27 September 2023

SA Senior Appointments

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Toohey to Defence SA

Major General Kathryn Toohey has been appointed a member of the State’s key defence agency, Defence SA.

With more than 35 years as an ex-Army signals corps officer Major General Toohey has been Capability Liaison Officer for Defence in Europe and assigned directorship of the Capability and Technology Management College.

As Director-General Integrated Capability Development, she has had responsibility for varied Australian Defence Force projects.


Bray to child protection

Senior public servant Jackie Bray has been appointed the new Chief Executive of South Australia’s Department for Child Protection.

Ms Bray (pictured) is currently the Head of the Office for the Early Years within the Department for Education and is to start her five-year term on 1 June.

Public Service Commissioner Erma Ranieri is to continue as Interim Child Protection Chief Executive in the meantime.

Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard said Ms Bray had demonstrated clear leadership and a serious commitment to improving lives, often in very challenging circumstances.


Swann to Deputy Chief

The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) has announced the appointment of Jeff Swann as Deputy Chief Officer.

The announcement came ahead of the current Deputy Chief Officer, Paul Fletcher’s retirement following 38 years of service with the MFS.

MFS Chief Officer Michael Morgan said Mr Swann’s (pictured) 23 years of experience in firefighting and strong executive credentials align perfectly with the role’s responsibilities

“Mr Swann’s commitment to service, the community and his collaborative approach to leadership are qualities that have earned him immense respect within the MFS,” Mr Morgan said.


New Board for Museum

SA Museum has announced three new Members of the South Australian Museum Board with a new Chair of the Museum’ Foundation Board.

The new members are scientist and author Professor Chris Daniels (pictured) ; University of South Australia’s Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington and incoming Chair of the Museum’s Aboriginal Partnership Committee original Vicki Wilson.

The revised Board, which is led by Chair Kim Cheater, now has seven regarded members.

The Museum acknowledged the contribution of outgoing Board Member, Ms Amanda Duthie as well as Dr Mary Sutherland who stepped down from her role as Chair of the Museum Foundation after the maximum nine-year term.

Current Foundation Board Member, Andrew Carmichael, has been endorsed as her successor and commenced as Chair in April 2023


Child Protection group chosen

New members have been appointed to the South Australian Child Protection Expert Group to help Professor Leah Bromfield and the State Government develop a long-term vision to transform the State’s child protection system

Members with the Group are Professor Leah Bromfield (Chair and pictured); Adjunct Professor Muriel Bamblett, Victoria; Dr Megan Crawford, Queensland; Professor Sharon Dawe, Griffith University; Dr Robyn Miller, MacKillop Family Services; Associate Professor Melissa O’Donnell; Claire Ralfs;Nerida Saunders, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Executive Director; Simon Schrapel; and Shirley Young; as well as extra members from the Government.


Verschoor joins Heritage Council

Former Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor has been appointed Chair of the South Australian Heritage Council.

Having delivered some of the most significant cultural events in the state during her time as Chief Executive of the Adelaide Fringe and Adelaide Festival in 2018, Ms Verschoor also produced the Adelaide Festival of Ideas.

She is to commence her new role this month for the next three years.


Bromfield for child protection

Professor Leah Bromfield has been appointed Director and Chair of the new advisory group for child protection.

Professor Bromfield (pictured) is to chair the South Australian Child Protection Expert Group, which followed the ‘Trust in Culture’ report on SA’s child protection system in 2022.

Appointments to the group are expected to be made in coming weeks.

Professor Bromfield said the group would transform an approach to child protection across the whole of Government.


Strickland to ICAC

Philip Strickland has been appointed Inspector in the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) under Schedule 4 of the ICAC Act.

As Inspector, Mr Strickland (pictured) will conduct an annual review of the Commission’s operations and investigate any complaints received relating to the Commission or the Office for Public Integrity or the Ombudsman.

He was appointed to the position in December 2022.


Beach review panel named

The Adelaide Beach Management Review has formed an independent Advisory Panel to oversee a review of the way Adelaide’s coastline is managed.

The review is expected to commence in early 2023 and aims to find sustainable solutions to coastal erosion across Adelaide’s metropolitan beaches.

Panel members include Mark Searle, Les Wanganeen, Sarah Smith (pictured), Professor Beverley Clarke, Professor Nicholas Harvey, and Professor Michael Young.


Jessica for Brand SA

Jessica Douglas has been appointed manager of Brand SA, part of the Department for Trade and Investment.

University of Adelaide’s current marketing manager, Ms Douglas (pictured) has a Master of Marketing from the University of South Australia with experience in Coca-Cola Amatil as a trade marketing executive.

She is to begin as Brand SA’s manager next month (November).


Wood to work Invest SA

Former Australian Public Service Consul in Japan, Christopher Wood has been appointed Executive Director of the newly re-established Invest SA.

As a member of the APS, Mr Wood served as Consul and Trade and Investment Commissioner in Sapporo, Osaka and Fukuoka, Japan

Currently Chief Executive of the Commonwealth’s Regional Development Australia, Mr Wood is to begin his new role in November.


Hocking to Parks

Michelle Hocking has been appointed General Manager of the Cleland Wildlife Park by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Ms Hocking (pictured) has previously worked as General Manager of the Adelaide Showground as well as spending many years in the State Government as General Manager of Regional Tourism in the South Australian Tourism Commission.

She will now be instrumental marketing Cleland and the wider Adelaide Hills as a leading nature-based tourism precinct.


New faces at Outback Authority

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) has appointed Jan Ferguson as Presiding Member of the Outback Communities Authority (OCA) until June 2025.

Ms Ferguson (pictured) has been leading the OCA for three-months to allow nominations to take place.

The Department has also appointed Ngatina Sylvanius and Leila Day to serve as OCA members to June 2025.

Ms Sylvanius is a fifth generation community member of Beltana, serving as Beltana Progress Association President since 2012 and Ms Day is an Andamooka local, an opal gouger, artist, tour guide and Chair of the SA Arid Lands Kingoonya Landscape Group.

The appointments will be supported by existing members Trevor Wright, Sam Johnson and Tony Vaughan.


Ciccarello to Art Gallery

Vincent Ciccarello has been appointed the new Head of Philanthropy and Enterprise at the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Mr Ciccarello (pictured) is to join the Gallery after a nine-year tenure as Managing Director of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

He is currently Director of the Adelaide UNESCO City of Music Board, is on the University of Adelaide’s Creativity and Culture Advisory Board, Treasurer of the Arts Industry Council of South Australia and a member of the Music Education Strategy Advisory Panel.


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