Our Committee

Mark has a deep seeded passion for the outback, developed over a period of eighteen years living and working in the region. Mark first arrived in the Outback in 1993 as a young Constable with the South Australia Police stationed at Leigh Creek Police Station. Over the ensuing nine years until 2002, he lived and/or worked at Marree, Innamincka, Marla and the Pitjantjatjara Lands, Coober Pedy, Woomera, Roxby Downs, Andamooka, William Creek and finally at Oodnadatta.

It was at Oodnadatta where his passion for the outback manifested into a more formal community development direction. Mark served as the Chair of the Oodnadatta Progress Association from 1999 until 2002, a position, likened to a town Mayor, which oversaw all municipal activity in the town. This position allowed Mark to work closely with the Outback Areas Community Development Trust (the predecessor to the Outback Communities Authority). When the opportunity to take up a new role with the Trust as a Community Development Officer, Mark resigned from the South Australia Police and moved to Port Augusta in 2002.

Initially employed as a Community Development Officer, the premature departure of the Trust’s Manager provided an opportunity for Mark to relieve and ultimately confirm himself in that position in 2003. Since that time Mark has overseen a significant increase in the local government function of the Trust brought about by significant change in economic, social and environmental activity in the region. These changes culminated in July 2010 with the creation of the Outback Communities Authority, of which Mark was the inaugural General Manager.

Scott has 30 years of combined experience in accounting, executive management, and supply chain advisory roles. He is the leading Director of Flywheel Advisory services, previously the CEO for Bowmans Rail, and prior to that a supply chain leader at Aurecon, providing strategic counsel to customers around the world. Scott has worked in Europe, Asia and Australia overseeing supply chain operations for global companies, in packaging, apparel, food and transport.

He was formerly a chartered accountant with KPMG for more than a decade, and Principal at Infrastructure Advisory firm Aurecon as Supply Chain Director working largely with supply chain customers. Today, as founder and chief executive of Flywheel Advisory, he is helping organisations and businesses using supply chain as a differentiator to drive profitability and service. Scott is also the Chairman of Tactic.

Lucy is a pastoralist in the far north of the state who manages Callanna Station alongside her husband Tom. From 2015, Lucy worked as a contract musterer around the Marree area, whilst simultaneously studying full-time to complete her Bachelor of Agrifood Systems degree. Since then, Lucy has completed many leadership and development courses and worked as a Community Engagement Officer for the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board, which saw her build strong relationships and run community-based educational workshops right across the north east corner of the state from Marree to Innamincka.

Lucy has a passion for sustainable agriculture and the development of remote areas. Lucy is a strong advocate for the outback and economic development, which has seen her project manage hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of infrastructure projects for the Marree Sports Club.

Kerry has more than 15 years experience in project development and operations within the Australian mining Industry. With a passion for sustainable development, he has been at the forefront of industry best practice working on some of the most complex mining projects in Australia.

Linley has extensive knowledge and experience of Government Social Policy, Corporate Governance and Social Service delivery. She commenced her career working as an Australian Government public servant, focusing on Indigenous Affairs, social policy, inclusion, and delivery. After twenty-six years Linley left government and moved across to the not-for-profit sector with a focus on social vulnerability and inclusion. Linley’s career has involved engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders across regional and remote SA, including the three Upper Spencer Gulf cities, the Flinders, Far North, Eyre and Western Regions of South Australia, including the APY Lands. Her work has included governance, leadership, program management and overseeing service delivery. Linley is a Board member for Child and Family Focus SA, and holds a position on the South Australian Council of Social Services Policy Council.

On a more personal level, Linley is a local government elected Mayor with the City of Port Augusta, an experienced Rotarian holding roles such as President and Area Governor, is a proud recipient of the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, and a strong advocate for local, national and International humanitarian effort. She is supported by a strong family with a sound ethos around active contribution to society.

Linley has a comprehensive knowledge of the economic and social challenges in regional and country South Australia, and how the three tiers of Government work with Industry, business, stakeholders, and communities to leverage and harness opportunity. She brings a strong regional voice based on social diversification and inclusion.

Geoff was appointed as the ‘principal administrator’ of the District Council of Coober Pedy in late March 2023. He is largely based in Coober Pedy taking the lead role in the new administration. His main role with the co-administrators is to continue discussions and developing the steps that need to be taken to make the Council financially sustainable so that it can be returned to an elected body.

Geoff is a long-standing and respected senior leader in local government, particularly in regional South Australian councils, most recently as the chief executive officer of the District Council of Elliston.

Tony commenced with the RFDS in April 2014 as Chief Operating Officer and was then appointed as Deputy Chief Executive Officer in September 2017 before commencing as Chief Executive (CE) in November 2018.

Prior to joining the RFDS Tony was with SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) in various roles for a combined 32 years, the last 20 years in general and executive leadership roles.