Executive Team

As Chief Executive Officer of West Arnhem Regional Council, Andrew is heavily focused in supporting the vision and direction of the Council in its various development strategies, social programs and in coordinating its activities throughout the Council.

Community-oriented in his outcomes, Andrew is a dedicated and supportive Senior Management figure within the Council, with over ten years of experience in commercial and the Local Government Sector and the Arnhem Region.

He takes most pride in his capability to develop and support staff and programs, achieving quality outputs.

In his most recent role as Director of Community Development for the East Arnhem Regional Council, Andrew held a pivotal role in achieving outstanding regional outcomes through staff and program development.

Andrew is an authentic leader and has a strong history of fostering a workplace culture where staff feel valued and engaged, prioritising delivery across the region, and ensuring the vibrant Communities continue to thrive.

Andrew's commitment to service delivery is further highlighted by his Masters-level tertiary qualifications, blending academic principles with practical experience to lead the Council towards a future of sustainability, innovation, and enhanced Community leadership.

I was born on Larrakia country in the late 1960s to a New Zealand mother (nurse) and Greek-Cypriot father (radio announcer). I have lived in and around Darwin all my life apart from spending 18 months in my father’s country (Cyprus) after finishing high school. I have accounting and legal qualifications (though I have not sort admission as a lawyer) and I have had opportunities to work in lots of different industries from transporting gas and constructing gas pipelines; thoroughbred racing; primary health care; university lecturing; and more recently with the NT Government (NTG) public service working in local government. After ten years with the NTG Local Government Unit, I decided I needed to put into practice all the things I had been advising Council staff and become an employee of a Council.

I have loved joining the West Arnhem Regional Council team. All the people I have dealt with in Council have been very generous with their knowledge and time; my skills are being used and expertise stretched; I have learnt lots and some of my prior views (formed when I worked for the LG regulator) have changed as my appreciation for what regional councils actual do grows. I hope to continue to be part of the West Arnhem Regional Council team for at least the next few years.

Outside of work time I am a gardener; slow but keen runner; long-time yoga student; with a retired, spoilt greyhound and husband (who is also spoilt but not yet retired). My intention in the next eighteen months is to attend a yoga retreat in India (Varanasi) and join a boat tour to experience the Kimberley (WA) coastline, particularly the Horizontal Falls.

Fiona is an experienced executive leader with an extensive track record in business development, operational management, major project management, sponsorship generation and marketing in local, national and multinational organisations.

As Director Community and Council Services and previously Acting Chief Operating Officer for West Arnhem Regional Council (WARC), Fiona also draws almost 10 years of experience working across the Northern Territory towards improving remote Aboriginal communities and creating sustainable employment opportunities for Aboriginal people.

She has a wide range of experience across different industries including tourism, agriculture, entertainment and indigenous social enterprise with a focus on creating and supporting community and business development opportunities and driving growth. 

Before joining WARC, Fiona worked as the Business Development and Project Manager for the Aboriginal Investment Group (AIG) where she was responsible for a number of major projects, with the investment in and successful implementation of Remote Laundries in Barunga and Groote Eylandt being a particular highlight.

Her time spent as the Trade Marketing and State Business Executive for a Fortune 500 business, honed her community engagement and relationship building skills, her understanding of customer needs and nuanced marketing and service delivery. The opportunity to learn from and build contemporary business skills in a global organisation is invaluable in her current role delivering outcomes for the people and communities of West Arnhem.

Having built a strong connection with West Arnhem region through her role at AIG Fiona was attracted to the local government sector and was delighted to join West Arnhem Regional Council in 2020 in the newly created role as Manager Business Development. She moved into the role of General Manager Technical Services soon after where she has overseen the implementation of major roads and infrastructure projects across the region and instigated service delivery improvements for postal services in Gunbalanya and Jabiru.

As the Acting Chief Operating Officer since 2022 and now Director of Community and Council Services, Fiona leads six teams across Darwin, Jabiru, Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Minjilang and Warruwi, supporting 190 staff and delivering against a budget of around $20m.

She is passionate about helping to shape the future of the West Arnhem region and particularly working with her colleagues in the West Arnhem Regional Council to find creative ways to improve services and infrastructure in this unique and significant service delivery landscape.