Board of Directors

PRESIDENT

David Tuxford, General Manager, Georges River Council

DAVID'S VISION

My priority for the Association has always been the provision of benefits for our members, and the Association’s long-term financial sustainability. Having now served on the board for some 15 years, I continue to strongly advocate for the support of our member networks, who remain at the heart of the Association; the development and delivery of our first class events; and our role in professional development, either through our Management Challenges, leadership courses or training programs.

I represent NSW on the LG Professionals Australia (National) Board as the current President, and ensure the interests of our members is represented at this level and when advocating at the Federal level.

The Association has withstood the financial implications brought on by COVID19 and going forward our balanced business plan will provide positive results. I look forward to the next three year term as we continue to deliver on the strategic plan and the continued growth, popularity and financial viability of the
Association.

VICE PRESIDENT

Craig Swift-McNair, General Manager, Woollahra Municipal Council

GRAIG'S VISION

I was first elected to the LG Professionals, NSW Board in 2018 and it has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my local government career to date.

My philosophy has always been to not be one of the people on the outside throwing criticisms in, but rather be someone who contributes to finding solutions to the challenges that face Local Government in NSW. It is this philosophy that I will continue to carry through to the new LG Professionals, NSW Board.

My vision is to continue to see our association grow from strength to strength and for us to become an even more trusted source of truth and advocacy for the sector. We would achieve this by continuing to collaborate with our members and by providing an innovative program of events, training and networking opportunities, so that we can grow stronger together.

As a General Manager with experience across both regional and metropolitan Councils, I believe I am able to give a voice to a range of perspectives on issues facing Local Government in NSW and I commit to continuing to ensure I listen to and hear what is actually being said by our members.

Being honest, it can often feel that there is a systematic dismantling of Local Government taking place in NSW, with change after change being imposed upon us. However, we all know that Councils are one of the key reasons a community thrives and it is this level of impact that drives me to continue to work in this incredibly rewarding sector.

DIRECTOR

Alison Balind, Director Corporate and Community Services, Bland Shire Council

ALISON'S VISION

As a Local Government practitioner with more than 15 years’ experience it has become abundantly clear that one of the key components to improve community outcomes is having a well-developed and engaged Council workforce.

Organisations such as LG Professionals NSW actively work to support those within the sector to advance their careers through professional development, networking and learning activities. I have previously been directly involved in Integrated Planning & Reporting and Governance Executive with LG Professionals as well as regional networks within the Riverina region.

Throughout my time in local government I have been fortunate to work with a diverse group of specialists addressing issues and advocating on behalf of the broader LG family through my involvement with the Performance Excellence Program, LG Pro National Research group and state Workforce Development Strategy.

My previous sector involvement includes Destination 2036 Working Groups and collaborative pilot projects with State and Federal Government agencies and other organisations to address wicked problems relating to health, indigenous employment, skills shortages, youth and economic development to name a few.

As a member of the LG Professionals Board I will draw on my experience working in and on Local Government organisations to support members through the creation and promotion of fulfilling and engaging programs and events. I welcome this opportunity to be actively involved in advocating for members of LG Professionals to realise their career and personal development and further their professions in the Local Government sector.

DIRECTOR

Craig Bennett, General Manager, Balranald Shire Council

CRAIG'S VISION

I bring 27 years' worth of experience, skills and knowledge from working in local government across four different states of Australia. I have worked in New South Wales, Victorian, Western Australian and Tasmanian local governments.

For the past 17 years I have worked in NSW local government. I bring significant financial management skills to the board. I am a fully qualified Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA). I also bring significant governance, business improvement and commercial skills to the table. I have worked in all three important disciplines in NSW local government.

As a current General Manager in NSW, I bring excellent stakeholder management, communication and interpersonal skills to the board. These skills compliment my excellent strategic planning skills and my ability to work as part of a high performing and committed team.

I am outcomes focused and enjoy networking and advocating on behalf of members in order to achieve measurable outcomes. I am very passionate about LG Professionals NSW. I want to see this association work closely with other bodies such as LGNSW to achieve significant outcomes for not only members of LG Professionals but all local governments in NSW.

My drive and passion for the members of LG Professionals NSW and local government in NSW is a significant reason why I am putting my hand up to be considered for the LG Professionals board. I see this as a great honour and privilege.

DIRECTOR

Geoff Burton, Business Planning and Performance Manager, City of Sydney

GEOFF'S VISION

I have nearly 40 years’ practical and management experience in local government in a variety of corporate management roles and appreciate the challenges faced by all local government employees working in ever increasingly complex environments.

I am currently responsible for the corporate planning and financial Systems functions at the City of Sydney. I have been a member of LG Professionals for over 30 years, and have been the chair of the Integrated Planners network for the last few years.

NSW councils are facing many challenges from the global, like climate change, to the local, like attracting quality staff.

Communities are recovering from floods, fires and the ongoing pandemic and have very dynamic expectations.

The challenge is set for all of us in local government to not only meet these challenges, but move forward to deliver stronger effective and efficient services based on skills and solid leadership to our communities. We need to focus on the capacity and capability of our own staff and work with our stakeholders and community to do move forward.

LG Professionals and our other peak bodies can work together to provide a variety of opportunities to help address these issues and enable local government professionals to be equipped to meet the challenges facing us all.

I would like to explore how LG Professionals can provide the best value for our all of members across the entire state to lift our own capabilities and make LG Pro an attractive membership choice for new and existing council professionals.

DIRECTOR

Todd Hopwood, Senior Manager Governance and Customer Service,  Wollongong City Council

TODD'S VISION

It has been an honour to serve on the Board of LG Professionals for the last 3 years and I will continue to bring my best efforts to represent the great professionals of the local government sector in NSW.

I have more than 20 years experience in our sector and I believe there is no greater career choice than serving our local communities. I will bring to the Board a strong focus on the people that make up our membership and the wider local government sector. In my time on the Board I have been a champion of the value that our member networks provide and also greatly encouraged our weekly Webinar Wednesday program. Both of these programs allow our members to collaborate and share knowledge, which is the genuine strength of our membership. I am also a very strong advocate for mental health and wellbeing issues and will bring this focus to the Board to ensure that wherever possible our sector continues to advance the professional standing and overall wellbeing of our members at all times.

DIRECTOR

Aaron Jones, Director Corporate Services & Finance, Bathurst Regional Council 

AARON'S VISION

LG Professionals NSW is the peak professional association for our industry and as a board member I see that I am playing an integral role in growing the next generation of local government leaders.

It is vital that we continue to foster and grow not only our membership, but to also promote local government as a career of choice with a diverse range of opportunities in both rural, regional, and metropolitan centres.

The association provides a platform to be a loud voice for local government. I want to be able to advocate for, and represent, the members of this organisation to ensure we have a voice on matters that impact local government.

For the association to remain relevant it is important to innovate and change. I want to help lead this change to ensure the emerging leaders of our profession are engaged in the association and that we are providing the industry what it needs in terms of professional development and capacity building.

DIRECTOR

Jackie Kruger, General Manager, Leeton Shire Council 

JACKIE'S VISION

I look forward to serving a second term as a member of the Board as I consider the organisation a vital network for sharing ideas and supporting each other to lead, shape and advance the future of local government in NSW. 

This last term has seen the organisation improve its momentum and voice (MAG, LGNSW, OLG) under the leadership of the President and the CEO/staff, supported by a well-functioning Board. This needs to be sustained and further grown. 

I can add value by bringing my 6 years of experience as a General Manager at Leeton Shire Council, as well as a previous three as Director Planning and Community Services at Tamworth Regional Council. I have a Masters in Environmental Education and professional memberships with AICD (as a graduate), PIA and, most importantly, LG Professionals.

Other current governance experience includes the Murray and Riverina Regional Advisory Council for Business NSW, and Board membership of Western Riverina Country Universities Centre. 

I am comfortable with respectfully offering a different opinion during Board discussions and debate from time to time, which helps foster robust thinking and debate.

Over the next term, I hope to promote to the Board the establishment of a “New GM’s Development Program”, ideally with the support of our very own vastly skilled and experienced Golden Oldies, if they are willing. I am also interested to advance discussion on how the organisation can help shape water policy in NSW, particularly in the Murray Darling Basin which covers a huge portion of NSW. 

I will undertake this role with commitment and to the best of my ability. 

DIRECTOR

Melissa Lee, Manager, Governance & Customer Services , City of Canada Bay 

MELISSA'S VISION

As an aspiring leader on my journey in local government, I will continue to promote local government and the services that this level of government provides to the community and all its stakeholders in a professional and positive light. I believe that it is important for LG Professionals, NSW as the industry’s leading professional body to remain relevant in the ever-changing local government landscape.

In doing this, I will:

• Promote good governance, transparency and sound ethical practices within LG Professionals NSW and more broadly to ensure that all members are heard and have a say in the organisation’s decisions associated with the sector. As part of this, providing assistance in shaping the strategic direction of LG Professionals, NSW.
• Advocate for the provision of continued professionals’ development and support to women in local government in all stages of their career, to continue to attract and retain those who aspire to a professional career in local government.

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Stewart Todd

STEWART'S VISION

During my five-year tenure as President we saw an increase in the number of General Manager members, our member networks went from strength to strength and we developed new programs and opportunities for our Next Gen members. We attribute this to our open, two way communication with state and federal government, our commitment to engaging with members and our focus on proving benefit and opportunity.  

While I have resigned as President, I will continue serving on the Executive Committee as the Immediate Past President until 19 October 2024. During this time, I will continue to support the evolution of the association, promoting growth and expansion, while valuing tradition and experience.