NT COGSO Executive & Staff

President (Leave of Absence May 2020)
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 - Acting President
Beverley Ratahi  

School Board: Taminmin College
Contact: (08) 8999 3255

Beverley has been involved with School Representative Bodies
for the past 17 years with her four children all attending government schools. Beverley has been a Member, Chair and Fundraising Coordinator of the Bees Creek Primary School Council; Member and Chair of the Taminmin College Council/Board since 2011; and COGSO Palmerston and Rural representative and Executive member from 2011-2014.  

Beverley’s passion for supporting public education results from her belief that schools are the hub to building a strong community and ensuring opportunities for all children to experience success – there is no more important job that investing in the Territory’s future.

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
Karyn Laverty

School Council: Nhulunbuy High School
Contact: (08) 8999 3255

Karyn is the Chair of Nhulunbuy High School Council, born and raised in Nhulunbuy and has two children attending Nhulunbuy High School in Years 8 and 9.
Karyn believes that young people live and learn in two worlds - home and school.

The way the two connect and communicate can make an enormous difference to how children learn to manage in both places.
When schools and families work together, children do better, stay in school longer and are more engaged with their school work.

Darwin Region Representative
Shani Carson 

School Board: Casuarina Senior College School Council: Dripstone Middle School 
Contact: (08) 8999 3255

Shani has two children who attend the local middle & senior school. Becoming involved in School Council as Treasurer and then Chair, she has been a part of school governance for the last 3 years. 

Born and raised in Darwin, Shani strongly believes in supporting government schools to provide better outcomes for all students and stronger community connections.
 

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
Beverley Ratahi

School Board: Taminmin College
Contact: (08) 8999 3255

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
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.

Invited Member
Dylan Robinson

Dylan is the immediate former East Arnhem Regional Representative and former Parent Member of Nhulunbuy High School Council where his son attended school.
In 2019 the Executive extended Invited Member status to Dylan for the knowledge and experience he brings with extensive experience in the area of youth services across the Territory.

He has a Graduate Certificate in Development Trauma and is passionate about genuine engagement with communities. Dylan is a strong advocate in the parity of opportunity for remote schooling communities.
 

Executive Officer
Michelle Parker

Contact: (08) 8999 3255 or 0428 885 353

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 middle school 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.

Training Officer
 

Contact: (08) 8999 3255

Marianne provides governance and mentoring support to School Representative Bodies and is passionate about supporting families, communities and schools to build their capacity in local decision making, engagement and participation.

Having spent the last three years supporting remote communities in Indigenous Land and Sea Management, Marianne also brings several years’ experience as an education officer and project coordinator supporting schools and their communities with mentorship, guidance and resource support.