NT COGSO Executive and Staff

Ruth completed her schooling in the Queensland public education system. This set her up to go on to successful post graduate studies, and she holds a PhD in data analytics in complex systems.

Her children are thriving at Tennant Creek Primary School, where she is Secretary of the School Council.

In her professional life, Ruth is a trusted advisor to government and corporate clients, providing support around strategy, governance and funding. Throughout her career, she has focused on working with inspiring, passionate teams to create meaningful outcomes. She is looking forward to continuing to do the same in her role with NTCOGSO.

Ruth believes that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive through access to quality education, and is committed to using her skills and experience to support NTCOGSO, parents and children throughout the NT.

Wayne is a Parent Member on the Tennant Creek High School Council and has served there for eleven years. Previously Wayne served on Tennant Creek Primary School Council for over ten years. Wayne and wife Karyn have four children and two have completed their entire primary and high school education in Tennant Creek, while two remain at Tennant Creek High School.

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.

Richelle has two 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 Treasurer of Nemarluk School Council and Parent Member of Henbury School. In her fifth 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 the Tennant Creek High School Council and has served there for eleven years. Previously Wayne served on Tennant Creek Primary School Council for over ten years. Wayne and wife Karyn have four children and two have completed their entire primary and high school education in Tennant Creek, while two remain at Tennant Creek High School.

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.

Noela is a Parent Member on the Borroloola School Council and comes from two language groups; Garrwa and Yanyuwa and has spent her entire life in and around Borroloola. Having worked for three years at Borroloola School as a Tutor/Assistant Teacher, Noela has now spent nineteen 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 200 students, from helping them engage in the classroom to helping plan the schools Weekly Culture days.

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.

Simon studied at Monash University and completed a Bachelor of Computing (Robotics and Digital Technology) in 1992, but not before realising that a career in computing was not for him. Involvement with student politics and the student newspaper led to a career in educational book publishing and the subsequent completion of a Graduate Diploma (Editing and Publishing) at RMIT University.

In the late 1990s Simon spent 5 years living and working in Arnhem Land for the Northern Territory Dept of Education publishing bilingual teaching materials. During this time, he visited and provided technical support to many remote Aboriginal communities across the Northern Territory.

Upon leaving Arnhem Land he established Niblock Publishing a publisher of local NT stories and a provider of publishing services.

Simon was an Alderman on the City of Darwin for two terms from 2012 to 2021, sitting on several committees include the Risk Management and Audit committee. He has been a member of the Development Consent Authority and the Chief Minister’s Activate Darwin Advisory Board.

Simon has an active interest in school governance and as chaired the Nightcliff Primary and Darwin High School Boards for over 9 years.  

Simon is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Tanya is an advocate for continual improvement of public education on behalf of families. Tanya previously held Office Bearer positions on Girraween Primary School Council from 2011 to 2020 with Council successful in improving school 
infrastructure, providing more classrooms, upgrading play areas and implementing wellbeing programs to improve student outcomes. Tanya then went on to hold the position of Taminmin Chair.

Tanya considers it critical 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.

Noel lives in the Yirrkala community in north-east Arnhem Land with his family. He has previously served as a Parent Member and Chair on both the Nhulunbuy Primary and Nhulunbuy High School Councils, as well as being NTCOGSO's East Arnhem Representative. Noel is active in engaging with others in north-east Arnhem Land communities and has a focus on working together to build education outcomes for all students.

Fred has lived and worked in the Northern Territory since 1973, including 32 years in Adult Education where Fred has specialised in the development and delivery of adult IT skills in remote locations. Fred was elected Central Regional Council 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 firmly believes that well informed families, engaged in the discussions and decisions that affect and chart their children's experiences and accomplishments at school, are a crucial part of the work that goes on to nurture the potential each student has.

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.

As a vital member of the team at NTCOGSO, Annabel brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as a managerial support specialist. With a strong background in business operations and management, Annabel provides support to the Executive Officer and senior administration, utilising her considerable initiative and independent judgment to ensure that the organisation runs smoothly and efficiently.

Annabel's passion for advocacy ensuring equal opportunities for all schools and students in the Northern Territory make her an invaluable asset to the team.

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.

Chris is working with schools providing governance support and assistance and is looking forward to connecting with all schools across the NT.

Chris has extensive experience in developing and delivering adult education training programs across the Northern Territory. Part of this experience has included VET in schools which was a particular passion of Chris’s.

Chris believes education is the most important part in empowering people to achieve what they want in life and is committed to improving education outcomes for all students in the Northern Territory.

Julie is responsible for providing Northern Territory schools with governance support and assistance to ensure successful governance outcomes.  

With a successful career in finance and a previous position of treasurer on a school board, Julie has the knowledge and passion to ensure NT school governance operates successfully.  

Julie has lived and worked within NT communities and has studied a diploma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, so she has the cultural competencies to ensure a high level of education in the NT is available to every child without discrimination or disadvantage.  

Julie looks forward to working and forming relationships with the staff, students and parents of NT communities.