Our children, Our future.That was the title of areport published lastyear in collaborationbetween the AMPFoundation, EffectivePhilanthropy andSocial VenturesAustralia, which

provided an overview of opportunities toachieve improved primary and secondaryeducation outcomes for Indigenousstudents.

Those four words apply equally to allchildren and highlight the importance ofeducation to our future economic andcommunity wellbeing.

Among those bearing responsibility for thequality of education are the directors of ourindependent schools. Independent schoolsare non-government, not-for-profitorganisations, often structured ascompanies limited by guarantee. As theterm suggests, most independent schools,are governed, or controlled, independently– that is, by their own board of directors orcouncil.

In the Northern Territory, there areapproximately 5,000 students that attendthe territory’s 20 independent schools,while across Australia there are more than1,000 independent schools.

Much of the media reporting regardingdirector issues and corporate governancetends to cast these issues as only involvingour largest listed companies. Whatconstitutes effective directorship andgovernance is, however, just as relevant tothose serving on school boards andcouncils. The quality of school leadership,for example, was listed as one of the key

STATE MANAGER’SCOMMENTS

success factors in the Indigenouseducation sector in Our children, Ourfuture.

No matter where Australian directorsundertake their work, including in schools,they are under extraordinary pressure. Thispressure comes not only in the form oflegislation and regulation, but also strategic“business” decision-making.

There is little wonder, therefore, that therecruitment and retention of school boardmembers was highlighted among the topchallenges in the Independent SchoolsCouncil of Australia (ISCA) Governance inSchools Research Report last year. It isalso not surprising that many of thegovernance challenges listed by directors inschools are common to those in otherorganisation types. These include a lack ofclarity around the respective roles andresponsibilities of the school council andprincipal (like the board and corporateCEO).

Effective succession planning for the headof school and chair of the governing bodyis also just as important for school boardsand councils as it is for others in thedirector community.

Fortunately, the discipline of goodgovernance has been adopted by many ofour independent schools, with “soundautonomous governance arrangements”recognised as a characteristic of the sectorin the Independent Schooling in AustralianSnapshot 2009. Continuing to work onenhancing the quality of school governanceis important, as independent schools arerequired to operate within governmentregulations and performance is closelyscrutinised by parents and communities.

NT COMMITTEE

Peter Carew AM FAICD, Chairman

Greg Constantine MAICD

Lorraine Corowa GAICD

Linda Fazldeen FAICD

Deborah Fracaro MAICD

Tom Ganley FAICD

Richard Giles MAICD

Bob Hudson FAICD

Julie Ross MAICD

NOVEMBER 2009

NTDIRECTORwww.companydirectors.com.au

AICD MEMBER SERVICES

Congratulations 2

Directorship Opportunities 2

State Manager’s

Comments continued 3

Member Profile 3

New Members 3

Public Broadcasting’s

Next Decade Luncheon 4

David SpearMAICD

...Continued on page 3

The NT Committee takes pleasurein acknowledging those who haveachieved the milestones ofcontinuous membership duringAugust, September & October2009.

Mr Rod Applegate GAICDDeputy Chief Executive Officer,Department of Planning &Infrastructure

Mr John Gamble MAICDDirector, Airnorth

Mr Wayne Hoban GAICDExecutive Director Barkly,Department of Local Government& Housing

Ms Helen Jones GAICDDirector of Human Resources,Department of Business,Economic and RegionalDevelopment

Mrs Mary McAlpine GAICDDirector, Area9 Pty Ltd

Mr Dwayne McInnes GAICDChief Financial Officer, HousingBusiness Services

Mr David Metcalfe MAICDDirector, Area 9 IT Solutions

Mr Kevin Peters MAICDGeneral Manager, NorthernTerritory Industry CapabilityNetwork

Mr Andrew Wilson MAICDGeneral Manager, SkyCity Darwin

Mrs Vicki O'Halloran FAICDChief Executive Officer, SomervilleCommunity Services Inc

Mr Mark Wilson FAICDChief Financial Officer, AustralianFuel Distributors Pty Ltd

5 Y E A R S

1 0 Y E A R S

1 5 Y E A R S

CONGRATULATIONS DIRECTORSHIPOPPORTUNITIES

Are you on aboard?Today’s directors are being challengedwith a range of complex issues in anever-changing environment.

The Company Directors Course (CDC) is Australia’s pre-eminent programcovering all the important areas ofdirectorship, including directorduties and responsibilities,strategy, risk and financialperformance.

Course dates

8 – 12 February 2010Crowne Plaza Darwin

AICD DIRECTOR ANDBOARD DEVELOPMENT

PAGE 2

Whether you are looking to keep up-to-date with thelatest openings on Australia’s private, public, and not-for-profit boards – or to help your organisation find the idealcandidate to strengthen your governance team, we havea new service to meet your needs.

Looking for a directorship?Over 50% of AICD members indicated in a recentmember survey that a service to assist in findingboard positions is an important service they seekthrough their membership.

Thanks to the valuable feedback, AICD has been workingon the development of a customised program for ‘findingboard positions’ and as a result, AICD will be replacingthe current Directors Register service with a new memberservice called Directorship Opportunities.

Directorship Opportunities will allow you to activelyparticipate in finding new board positions by displayingonline the details of available directorships; whereby youmay then choose what you apply for and watch theprogress of your application online. The service lets youset-up and manage email alerts for all new boardpositions as they are advertised or only those that meetyour specified criteria

Directorship Opportunities is free for members currently subscribed to the Directors Register, who will be automatically transferred to the newservice. Members not yet subscribed will be able to joinDirectorship Opportunities for an annual subscription fee**

of $75(excl GST).

Looking for a new member for your board?With an increasing recognition of the importanceof board diversity, Australian businesses whenlooking for a new board member seek a variety ofchannels and networks to help discovercandidates that will grow the depth and breadthof the diversity and expertise of the boardmembers.

The new service being introduced by AICD calledDirectorship Opportunities will allow your organisation tosubmit the description of the board position and have thispromoted to the highly targeted audience of AICDmembers looking for a new directorship. This service willallow organisations to improve their likelihood of findingthe right candidates by advertising the positiondescription including the essential industry experience,qualifications, specialist skills or location required ofcandidates. Through this service, your organisation cantarget specific skills, and enthusiasm for yourorganisations purpose.

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER: Organisationsmay list their available board positions FREE for the firstsix months of operation.

For further information, to join, or post a position advertisement on the new service, please visit:www.companydirectors.com.au/directorshipopportunities orcontact memberservices@companydirectors.com.au

* Launch date mid-November 2009. Please refer to the AICD websitefor regular updates

** Annual subscription fee for this service is in addition to your AICDmembership. To subscribe you must have current financial AICDmembership. Your fee will be calculated pro-rata to match yourmembership period.

For information on the free Company Directors CourseInformation Session or to enrol on the CDC course contact MeganGalpin on 08 8236 2800 or visit ww.companydirectors.com.au

Rita is an accomplished marketing professional with over17 years marketing and communications experience,gained in both the private and public sectors. She hasextensive experience in both tourism and social changemarketing having worked for Tourism New Zealand andQantas and, managed major accounts for the AustralianDepartment of Health and Aged Care, the AustralianQuarantine and Inspection Service and the Departmentof Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. Rita is also aDirector for the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse.

As Deputy Chief Executive and General ManagerMarketing & Communications with Tourism NT, Rita

leads a team to position the Northern Territory as Australia’s leading nature andculture destination. She is responsible for the development of the NorthernTerritory’s tourism brand, campaign and destination marketing activities, domesticand international media and public relations programs, digital marketing, tradeand cooperative initiatives.

Rita holds an Honours Degree from the University of Melbourne and is currentlystudying a Masters in Business and Technology (MBT). She is a member of theAustralian Institute of Marketing, the Public Relations Institute of Australia (MPRIA)and a Certified Practicing Marketeer (CPM).

Rita is a Graduate of the Company Directors Course and Fellow of the AustralianInstitute of Company Directors (FAICD) and currently sits on the Board of theHeart Foundation (NT Division).

1. What book are you reading?I currently have two on the go; Future Files – A History of the Next 50 Years byRichard Watson; and The Death and Life of Charlie St Cloud by Ben Sherman.

2. What is the best thing about being a company director?The opportunity to truly helicopter up above the day-to-day operational issuesand look at the strategic direction and focus of an organisation, and to strengthenand enhance its performance.

3. What advice would you give an aspiring director?Look for organisations where your skills can really add value – which may not bethe first one you might like, or be asked to join.

4. What do you like to do in your spare time?I hate to say it, but property is a passion, so tracking what’s hot in property takesup lots of my spare time, and cash. Oh, and being in the tourism game gives methe perfect excuse to research the must do travel experiences of the world – andactually force myself to find the time to do them.

5. Who in corporate Australia would you choose as a mentor andwhy?I would choose Gail Kelly for two reasons; for her vision and elegant execution ofbusiness strategy and because she leads from the front and fosters very strongteams.

6. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?That people in corporate and public sector organisations want their leaders tolead; even though they may not always agree with the direction being taken.

7. What benefit of being an AICD member do you value most?The networking and professional development opportunities offered through theAICD.

8. What is your long term life goal?To give back as much as I’ve been given, and to have some great fun along theway.

9. Did you face any gender bias?Not to my knowledge.

10. What has been a personal highlight for you during your career?The inspirational people I have had the honour of working with and leading. Theyknow who they are.

MEMBER PROFILE STATE MANAGER’SCOMMENTS...Continued from page 1

Rita Harding FAICD

NEW MEMBERSAUGUST, SEPTEMBER ANDOCTOBER 2009

Ms Leah AhmatExecutive Officer, Cooperative ResearchCentre for Aboriginal Health

Mr Ross BelcherGeneral Manager, Natural ResourceManagement Board (NT)

Ms Louise BilatoDirector, IMconcepts Pty Ltd

Mr Grant Davey Chief Operating Officer, Crocodile GoldAustralia Operations Pty Ltd

Ms Susan KirkmanExecutive Director Finance & Governance,Department of Natural Resources,Environment, the Arts and Sports

Mr Kong MuFinancial Controller, Uniting Church inAustralia - Northern Synod

Mr Peter Styles Member of Legislative Assembly, LegislativeAssembly Northern Territory

On policy matters of interest to directors, theAustralian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) isworking hard at putting forward the views of allmembers, from all sectors – not just those at “thebig end of town”.

AICD is concerned that in policy areas such asexecutive remuneration and unfair contracts –which are being reviewed by the FederalGovernment even though there is no evidence ofany “problem” or concern with unlisted companies– proposed changes may result in more red tapefor the broader director community.

The global financial crisis has presented newchallenges for directors and for those responsiblefor governance. Australia’s independent schoolshave, to their credit, been resilient in the face ofthe recent economic turbulence, with parentscontinuing to see great value in quality education.The ongoing challenge for directors ofindependent schools is to strive to achieve thehighest standards of governance so that they canmake a real difference to the lives of our childrenand the future of our communities.

David Spear MAICDAICD State Manager, SA/NT Division

PAGE 3

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in NT Director do not necessarily represent the views of the AICD nor the publication. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted by the publisher for omissions,typographical or printer’s errors, inaccuracies or changes that may have taken placeafter the publication. All rights reserved.

AICD SA/NT Division Level 8, 70 Pirie St Adelaide SA 5000

Tel: (08) 8236 2800 Fax: (08) 8236 2833 Email: sa-nt@companydirectors.com.au

AIC

D#1538

On Thursday the 1st of October, the Australian Institute of CompanyDirectors (AICD) SA/NT presented the ‘Public Broadcasting’s NextDecade’ luncheon. Over 100 members and guests convened at theSkyCity Darwin, International Room where Mr Mark Scott,managing director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation(ABC), addressed the future of the organisation as it moves into thedigital age.

Mr Scott explored the history of the ABC, one of our most enduringand most beloved public institutions from its inception in 1932,when the then Australian Broadcasting Commission, was firstlaunched, to today. “Everybody is a shareholder in the ABC,” saidMr Scott. He emphasized that although the organisation hasundergone significant changes, the ABC will continue to beindependent and commercial free.

PUBLIC BROADCASTING’S NEXT DECADE LUNCHEON

The ABC’s survival is dependent upon its understanding of the roleof public broadcasting in a rapidly changing media world, and itsability to realign itself to meet the needs of a diverse audience. Itspresent audience comprises people whose expectations have beenshaped by traditional media and those who, by their familiarity withonline and mobile digital media, make very different demands. Inaddition to its public television, radio and online broadcasts, theABC began moving online ten years ago and is now expandingtheir digital services to include podcasting, vodcasting andinteractive programs. “The power is in the audience,” Mr Scott said.

The ABC is vital to future generations, he said, as he underscoredthe importance of offering programs parents can trust. He stressedthe ABC’s commitment to connect with local audiences bydelivering critical information and giving them the opportunity tocontribute their opinions online.

The majority of the ABC’s programming content from comedy, todocumentary, to drama and news is Australian. The promotion ofAustralian arts and culture is a prime focus of the ABC.

Mr Scott said that the ABC is more relevant today to Australiansthan at any time in the past, and, as a public institution, it has anobligation to reach more Australians, in more ways, more often.

The AICD appreciates the support of members and guests inhelping make this event a success.

Proudly sponsored by

Event Sponsors

Alan Hewitt FAICD, council president, AICD SA/NT; Mark Scott, managing director, ABC and

Mark Rowberry, partner, Deloitte

Dinner with Roger Corbett AO, Chairman of Fairfax Media LimitedThe Australian Institute of Company Directors is proud to present an evening with the newly appointed Chairman of Fairfax Media Ltd and former CEO of Woolworths Ltd, Mr Roger Corbett AO. This dinner is a must see event on the Darwin business communitycalendar as we gain an insight into one of Australia’s prominent directors.

Do not miss your place at this special dinner on Thursday 26 November 2009 atthe Darwin Convention Centre from 7.00pm to 10.00pm.

To register, please contact Megan Galpin on 08 8236 2800 ormgalpin@companydirectors.com.au