Meet Our Helpful Staff
See the Board's Organisational Chart
Claire Wiseman
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Claire grew up on a cattle station in the Flinders Ranges and at the ripe old age of twelve went off to Boarding school in Adelaide where she completed her schooling and went on to University.
The majority of Claire’s early career was in the Tourism Industry, the industry allowed Claire to travel around Australia working in Queensland, Nhulunbuy NT and in many tourism businesses around the Flinders Ranges. After ten years in the tourism industry, Claire decided it was time for a change of career scene and commenced working for the Regional Ministerial Office located in Port Augusta. This job was a great introduction to the Government system whilst still working with regional communities.
It was Claire’s passion for regional SA that led her to apply for a position at the then Northern Regional Development Board as an Economic Development Officer in 2005. Claire worked in the Economic role through to 2010 when she was appointed Deputy CEO.
Claire is currently undertaking the Acting Chief Executive Officer role through to the end of January 2012.
Paula Osborn
Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Network Development Officer
Paula commenced with Regional Development Australia Far North in May 2009 and was drawn to the diverse networking and cross border opportunities the role offers.
As Network Development Officer for Outback Business Networks Desert Knowledge Australia, Paula works with small and medium businesses in five industries: tourism, creative industries, local produce, mining and sustainable building . The role is primarily focussed on linking businesses not only within the region but also across borders to create economic and time/money saving opportunities for businesses.
Paula brings with her 19 years experience in the State Government with the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure and skills in many areas including public relations, marketing, media liaison, project management, staff supervision and community liaison. She has a Diploma in Marketing, Diploma in Advertising and Certificate IV in Frontline Management and is currently studying for a Diploma in Project Management.
Paula is currently undertaking the Acting Deputy CEO role through to the end of January 2012, as acting CEO Paula is responsible for the management of RDAFN's governance and reporting requirements.
Bronwyn Fuller
Office Manager
Bronwyn was born in Port Augusta and has been employed with RDAFN for the past three years. She commenced her working career in Port Augusta and then moved to Adelaide in the early 90’s and stayed there for 10 years before moving back to Port Augusta.
Bronwyn worked for 15 years in the State Government mainly in the areas of Education, Human Resources, Business Management and Administration. She was also the owner of a local business in Port Augusta.
Dean Liebelt
Business Advisor
A change in his career path, Dean then went to the Country Fire Service where he was employed in various roles from technical operations through to management.
In the latter part of his career, Dean started his own successful wholesale business. This gave him a great insight into viable businesses that can cater for environmental resource management issues facing businesses today. Dean spent two years working in South East Asia with Forestry products for the furniture manufacturing industry.
Dean’s passion for sustainable local economies and 30 years (government / private enterprise) knowledge and experience can assist in support and advisory services to small and medium businesses throughout the northern region. Dean lives in Peterborough with his family.
Carmelo Crisa
Far North Economic Development Manager
Carmelo is a local to Coober Pedy and after completing year 12 at the Coober Pedy Area School, he joined Telstra from 1985 to 1989 as a technician servicing Outback South Australia. Carmelo married in 1989 and joined the family business through to 1994 when he relocated to Adelaide with his family.
In Adelaide, Carmelo went back to his trade and worked for several communication companies until 2004 when he saw an opportunity to return to Coober Pedy and start his own communication business. It's this venture that opened his eyes to the amazing opportunities that the Outback offers those who are prepared to take on the challenge.
Carmelo joined RDAFN because of his passion for the outback and its future direction, and he wants to help in that future direction in any possible way, to maintain the viabilitty of our communities.
Troy Grover
Flinders Ranges and Outback Economic Development Manager
Troy commenced working with Regional Development Australia Far North in July 2011 his passion and interest in assisting the Flinders Ranges and Outback to provide economic and sustainable communities is what attracted him to RDAFN.
Troy is local to Port Augusta and has a world of real-life experience from the business and retail industry which ranges from accounting, policy/procedure development through to Internet and general marketing. Growing up in the business sector has provided Troy with an understanding of the challenges facing the region from a grass roots aspect.
After approximately 20 years in the Automotive industry Troy decided it was time for a change and took some time off in 2009 and travelled around Europe. Returning home with a passion to take a different career path Troy commenced a Bachelor of Business Management degree. Troy then began working with Froling Entreprises for the delivery of the Regional Online Internet Marketing Program within the Far North region. This role was great introduction to the Government program system and assisted Troy in gaining valuable working relationships right accross the region.
As Economic Development Manager, Troy works with local business community alongside all levels of Government to strengthen the economic througout the Flinders Ranges Council area, Unincorporated Flinders Ranges and Outback South Australia spanning from Manna Hill to Oodnadatta. The role is primarily focussed on Indigenous Economic Development and Tourism Development, which involves helping businesses and Individuals to engage in commercial activity by forming a link between community level and government level funds and opportunities.
Kelly Smyth
Indigenous Mining Employee Mentor
Kelly started out as a qualified chef and lecture for over 22 years. From there moved onto Program Management and Employment Services Sector where she managed Job Network Services together with a variety of federal and state funded programs for 10 years including disability and indigenous employment services throughout the Yorke Peninsula, Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Whyalla regions.
Over the last 14 years Kelly has taken on the role of Professional Child Advocate for the Courts Administration Authority, Family Care Meetings being the voice for many indigneous youth in a voluntary capacity.
From there managing the Indigenous Youth Mobility Program for Whyalla & Port Augusta where she works closely with indigenous youth and their families who chose to relocate from their homes and communities to further their education and employment opportunities.
The role Kelly has now taken on is as Indigenous Mining Employee Mentor with RDAFN. The role involves working closely with employees, employers both on and off site, community and family with he focus towards mentoring Indigneous Mining employees into gaining long term sustainable employment futures.
Mandy Hansen
Training and Skills Development Officer
Mandy commenced with Regional Development Australia Far North in January 2010 as the Settlement Services and Marketing Officer. Mandy commenced as the Training and Skills Development Officer in January 2011.
Mandy’s role is to assist in the development of projects and programs of the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST) through a liaison role between the RDAFN, Far North Employment and Skills Formation Network (FNESF) and other agencies and organisations leading to higher than current levels of training and employment across the region.
Mandy is a long term resident of the region having lived and worked in the Far North for over 20 years and has previous experience in the education and government sectors.
Melita Miller
Settlement Services and Marketing Officer/Administration Assistant
Melita Miller is one of the first contact points that many people have when they phone or call in to Regional Development Australia Far North.
Melita was born and bred in Port Augusta and has been working with the Board in the Administration area for 11 years. In her early years of working Melita travelled extensively throughout Europe to broaden her horizons but always loved coming home to Port Augusta – who could resist having the Flinders Ranges on their doorstep or being so close to the sparkling waters of the Spencer Gulf.
Shari Dodd
Administrative Officer
Shari was born in Port Augusta, where she lived with her family for two years before relocating to Leigh Creek for a number of years. Shari’s family moved back to Port Augusta when she was six and Shari has made Port Augusta her home since then.
Shari attended Flinders View Primary School then went on to complete high school at Port Augusta Secondary School. Shari began working with Regional Development Australia Far North as a trainee back in May 2004, where she also completed studies for Certificate II in Business Administration.Shari was lucky enough to gain another traineeship with the Board and again completed studies for Certificate III in Business Administration. After completing both traineeships Shari was offered the opportunity to become a fulltime employee with the Board as Administration Officer. Shari is currently undertaking study to complete a Diploma in Business Administration.