Defence SA strengthens ties with UK

Anthony Heath has started his role as director of Defence Industry UK at Defence SA.

Defence SA said the “newly established role will bolster ties between South Australia and the United Kingdom, harnessing strategic opportunities for partnerships in both countries’ defence sectors”.

Anthony Heath

Heath attended the Royal Military College in Duntroon and had a 30-year military career in the Australian regular and reserve forces.

He has held various senior international roles across the private sector, defence and government with a strong focus on consulting, crisis management, negotiation and operational planning.

Defence SA said Heath “will be responsible for supporting and maintaining close relationships with industry, industry associations and government representatives to support key defence projects”.

Long-serving ASC CEO and managing director to step down

Defence and space manufacturer ASC Pty Ltd has announced that long-serving managing director and CEO Stuart Whiley will step down when his contract expires in January 2026.

Stuart Whiley

Whiley joined ASC as an engineer in 1989 during the build of the Collins class fleet.

Over his 35 years at ASC, Whiley has served in numerous engineering operational, program management and senior management roles, including as general manager of submarines and chief operating officer.

ASC board chair Bruce Carter said that “his hard work and determination have resulted in the delivery of world-class submarine availability of the Collins Class fleet to the Royal Australian Navy and the successful announcement of ASC as the nation’s sovereign nuclear-powered submarine builder and sustainer in March 2024”.

ASC has engaged executive search firm Kom Ferry to find Whiley’s replacement.

Solid appointments to oil and gas company

Cooper Energy has appointed Frank Tudor and Gary Gray AO as non-executive directors of the company, effective October 1.

Frank Tudor. Photo: Sharon Smith

Tudor and Gray will stand for election at the company’s 2024 Annual General Meeting on November 7.

Tudor currently holds the roles of global leadership executive network at Edison Electric Institute and senior advisor to Oliver Wyman’s global energy and resources practice.

Before this, he held various roles at Energy Networks Australia, including most recently as national chairman.

Gary Gray AO

Tudor also spent almost 20 years working for BP in London, working in roles ranging from engineer to senior executive.

Gray has served as Australia’s Ambassador to Ireland since 2020 and was the federal Labor member for Brand in Western Australia from 2007 to 2016, holding various ministerial portfolios.

Cooper Energy said Gray has considerable industry experience through private sector positions including at Woodside Energy as a member of the executive committee and Mineral Resources Limited as general manager of corporate, government and external affairs.

Cooper Energy is based in Adelaide and said it “is an S&P/ASX 300 (ASX:COE) listed energy company which generates revenue and contributes to Australia’s energy future through the discovery, commercialisation and sale of gas to south-east Australia and low cost Cooper Basin oil production”.

Manager Internal Audit for Statewide Clinical Support Services. This pivotal internal audit role has a strong relationship focus with responsibility for leading and monitoring audit and compliance reform with a vital South Australian health services entity.

General Manager Doctor Group for the progressive Adelaide-based medical imaging group, Jones Radiology. Provide strategic leadership and support to the respected Doctors Group and CEO.

Head of Secondary School for innovative and growing co-educational school, St Columba College based in northern Adelaide. An outstanding career opportunity to lead a progressive Secondary School vision working closely with a highly regarded and inspiring Principal.

Manager Corporate and Member Services for the Australia Medic Alert Foundation. A diverse role leading a small team focused on enhancing corporate services delivery and member experience.

General Manager for Rural Doctors Workforce Agency. Drive excellence across a diverse portfolio of business functions to enable services that positively impact the health and wellbeing of SA rural and remote communities.

Lowitja Institute appoints deputy CEO

The Lowitja Institute has welcomed Michael Newman as its deputy CEO.

Michael Newman

Newman, a proud Wiradjuri man, has spent the past four years as chief operations officer of the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service.

Lowitja Institute CEO Paul Stewart said “Michael is a passionate and respected leader whose values align perfectly with our commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples”.

The Lowitja Institute is named after South Australian Indigenous rights advocate Lowitja O’Donoghue and said it is Australia’s only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health research institute.

Matthews Architects bolsters leadership team

South Australian architecture and interior design firm Matthews Architects has appointed Karin Wouters as designer and project leader.

Karin Wouters

Matthews Architects said that “with more than 10 years’ experience in the industry in Australia and internationally, Ms Wouters has delivered complex large projects across medical, education, hospitality, residential and social housing”.

Wouters completed her architectural studies in Germany and has worked in France and Perth.

Wouters spent the past five years as an architect at YLT Architectes in French Guiana.

Founded in 1975 and based in North Adelaide, Matthews Architects said it “specialises in a variety of challenging and complex projects; particularly commercial, education, care and residential design projects”.

Interim CEO for Clare & Gilbert Valleys council

Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council has appointed Andrew Aitken as interim CEO following the resignation of Dr Helen MacDonald.

Andrew Aitken

Aitken is expected to start the role on September 24, coinciding with MacDonald’s final day at the council.

The council said Aitken’s appointment was made due to his extensive experience in the local government sector.

Aitken was CEO of the Adelaide Hills Council from 2012 to 2022 and before this, he held innovation and strategic director positions at Tea Tree Gully and the City of Onkaparinga councils.

Clare & Gilbert Valleys mayor Allan Aughey OAM said the appointment “will ensure the delivery of projects, services and programs to our community during the recruitment period”.

AWLB welcomes presiding member

The Alinytjara Wiluṟara Landscape Board (AWLB) – Australia’s only all-Aboriginal landscape board – has welcomed Brenz Saunders as its presiding member.

Brenz Saunders

AWLB said Saunders has a strong connection to the Far West Coast of South Australia, having grown up near Ceduna with Wirangu, Kokatha and Mirning ancestry.

Saunders is the founder and director of digital business Cheedoona and investment management firm Hex Innovation Pty Ltd.

He is an advisor to Cerulean Creative Studios and chairperson of Tauondi Aboriginal College, Far West Coast Investments and the Alliance of First Nations Independent Education and Training Providers.

He is also chairperson of the Reconciliation Action Plan Committees for Adelaide Airport Limited and Nova Systems Australia and New Zealand, as well as a board member of Minya Bunhii Childcare Centre, the Country Arts SA Foundation and the Adelaide Crows Foundation.

ALWB oversees more than 250,000 km2 in the northwest third of the state, where it works with Traditional Owners and communities to manage natural resources.

Experienced director joins Terramin board

Terramin Australia Limited has appointed Alan Broome AM as a non-executive director and deputy chair on its board following the retirement of Michael Kennedy.

Alan Broome AM

Broome will also be a member of the company’s Audit and Risk and Nominations and Remuneration committees.

Broome is a metallurgist by training with over 40 years of experience as a director and business advisor in the metal, mining and energy industries.

He is currently chair of numerous boards, including emeritus chair of Austmine, where he was chairman for 22 years.

Terramin said Broome “brings to the Company extensive knowledge and experience accumulated through involvement with mining technology companies, government agencies and major international mining companies, which will complement the current experience and skill set of Terramin’s Directors and management team”.