appointed as the first Secretary of the newly established Department for Victorian Communities in December 2002, this was renamed the Department of Planning and Community Development in 2007. In this capacity he was responsible for 15 business units with approximately 600 staff and a budget of $800m, providing advice to eight Ministers on a wide range of areas. These include sport, recreation and Commonwealth Games, local government, community strengthening initiatives, volunteering, multicultural affairs, Indigenous policy, women’s policy and youth affairs.
Prior to this appointment, Yehudi was Deputy Secretary in the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, where he had responsibility for providing advice to the Premier on matters such as natural resources, and infrastructure policy, and on a broad range of strategic intergovernmental and public sector initiatives.
Fran Thorn
IPAA President, Victoria and Former Secretary, Department of Health
Fran Thorn, formerly the Secretary of the Department of Health, retired in January 2011. The role was created in August 2009 to ensure an integrated approach to health, mental health and aged care.
Between 2007 and 2009, Fran was Secretary of the Department of Human Services, the predecessor to the Department of Health and which encompassed health, community services, housing, aged care, disability and emergency management.
Fran has held a range of other senior positions within the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Prior to that – Fran worked as Director of KPMG Consulting with a focus on the education sector and Government. In 2006 - she was elected President of the Victorian branch of the Institute of Public Administration Australia
Pam Davoren
Deputy Director-General, Policy and Cabinet, Chief Minister and Cabinet Directorate, ACT Government
Pam Davoren is Deputy Director-General Policy and Cabinet in the ACT Chief Minister and Cabinet Directorate where she leads development of across government strategy and policy, advice and support for Cabinet and intergovernmental relations.
She has previously held senior executive leadership positions in public sector management, industrial relations and Cabinet-related roles. Before this she worked in legal policy in the ACT Attorney General’s portfolio, with a period as Director of the then ACT Human Rights Office.
During 5 years in the Victorian Public Service she worked in the Office of the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity, investigating and conciliating discrimination complaints under Victorian and Commonwealth laws. She worked in the Australian Public Service earlier in her career. She has degrees in anthropology and law.
Debra Unsworth
Assistant Commissioner, Australian Taxation Office
As a leader, Debra has been involved with the development and implementation of strategy across a range of significant changes in areas ranging from business and payment system development, legal and insolvency cases in the advanced stages of debt recovery action, superannuation and a major project re-designing payment processes as part of Tax Reform.
Debra is currently Assistant Commissioner in the Client Account Services Business Line. She has responsibility for Enterprise Work Management, including the capture of all forms and payments, workflow and work allocation within the ATO. Debra is also currently responsible for the delivery of projects that support the shift to electronic lodgement and payment. The portfolio has over 1300 staff located over 8 geographic locations.
Debra is based in Albury, NSW.
Matina Jewell
Author and Former Australian Army Major
A star graduate from the Australian Army’s prestigious Royal Military College Duntroon, Matina Jewell has a decorated military career. She has earned eight war medals, tracked militia leaders in the Solomons, fast-roped out of Navy helicopters and boarded smuggler ships in the Arabian Gulf. She also served on operations with the American Navy Seals and Australian Special Forces.
Speaking Arabic and Bahasa Indonesian, she has a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Project Management, is a qualified Navy Diver, and has represented Australia in multiple sports.
Patrick McCormick
General Manager, Online Collaboration and Citizen Engagement Strategic, Communication Branch Department of Justice
As General Manager, Online Collaboration and Citizen Engagement in the Strategic Communication Branch of the Department of Justice, Pat is managing a business transformation program of internal and external online initiatives and providing advice and analysis on Gov 2.0 policy and effective use of new technology and social media across the Justice portfolio.
Prior to joining the Department of Justice in December 2009, Pat was principal policy adviser at the State Services Authority where he managed the development of a Victorian Public Service Innovation Action Plan for the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Previously Pat worked as a senior consultant at the Nous Group, a management consultancy providing expertise in strategy and public policy, information management and technology, organisational capability and leadership. Before relocating to Australia in 2006, Pat worked as a government CIO and ICT industry executive in the Boston area.
Pat has a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California Berkeley.
Lachlan Bruce
Chief Executive Officer, Regional Development Victoria
Lachlan Bruce commenced in the Victorian Public Service as a graduate engineer and worked in water and natural resource management for the first 5 years of his career.
In 1995 he moved into investment attraction and industry development, working with Victoria’s service-based, manufacturing and information technology industries.
From 2002 to 2004, Lachlan managed the Victorian Government’s $370 million Regional Infrastructure Development Fund and led the $70 million Natural Gas Extension Program that saw 34 Victorian towns reticulated with natural gas.
In 2004 he moved to lead the development of Melbourne’s new 5000 seat, six star green star convention centre. In 2009 he was appointed Deputy Chief Executive of South Australia’s Department of Trade and Economic Development.
Earlier this year, Lachlan returned to Victoria to take up the position of Chief Executive of Regional Development Victoria where he has responsibility for rural and regional infrastructure, community development and recovery activities associated with the recent Victorian floods and the 2009 bushfires.
Professor Ian Goulter
Former Vice-Chancellor, Charles Sturt University
Professor Ian Goulter was Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University from 2001-2011. Prior to taking up the position at Charles Sturt University he was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Higher Education) at Swinburne University of Technology (1997-2001).
Professor Goulter is a Civil Engineer by profession. Following the award of his Bachelor of Engineering (1st class honours) from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand in 1974, he studied in the United States on a Fulbright Scholarship, receiving his Master of Science and PhD degrees from the University of Illinois in 1977 and 1979 respectively.
As well as working as a professional engineer in New Zealand, his professional expertise includes 11 years teaching and undertaking research at the University of Manitoba, Canada, consulting and teaching in Thailand, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Spain and senior administrative positions at Central Queensland University and Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne.
His area of expertise is water resources systems analysis. He has published over 70 refereed journal articles and 80 conference papers in areas varying from reservoir operations to reliability of water supply systems. He has received a number of awards for both his teaching and research.
Professor Percy Allan
Principal, Percy Allan & Associates Pty Ltd
Percy Allan lives in Sydney and advises on public policy, finance and management.
He has helped national and local governments in China, India, Thailand, Mongolia, Philippines, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and the Pacific Islands to reform their financial management.
Australian work includes a financial audit of the Northern Territory, a national inquiry into builders warranty insurance, a major report on the financial sustainability of local government in NSW and individual financial reviews of a dozen local councils.
In 1996 Percy was awarded an Order of Australia for his contribution to public sector reform while he was Secretary (Head) of the NSW Treasury between 1985 and 1994.
James Cameron
Chief Executive Officer of the National Water Commission
James Cameron is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Water Commission, Australia’s national, independent water reform agency.
Mr Cameron joined the Commission in October 2009 and was appointed as CEO in October 2011. Prior to joining the Commission, he held a number of senior management roles in the Australian Government’s communications portfolio, including responsibility for telecommunications, broadcasting, information and communications technology and arts and sport policy.
James holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies.
Cr Mark Byatt
Wodonga Mayor
Mark has lived in the area for the majority of his life; with a rural upbringing, his employment background comprises over 35 years working across a number of industry sectors. Mark has undertaken post-graduate studies to achieve a Master of Education (Leadership & Management) and he holds a Degree in Education and the prestigious Chair Academy leadership qualification. Mark was elected Mayor in November, 2009.
Tracey Squire
Director of Economic Development and Tourism, Albury City
on behalf of EVOCITIES
With more than 15 years private sector experience in finance, investment, insurance and development, Tracey commenced work in the Economic Development field in 1999, first with the Victorian State Government and then transitioning to Local Government. Having worked with Alpine Shire in Victoria and AlburyCity in NSW she has an appreciation of the Economic Development challenges faced by both rural and regional communities.
Tracey's work has primarily focussed on tourism strategy, marketing, product and infrastructure development; resident and investment attraction (retail, commercial and industrial) and facilitation; infrastructure development, and data and statistical research to support strategic planning. Tracey has been Albury City's representative on the Evocities Steering Committee for the past two years and oversees the secretariat functions of its operations.
Judy Charlton
Director, Corporate Services, Albury City Council
Judy is Director Corporate Services at AlburyCity Council. Previously she has worked in HR roles at AlburyCity and the Victorian Public Service, and in IT positions at Telstra.
Judy has the following qualifications Bachelor of Applied Science (EDP), Graduate Certificate Public Sector Management, Masters Human Resource Management, Diploma of Government (Financial Management) and Company Directors Diploma
Judy is a current board member of the NSW Local Government Managers Association.
Neil Ward
Director, Indigenous Engagement, Murray-Darling Basin Authority
Neil has over twenty five years’ experience working in land management agencies in south eastern Australia and the Northern Territory, primarily focussing on integrated approaches to conservation and natural resource management. He has held State-wide policy-level positions as well as regionally-based operational roles which have ensured he has maintained a practical understanding of land and water management issues.
With the realisation many years ago that meaningful Indigenous involvement was integral to good environmental outcomes, since 1990 Neil has been working to increase the level of Indigenous engagement and empowerment in natural resource management. His current role with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority is to facilitate Indigenous people’s engagement in the discussion about the future management of water in the Murray-Darling Basin. One of the methods to do this is through Use-and-Occupancy mapping, a social science-based tool which can assist Indigenous people in articulating their contemporary relationship with land and water. This is aimed at helping to improve the dialogue between professional land managers and Indigenous people. Recently, Neil has also been investigating the implications of the concept of ‘cultural flows’ as a way involving Indigenous communities in water management.
Carolynne James
Executive Director of the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC)
Carolynne has been the Executive Director of the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC) since 2009. Her role is to represent the common interests of seven northern Sydney councils and to manage and develop collaborative projects and services on their behalf.
She has high level experience in strategic and policy advice to state and local government with roles with the Northern Territory Parliament, the City of Sydney Council, NSW Parliament, the NSW Cabinet and NSW Department of Primary Industries. Carolynne has also worked as a private consultant on projects such as the Local Government Association’s Independent Inquiry into the Financial Sustainability of NSW Local Government in 2006.
Carolynne is the Convenor of the NSW ROCs Network - which brings together the 17 ROCs operating across NSW. NSROC, in combination with the Australian Centre for Excellence in Local Government, has just released an audit of NSW ROC operations given increasing interest from State and Federal Governments in the capacity of ROCs as regional mechanisms for consultation and other coordination activities.
Carolynne holds a Degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics and a Masters in Administrative Law and Policy.
James Davis
Manager of Economic Development, City of Wagga Wagga
James has worked in Local Government for twenty years and in private enterprise for eight. He holds a Master in Planning and Diploma in Government Financial Services. In recent years he has enjoyed the benefits of attending the Australian Graduate School of Management, Advanced Development Program. Another aspect to James' portfolio was a presentation to the International Planning Congress in Wellington New Zealand on how improvement to social amenity and infrastructure can inspire economic and community development.
James recognises Local Government has a unique role as a catalyst for capacity building in social, economic and environmental partnerships projects.
Geraldine Kennett
Executive Director, IPAA Victoria
Geraldine Kennett specialises in organisation learning and professional development for association members. She is the Institute for Public Administration Australia’s (IPAA) Executive Director where she is responsible for the development and management of a range of professional development programs for Victoria’s public servants. She was previously the Institute’s Program Director and Australian Industry Group’s Membership Strategy Manager, where she shaped the business development of the association’s membership. She was a council member for the Australian Human Resource Institute (AHRI) from 2005-2007 and a board member of Charles Sturt University from 2006-2008. Geraldine is currently on the Board of Multicultural Arts Victoria. In the past Geraldine worked as a professional development manager for AHRI, a lecturer in the school of management for Central Metropolitan College of TAFE and as a business and human resource manager for Myer Stores Ltd.
Paul Doorn
Chief Executive Officer, IPAA New South Wales
Paul Doorn is the Chief Executive Officer for the Institute of Public Administration Australia (NSW Division). The Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) is the professional association for people interested in government reform, policy issues, trends, best practice and innovation in public sector management. In this role, Paul aims to enhance the relevance, integrity, reputation and intellectual base of the public sector. Prior to joining the Institute as CEO, Paul was responsible for managing innovative public-private partnerships for the delivery of school education programs with the Abu Dhabi Council in the United Arab Emirates. Paul held the position of Senior Advisor for the Abu Dhabi Education Council. Prior to that he worked for the NSW Department of Education and Training, where he was involved in curriculum development for both international and NSW school education programs.
Tamara Cutcliffe
Executive Director, IPAA Australian Capital Territory
Tamara Cutcliffe is the Executive Director of the Institute of Public Administration of Australia’s ACT Division and publisher of the Public Administration Today quarterly magazine. Prior to joining IPAA, Tamara was Director of the Gateway Review Team within the Department of Finance and Deregulation, responsible for managing assurance reviews on high risk projects and programs across the Commonwealth Government. She has over 10 years experience in Finance including 5 years managing special financial claims and 3 years coordinating an IDC on asbestos related diseases. For over 15 years Tamara has been a member of the Canberra Evaluation Forum Facilitation Group, which runs 10 monthly information sessions on Evaluation to members. Tamara has an MBA from UNE and a BSc (Australian Environmental Studies) from Griffith University.
* Please note: Not all conference speakers are represented on this page.
