Newcastle Urban EcoVillage Pty Ltd was established to design an ecologically sustainable housing development in Shortland, Newcastle. The village comprised of 21 properties including two stand-alone houses, two duplexes, a triplex, a row of four townhouses and a row of eight townhouses as well as a community centre and a cottage primary school. The Project is currently being dissolved for personal reasons.Responsibilities• Project Planning and Management including project research, strategic planning, budgeting and progress review using Microsoft Project. • Stakeholder engagement negotiation and presentation of materials to six public authorities, 22 contractors, two clients, 14 investors, six residents and the local community, including engagement, contractual obligations and verification of understandings.• Financial duties including record keeping, financial statements, taxation, BAS returns and subcontractor payments, ASIC lodgements, and other reports as required. • DA consultation and negotiations with Newcastle City Council, Hunter Water Corporation and consultants, application lodgement, community education and Public Voice presentations.Achievements• Achieved Council Approval for a complex Development of an integrated Ecological Housing project.• Negotiated seed funding from various non-government stakeholders and financiers.• Designed a complex ecological settlement of 21 residential buildings and community facilities. Design parameters included and approved include compact passive solar design, on-site solar power generation, car-share, dry composting toilets, stormwater/grey water harvesting and re-use, on-site leisure/education and employment, vertical food production, permaculture landscaping and on-site native bush regeneration and extension. • The project received DA and CC approvals with Newcastle City Council.• Negotiated equitable distribution of funds between six litigious parties on dissolution of the project.

Town planning consultant for residential, business, commercial and industrial clients

Coast 2 Coast Town Planning is a boutique agency established by qualified planners to assist in residential development application assessment and lodgement, urban design, environmental impact assessment and regional planning analysis and transport planning needs.Responsibilities• The review of planned and proposed projects and the engagement of impacted stakeholders regarding impacts and merits.Achievements• Developed a network of community contacts to establish communication and planning presence on the Central Coast of NSW

Since 1983, the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) has been located on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Darkinjung has constantly focused on improving the health and wellbeing of the community through the provision of education, housing and business development and cultural events. Responsibilities• Ensuring the Council meets Legal and Fiduciary requirements through monthly and annual reporting of financial activities to key internal and external stakeholders including the Board, management, funding bodies including the NSW Aboriginal Lands Council, NSW Community Housing and EAP and others.• Identification, assistance and project planning of Business opportunities including a 109-lot subdivision of property at Blue Haven (complete). In process Bushells Ridge (231 lots) and Halekulani (64 sites) on the Central Coast, NSW. Assistance with Property Management for 20 Residential Tenancies and one Commercial Property.• Identifying and mitigating risk by gathering, analysing, reporting and advising on organisation and business risks and mitigating these risks through contract negotiations, development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Budgeting and reporting.• Liaising with internal stakeholders including staff, the CEO and Board, to produce accurate and timely financial information and advice. This was achieved by creating a close-knit team of finance staff with clear roles and responsibilities, and communication practices.Achievements• On-time delivery of accurate and actionable financial information and advice for every reporting period. This included monthly reports and acquittals and yearly audits completed as per agreed deadlines and client specifications.• Providing advice and assistance in relation to policies, procedures and controls as well as contracts, budgets. • Established a Performance Outcome Reporting System that reported the achievement of goals to Council management and the Board.

Biraban Local Aboriginal Land Council, New South Wales, AustraliaBahtabah Local Aboriginal Land Council, Belmont, AustraliaWorimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, Port Stephens, AustraliaBarang Regional Alliance Ltd, Wyong, AustraliaAwabakal Aboriginal Co-op, Newcastle, AustraliaAwabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council, Newcastle, AustraliaBungree Aboriginal Association, Tuggerah, AustraliaAboriginal Land Councils provide cultural and heritage activities and training and employment opportunities for members of local Aboriginal communities.Achievements• On-time delivery of accurate and actionable financial information and advice for every reporting period.• Completed monthly acquittals and reports and yearly audits as per agreed deadlines and client specifications.• Established a reputation for assisting organisations with growth and progress. Four of these organisations were coming out of administration (with one about to be placed into administration) and required assistance with establishing operating and governance systems to regain the confidence of the funding body, NSW Aboriginal Land Council. • Assisted these organisations with upgrading their funding status from ‘Unfunded’ and administered to ‘Fully Funded’ and independent, achieving a 100per cent compliance rating using the funding providers Risk Assessment System.• Provided assistance with developing and recording the progress of business opportunities including land subdivision, tourist and recreation facilities, cultural education and youth employment.• Project managed the provision of services for up to four organisations at a time, ensuring all financial reporting and project outcomes were achieved as per contractual agreements.• Achieved high level stakeholder engagement in highly volatile communities and organisations with diverse levels of education and skills.

Responsibilities• Monthly and annual reporting for the use of management, funding providers and external stakeholders, including budgeting and forecasting.• Responsible for approximately $1.3 million dollars of assets, and more than 50 employees.• Management of the charities income and expenditure recording and receipting systems, including cost allocation across funded projects and acquittal requirements.• Managing and providing assistance to the charities external audit requirements.• Preparation of BAS, Superannuation Guarantee, Fringe Benefits, Salary Sacrifice and Workers Compensation reporting requirements.

Responsibilities• Conduct and document the outcomes of audits in accordance with the Compliance and Review Group's audit schedule, including the creation of an audit program for all assignments. The audits have been reviewed by the Audit Office of NSW to form part of their annual review.• Followed up with responsible parties to ensure that audit recommendations are actioned appropriately, including completion of an assignment with Manager to create a standard reporting procedure to the Managing Director, Executive Managers and Non-Executive Managers of outstanding agreed actions.• Assisted with the development of process documentation applicable to the position, including the creation of standard audit procedures for the Group to be completed in June 2004, and miscellaneous Group process documentation.• Ensured that all audits are conducted within the budget and timeframe allocated for theproject. All allocated audit assignments remained on-schedule and were completed by the due date.• Assisted in the ongoing review and update of the Corporation's financial risk profile, including the completion of a review of various corporate policies and the risks associated with HWC subsidiaries.

Newcastle Chartered Accounting Firms involved in the provision of accounting, taxation andbusiness services.Responsibilities• All aspects of the firms accounting audit, taxation, business and financial services work including GST, PAYG, FBT and superannuation requirements.• Preparation of monthly management reports, annual budgets and profit forecasts for firms with annual turnovers of up to $1M.• Development of individual client records to ensure accurate collection of information and addressing areas of concern, with the aim of improving quality control.• Client engagement including dealing directly with 600 and 1000 clients at respective practices, and the calculation, quoting and monitoring of clients' accounts. I also developed improved methods to bill clients.• Organisation of engagement workflow and completion of work assignments within agreed time frames and budgets.• Delegation, coordination and review of work performed by 4 to 7.5 full-time team members.• Developed interpersonal skills in dealings with staff and clients which were recognised by employers.

Developed strategy and researched, developed and presented education materials andpresentations to 60 members, students and the general public, including public presentationsat events of up to 200 people.

Developed and presented political policy, and coordinated a network of supporters and multi-media activity to present political policy.