New Managers in Roper Gulf Communities

Group of staff standing in front of mural smiling at camera

Pictured left to right: Marc Gardner (CEO), Cameron Ingham (CSM), Leigh Ware (CSM), Aimee Riley (CSM), Paul Avery (CSM), Deanna Kennedy (ACLO), Andreea Caddy (General Manager), Liam Farrell (CSM), Karyn Kalamaras (CSM), Ray Hocking (OM), Cindy Haddow (General Manager) and David Hurst (General Manager). 

Last month Roper Gulf Regional Council welcomed six Council Services Managers to the organisation.

These positions, previously known as Council Services Coordinators, have been reintroduced after an organisational review was conducted in 2022. The review included an extensive staff and stakeholder consultation which was carried out in each of our communities.

The results of the organisational review highlighted the need for a restructure in Council's community offices and the benefit of introducing a managerial role to oversee all services, programs and administrative tasks required of the community offices.

The Council Services Managers are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of all Council services in their respective communities including leading and directing employees and monitoring the delivery of municipal services, community safety, aged care services, youth and recreation services, administration services and contracts. 

Roper Gulf Regional Council would like to congratulate each Council Services Manager on being appointed in the position, some of which are new to the region and some of which already worked at Council or in community. 

The Council Service Managers are: 

  • Liam Farrell, Council Services Manager Barunga & Manyallaluk
  • Leigh Ware, Council Services Manager Beswick & Bulman 
  • Karyn Kalamaras, Council Services Manager Mataranka & Jilkminggan 
  • Cameron Ingham, Council Services Manager Ngukurr 
  • Aimee Riley, Council Services Manager Numbulwar 
  • Paul Avery, Council Services Manager Borroloola 

Chief Executive Officer Marc Gardner noted “With Council’s renewed focus on service delivery and supporting our communities, we a pleased to have appointed a range of great staff to ensure community needs are met and Council service standards are improved across the region.

“We understand that prior to amalgamations in 2008, virtually every community in our Council area had its own Council with a Town Clerk or senior manager who was the ‘go to’ person. These positions were responsible for everything that Council did in each location and ensuring good customer service.

"We want to bring that back, to support our local staff on the ground and improve the value of Council services and infrastructure for our ratepayers and residents.

“Our previous structure was not conducive to productivity, accountability, being proud of our communities and the vast work we undertake. We now look forward to greater dedication to improving the quality of life for all our residents and visitors across the whole Council", Mr Gardner said.

Council is also excited to announce that Ray Hocking has been appointed as Operations Manager and Deanna Kennedy has been appointed as Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer. 

The Operations Manager is another new role as a result of the organisational review and will support the Council Services Managers with carrying out their responsibilities. Ray joins us from the Barkly region and will spend a lot of time travelling between each of the communities in the Roper Gulf region. 

Deanna is a former Councillor for the Nyirranggulung Ward and is a well respected member of the Beswick community. Deanna has worked in a number of Aboriginal Liaison roles previously and her experience and knowledge will prove highly valuable for the organisation. Everyone at Roper Gulf Regional Council is very excited to have her back on board as a staff member.

These positions are critical for the high quality service delivery in the Roper Gulf communities that our constituents deserve and it is exciting to see all positions filled. 

ENDS

Media Contact:

Bethany O’SULLIVAN | Communications Coordinator | (08) 8972 9024