OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Tamworth Community College Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that the vision and strategies of the College are achieved.

The Board consists of a group of professional, dedicated volunteers who provide guidance and contribute to good governance. The Board sets the College’s priorities and is accountable for exercising the authority given to it in its constitution.
 

Linden Ross
Chairperson

Linden has senior management experience in private and not-for-profit organisations across several industries. Most recently, government and not-for-profit health has been prominent. Obtaining community sector management qualifications, Linden continued as a mature age student through distance education to obtain a Bachelor of Business Studies degree. Linden believes that continuing education pathways are crucial to new insights into the most current trends and skills required by industry.

Monique Harrington
Deputy Chairperson

Monique brings a strong career background in sales, strategic sourcing, strategy development, and business improvement projects across large multi-site retail, IT services, and government. Monique has a passion for driving business value through cost optimisation, operational efficiencies, and relationship management. Monique achieved her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Technology, Sydney, in 2007 whilst working full-time. Monique believes there are a variety of paths to get to one's chosen career and is passionate that these opportunities are presented to all.

Sharon Draper
Secretary

Sharon has had a career spanning the public sector, human resources, juvenile justice and education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics & Journalism) and Graduate Diplomas in Industrial Relations, Economics, and Education. Sharon is currently employed as Head Teacher (HSIE) at Calrossy Anglican School. She and her husband Peter run a local driver training school that specialises in disability learners. As someone with a strong social conscience, Sharon believes in empowering individuals through education and training.

Brenda Newman
Treasurer

Brenda has established a career in education as a school teacher and faculty leader in independent and public systems. Her expertise lies mainly in language and the creative and performing arts.
Brenda believes an ongoing commitment to lifelong learning is imperative for survival in this ever-changing world. Developing and maintaining personal connections within a society increasingly more reliant on technology is something that she also sees as a significant challenge. Brenda’s volunteer roles with Destination Tamworth and the Tamworth Country Music Festival Ambassador Programme reflect her desire to contribute to her local community.

Peter Hyde
Community Representative

Peter has lived in Tamworth since 1998 and has worked in the electricity supply distribution industry for 42 years. Peter holds various qualifications and has extensive expertise in the electrical trade, design, apprentice coordination, WH&S (employee & public safety), training, auditing, human resources, project, program and frontline management. He is also an active member of The Rotary Club of Tamworth First Light and is committed to making a difference & contributing to the community.

Chris Celovic
Community Representative

Chris brings experience and skills in domestic and international business, the government sector, and not-for-profit organisations. He has extensive experience working to improve organisational processes, increase productivity, promote, drive and sustain economic development and innovation, and has experience within the VET sector. Achievements within the VET/academic sector include leading policy development, industry and stakeholder engagement, managing successful audit activity for Academic programs, writing the TAE Certificate IV assessments and developing a CRM for TAFE NSW. Chris has strong links with regional NSW and believes the future for continuing VET opportunities in our region is exciting.

Karen Cooper
Community Representative

Karen is currently a Principal Consultant for Cooper Consulting. She has previously held positions as the  CEO for RISE Ventures, General Manager for Mission Providence and the General Manager for Campbell Page. Karen has spent most of her career in senior management positions providing leadership, strategic and operational advice, implementing change management initiatives, project design, and undertaking high-level stakeholder and community engagement. Karen is an inspirational leader and a critical executive contributor to an organisation’s success. Her style is hands-on, achieving results in fast-paced, complex environments and developing regionally dispersed teams, including remote and indigenous communities.

Tracey Cullen
Community Representative

Tracey has many years of experience engaging and working with communities throughout the New England. Until mid-2020, Tracey was the Community Engagement Coordinator, New England for the Cancer Council NSW.  As the business ‘Style for You’ owner, Tracey worked as an image consultant, providing a range of services to clients, including styling, business marketing, stakeholder engagement, workshops, mentoring, professional presentation, and first impressions. Until mid-2020, Tracey was the President and Publicity Officer of the Connect Tamworth Women’s Network. Tracey is an active fundraiser and an inspirational mentor for young people within the region, having supported several youth development initiatives.

Lorrayne Fishenden
Community Representative

Lorrayne is a proud Kamilaroi Yinnar (woman) from regional NSW and is an experienced facilitator and mentor who believes professional development and training are critical to Aboriginal and regional communities' economic and social advancement. Lorrayne has led regional projects stimulating arts, tourism, and cultural activities within communities and dialogue for Musswellbrook council, exploring the potential for a treaty with the local aboriginal community. Lorrayne has been the Managing Director of 2 Rivers since 2014, a boutique community development company based in Tamworth providing workshop facilitation, project planning and management, business planning, community consultation, development and implementation, and governance support.  

David Riordan
Community Representative

David brings extensive years of experience working within the VET environment, both nationally and internationally, including positions as the CEO of the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET International), Director TAFE NSW (Sydney) and more recently as the Director of City Services for the City of Sydney, managing over 1000 staff across seven business units. Since January 2021, David has held the position of Principal Consultant of Thalassa Consulting Australia, providing consultation services for the International Education and Allied Services industries.  David has strong links to the New England region and a passion for adult education, having commenced his career teaching at a Community College.

Cara Schultz
Community Representative

Cara is an experienced VET professional with 24 years of experience in various private, public, and enterprise Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) roles.  Cara possesses extensive experience in leadership and management, compliance and quality assurance, high-level stakeholder engagement, training and development, project management and strategic governance. In November 2019, Cara was appointed the Learning Design and Assurance Manager for the NSW Rural Fire Service.  Within this role, Cara managed their RTO ensuring training delivered provided a high level of operational capability required for the RFS through compliance and quality training. Cara is passionate about both regional NSW and the VET sector, having worked for TAFE in both the western and metropolitan regions of NSW.