NT COGSO Executive & Staff

President
Tabby Fudge

School Board: Taminmin College
Contact: 0417 844 251

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

At the 2020 November AGM Tabby was re-elected President for a fifth year. Prior, Tabby held the position of Treasurer and Vice Chair of the Palmerston and Rural Regional Council. With two daughters in Year 7 and Year 10, Tabby is a Parent Member of the Taminmin College Board. “ 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.”

In addition, Tabby also sits on the Northern Territory Board of Studies (NTBOS) as a Parent member: Term of Office - 30/12/17 to 30/12/20.

Vice President
Sarah Rheinberger

School Board: Parap Primary School
Contact: (08) 8999 3255

Sarah is an Occupational Therapist, currently working as the State Social Inclusion Coordinator for Goodstart Early Learning and is a business owner. Sarah's clinical, leadership and advocacy work over the last 15+ years has centred around supporting families to create better life outcomes, particularly for those living in remote locations, experiencing vulnerability and those with children with additional needs through a trauma informed and relationship based approach. 

Sarah understands that in order for children to learn academically, they first need to feel connected, valued and safe so works with schools, educators and families to create those environments and relationships.

Sarah is a Parent Member of Parap Primary School Council and has two children in Primary School.

Treasurer
Richelle Kent

School Councils: Sanderson Middle School and Manunda Terrace Primary School
Contact: (08) 8999 3255

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 a Parent Member, then 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 second year as NT COGSO 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.

Barkly Region Representative
Wayne Green

School Councils: Tennant Creek Primary School and Tennant Creek High School
Contact: (08) 8999 3255

Wayne has served a total of 10 years on Tennant Creek Primary School Council and several years on Tennant Creek High School Council. He has three children across both schools ranging from Year 3 to Year 10.

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.

East Arnhem Region Representative
Noel Carpenter

Contact: (08) 8999 3255

Darwin Region Representative
Tabetha Bakunowicz

School Council: Nakara Primary School 
Contact: (08) 8999 3255

Big Rivers Region Representative
Natasha O'Keefe

School Council: Borroloola School
Contact: (08) 8999 3255

Natasha is a Parent Member on Borroloola School Council and is studying Certificate III in Early Childhood Education at Batchelor College. Working at Borroloola School for the past five years and believes that education is the key for all children to learn and become independent life-long learners.  Natasha is passionate about the role of Assistant Teacher and is looking forward to graduating as an Early Childhood Education Teacher.

Natasha also participates in school events such as sport days, family fun days and any other important events, in addition to being an active participant of the Borroloola School Council.

Big Rivers Region Representative
Noela Anderson

School Council: Borroloola School
Contact: (08) 8999 3255

Noela is a Parent Member on Borroloola School Council and comes from two language groups; Garrwa and Yanyuwa spending her whole life in and around Borroloola. Working with Borroloola School as a Tutor/Assistant Teacher for 3 years and 15 years in the current role of Home Liaison Officer, in addition to being an active participant of the Borroloola School Council. 

Assisting and supporting more than 300 students; from helping them engage in the classroom to helping plan the schools Weekly Culture days. Noela loves the role. “If in my current position I have helped just one student achieve their goal then I can be happy.”
 

Top End Representative
Naomi Hunter

School Board: Berry Springs Primary School
Contact: (08) 8999 3255

Noami has three children ranging from preschool to year 5. She has been a member of the Berry Springs Primary School Council since 2017 and Chair since 2018.

Naomi is a strong believer in families being involved in their children's school, as she believes this will help build the foundations for success.

Central Region Representative
Lauren Winter

School Council: Centralian Senior College
Contact: (08) 8999 3255

Lauren has been involved with various schools in Alice Springs since 1995 when her first child commenced in preschool. Serving as a Parent Member on School Councils, committees and fundraising bodies, Lauren holds the position of Chair on Centralian Senior College Council and Parent Member on Centralian Middle School
Council.

With a large family of 6 children with the two youngest currently at school, Lauren is passionate about public education both Territory and Australia wide.

Invited Member
Gavin Morris

Dr. Gavin Morris is currently employed in the College of Indigenous Futures, Education and the Arts, Charles Darwin University (CDU) and has a teaching career which spans two decades in primary, secondary and tertiary educational sectors. He has completed a Master of Education, and a PhD into the impacts of colonisation in remote Aboriginal communities.

Dr. Morris is a board member of Gymnastics NT, member of the Northern Territory Board of Studies, member of the College of Education Indigenous Advisory Group, member of the College of Education Learning and Teaching Committee and the College of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Practices Leadership Group.

Gavin is a strong advocate for community engagement in promoting full and equal access to quality public education across the Northern Territory.

Invited Member
Fred Richardson

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 - 30/12/17 to 30/12/20.

Public Officer
Fred Richardson

Contact: 0408 944 265

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.

Executive Officer
Michelle Parker

Contact: (08) 8999 3255 or 042 888 5353

Michelle is responsible for supporting and enabling the Executive to fulfil its governance functions in line with NTCOGSO policy and constitution. Providing executive leadership, operational management and direction to achieve NTCOGSO'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.

Project Manager Community Engagement and Governance
Alice Gawler

Contact: (08) 8999 3255 or 0477 111 196

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.