Avi Maharaj - Manager Governance and Regulatory Services
Avi commenced with the Strathbogie Shire in January 2017 as Council’s Team Leader Council Business. Having earlier worked in Governance and Procurement at a neighbouring Council, as well as with the Local Government Inspectorate, Avi has bought into Council a new perspective which looks at opportunities through collaboration and networking with like Council’s to enhance business process improvements to drive cost efficiencies and savings.
Avi has over 20 years of experience of working in the Accounting, Auditing and Governance sectors(both public and private) and has tertiary qualifications in Accounting and Economics. He is also a member of CPA Australia and the Australian Institute of Internal Auditors. Avi’s portfolio within Governance and Regulatory Services, includes: Governance and Statutory Reporting, Policy Review and Development, Municipal Building Services, Environmental Health Services, Local Laws and Procurement and Contracts Management.
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Chaminda Ranwala - Manager Finance
Chaminda has over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting. He qualified as a management accountant completing CIMA UK. He became member of CPA Australia in 2009 .
Chaminda worked for large private sector companies throughout of his career and well trained in corporate reporting, management accounting, assets accounting , taxation, policies and procedures process improvements and new systems implementations. At Strathbogie Shire Council he is responsible managing all finance affair of the council.
Key tasks include: Annual accounting, assets accounting and Capital work reporting, all statutory reporting, monthly management reporting, budgets and forecasting, rate and revenue collection, investments and treasury management and managing key relationships with banks and auditors.
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Claire Taylor - Manager Arts, Culture and Economy
Claire commenced with Strathbogie Shire Council in November 2017, in the newly created role of Manager Tourism, Arts & Culture. With a background in Hospitality, Tourism and Events, Claire has worked both domestically and internationally on some of the biggest cultural and tourism events in the world including, 2012 London Olympic Games. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Event Management and a Diploma of Tourism, and prior to working with the Council had spent the past 12 years in education as a trainer in her specialised fields.
Claire’s portfolio with Tourism, Arts & Culture also includes Economic Development, Visitor Economy, Events and she is also the Grants Officer for Council.
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Debra Ellis - Manager of Community Wellbeing
Debra commenced with the Strathbogie Shire in May 2009 as a Customer Service Officer for what was then the Community Services department. Since then, she has had a number of roles within Council, including; Roster Coordination, Youth Coordinator and Children, Youth and Families Coordinator. She was promoted into the role of Manager Community Wellbeing in 2016. Her portfolio includes; Maternal and Child Health, Access and Inclusion, Youth, Community Grants and Community Planning, Prevention of Violence and the Liveability Plan 2017 – 2021 (Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan).
Debra has a long history of working directly with people having come from the Community Services sector. Her strengths include community engagement, community development, communication, strategic planning/implementation and policy development/review. Debra has a Diploma of Management (completed with Proteus Leadership), Diploma in Human Resources Management (Swinburne University) and is a graduate of the Fairley Leadership Program in 2011.
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