NT COGSO Executive and Staff

Tabby is committed to improving public education and is a strong advocate to the Northern Territory and Australian governments on behalf of families.

'A properly resourced needs-based public education system would greatly benefit our communities, both socially and economically. For every dollar we invest in public education, we save at least ten dollars in our health and welfare budgets.' At the 2021 AGM Tabby was re-elected President for a sixth year. Prior, Tabby held the position of Treasurer and Vice Chair of the Palmerston and Rural Regional Council. With two daughters in senior school, Tabby is a Parent Member of the Taminmin College Board.

In addition, Tabby has also sat on the Northern Territory Board of Studies (NTBOS) as the Parent representative from 30 December 2017 to the present.

Tanya is an advocate for continual improvement of public education on behalf of families. Tanya previously held Office Bearer positions at Girraween Primary from 2011 to 2020 with a very collaborative group of parents, teachers, principal and Invited Members on the team. When Tanya’s children moved on to Middle School she then took on a Parent Member position in their new school.

Tanya considers it vital that the children, parents and wider community have a strong voice within the public schooling system, all working in collaboration to achieve excellent educational outcomes, without discrimination. Together we can do so much.

Richelle has three children who attend government schools and is a born and bred Territorian. Commencing a School Council journey in 2013 at Driver Primary School as Parent Member, later holding the position of Treasurer on Karama Primary School Council and Batchelor Area School Council. Richelle is Chair of the Manunda Terrace Primary School Council and Treasurer of Sanderson Middle School Council. In her fourth year as NTCOGSO Treasurer, Richelle ensures compliance with all financial reporting obligations. Richelle considers parent and community involvement in schools is critical to achieving better outcomes for students.

Wayne is a Parent Member on Tennant Creek High School Council and has served there for nine years. Previously Wayne served on Tennant Creek Primary School Council for several years. He currently has three children across both the primary and high schools. Wayne is a strong believer in the need for parent and community involvement within schools for better and broader outcomes for students. He is also a proud advocate for the Barkly region and ensures Barkly voices are heard by those shaping Territory education.

Noel lives in Yirrkala community and is currently serving on Nhulunbuy Primary and Nhulunbuy High School Councils. Noel is active in engaging with others in communities and has a focus on working together to build education outcomes for all students. As a pilot, Noel provides air operations from Gove with Mission Aviation Fellowship across NE Arnhem and the Top End. This allows him to connect in person with those schools across the East Arnhem region.

Tabetha attended Nakara Preschool and Primary School as a student and currently has a child in Year 6. Tabetha is active as a Parent Member of the School Council and currently Chair at Nakara Primary School, with a strong passion for the importance of parental involvement and voice within the public schooling sector. Tabetha is an advocate for ongoing support required for Children with Special Needs, understanding the necessity for Inclusion within schools, working towards the best outcomes for all students and positively encouraging children to never stop trying.

Noela is a Parent Member on the Borroloola School Council and comes from two language groups; Garrwa and Yanyuwa and has spent her whole life in and around Borroloola. Having worked at Borroloola School as a Tutor/Assistant Teacher for three years, Noela has now spent eighteen years in her current role of Home Liaison Officer, in addition to being an active participant of the School Council. Noela loves her role of assisting and supporting more than 300 students, from helping them engage in the classroom to helping plan the schools Weekly Culture days.

Tanya is an advocate for continual improvement of the public education on behalf of families. Tanya previously held Office Bearer positions at Girraween Primary from 2011 to 2020 with a very collaborative group of parents, teachers, principal and Invited Members on the team. When Tanya’s children moved on to Middle School she then took on a Parent Member position in their new school.

Tanya considers it vital that children, parents and wider community have a strong voice within the public schooling system, all working in collaboration to achieve excellent educational outcomes, without discrimination. Together we can do so much.

Lauren has been involved with various schools in Alice Springs since 1995 when her first child commenced in preschool. Having served on School Councils, committees and fundraising bodies, Lauren currently holds the position of Parent Member on Centralian Senior College Council. With a large family of 6 children with the youngest currently at school, Lauren is passionate about public education both Territory and Australia wide.

Fred was appointed Southern Regional Representative in 2015 and 2016 with a son at Centralian Senior College. Since 2017 Fred has served as an Invited Member on the Executive and is valued for his critical thinking and a creative and innovative approach to curriculum improvement.

Fred taught in TAFE/University for over 25 years and maintains a strong interest in the content, delivery and pedagogy of STEAM/STEM subjects in the NT Schools curriculum. Fred also sits on the Northern
Territory Board of Studies (NTBOS) as an Expert member, term of office: 30 December 2017 to current.

Public Officer
Fred Richardson

1. The Public Officer must ensure that documents are filed with the Commissioner of Consumer Affairs in accordance with sections 23, 28 and 45 of the Act.
2. The Public Officer must keep a current copy of the Constitution of the Council.

Michelle is responsible for supporting and enabling the Executive to fulfil its governance functions in line with NT COGSO policy and constitution. Providing executive leadership, operational management and direction to achieve NT COGSO's Mission, Vision and Strategic Objectives.

With an extensive background in Governance and Compliance, School Business Management, Mediation and having held various positions on Education Boards and Associations, Michelle is a passionate advocate for the provision of high quality education without discrimination and on the basis of equal opportunity for every child.

Michelle has a son in senior secondary and is an Invited Member of two School Councils.

Alice is the central point of contact in relation to governance training, school community engagement, mentoring support and advice to ensure the Governance Training Program outcomes are successfully achieved. 

Previously holding office bearer positions on a School Council combined with a background in business management, project and event management and governance training, Alice is passionate about enabling all school communities to establish and maintain genuine engagement and meaningful partnerships through best practice governance and decision making.

Natasha has relocated to Darwin after working at the Borroloola school for the past nine years. Natasha has held the positions of Chair, Parent Member and Invited Member on the Borroloola School Council. In 2021 Natasha completed a Certificate III in early childhood education.

Natasha believes that education is the key for all children to learn and become independent life-long learners.

Mary-Jay was born and raised in Alice Springs and has recently relocated to Darwin. For the last three years, she has been working in the Northern Territory community services sector. Mary-Jay completed all her schooling in public education in the Northern Territory and in 2019 graduated from Centralian Senior College.

Mary-Jay believes education opens the door to endless possibilities and it’s important that we ensure our young people know they can achieve their aspirations through education.