Richard Margetson
Richard is best known for his work on radio as a presenter for Triple J, ABC Local Radio in Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, and for 15 years atABC Darwin. He has also produced, written, presented long form documentary projects, and presented TV programs which have aired nationally and internationally.
In 40 years as a performer, MC and facilitator he has hosted multiple awards nights, live TV crosses, public discussions, forums, hypotheticals, comedy debates, community events, and for over 20 years as an MC at Womadelaide Festival.
Prior to a career in radio he had spent ten years working in theatre, film, TV and radio,hosting programs for Channel 9 and ABC, and working extensively in stage shows andcommercial voiceovers, film and TV narrations.
Anne-Marie Cade, Lawyer
AMDRAS Accredited Mediator, and Certified Conflict Management Coach
Anne-Marie Cade is an award-winning Lawyer and AMDRAS Accredited Mediator as well as a Certified Conflict Management Coach. She also served as the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in her local Municipality of Glen Eira in Victoria and served on Council for six years. She is a recent graduate of the Pathways to Politics program run by Melbourne University.
She has training in mediation, Brain Based Conversation Skills, Brain Based Coaching Skills and is a Master Neuro Linguistic Programming practitioner. She is also trained in negotiation mastery from the Harvard Business School.
She is passionate about the work she does as an Alternative Dispute Resolution professional and provides training and coaching on topics such as constructive conflict resolution, effective communication, negotiation, resilience and wellbeing and works with Corporate Teams, Local Government Leaders, Elected Officials and Lawyers across Australia.
She was named Australian Mediator of the Year 2023 at the Australasian Law Awards. At the Australian Dispute Resolution Awards 2024 – she was named Conflict Coach of the Year and also received the Service to Dispute Resolution award from the Resolution Institute of Australia & New Zealand. She is a Churchill Fellow and a Creswick Fellow having received fellowships to study conflict management and trauma informed practices internationally.
Luke Gosling OAM, MP
Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans’ Affairs and Northern Australia
Luke Gosling OAM MP is the Member for Solomon in the Australian parliament, which covers Darwin and Palmerston. He was elected in 2016, 2019, 2022 and re-elected in May 2025.He was appointed the Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans' Affairs and Northern Australia by the Prime Minister in July 2024 and has continued in that role in the new Parliament.
Mr Gosling served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport in the previous Parliament. He has been a member of the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia, the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, and the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories.
He started his working life with Defence, spending 13 years in the Army, including leadership roles in Parachute Infantry, Commandos, Defence Cooperation Programs, and the Northern Territory’s Norforce, as well as overseas service in Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste.After leaving the Army, Mr Gosling co-founded a not-for-profit NGO, Life, Love and Health (LL&H), an Australian volunteer charity for Timor-Leste. LL&H has raised funds and built schools, brought running water to remote villages, and delivered maternal health care.
Mr Gosling was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2006 for his relief work during the 2006 humanitarian crisis in Timor-Leste. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit (Timor-Leste) in 2006 and last year was awarded the Order of Timor-Leste by President José Ramos-Horta. "
Hon Mr. Steven Edgington, Minister for Housing
Local Government and Community Development and Member for Barkly
Steve Edgington was first elected as the Member for Barkly in 2020 and appointed aNorthern Territory minister in September 2024.
Mr Edgington moved to the Northern Territory in 1988 to join the Territory Police Force andhas previously held roles in the Australian and NT governments which providedopportunities to live and work in across rural and remote Northern Territory.
Mr Edgington and his wife have four children with two now living and working in TennantCreek.As the former Mayor of the Barkly Council, he is passionate about putting the Barkly regionback on the map and initiated the Barkly Regional Deal in 2018 to address communitypriorities including social, economic, culture and place-making.
Right Worshipful Lord Mayor,
The Honourable, Peter Styles
Lord Mayor City of DarwinPeter Styles has proudly called Darwin home since 1981, after transferring from the Western Australia Police to the Northern Territory Police. With over 27 years of service, Peter was awarded the National Medal in recognition of dedication and commitment to the community.
In 2008, Peter was elected as the Member for Sanderson in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, serving until 2016. During this time, ministerial portfolios included Business, Multicultural Affairs, and Racing, Gaming and Licensing, contributing to the growth and development of the Territory.
With a background in law enforcement, extensive public service and a strong belief in transparent and community-first governance, Peter brings valuable experience and leadership to the role of Lord Mayor.
Peter holds a Master of Business (MBA), is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD), Institute of Managers and Leaders (FIML), Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. As Lord Mayor, Peter is focused on ensuring Darwin remains a welcoming, safe and vibrant city for all who live, work and visit.
Mark Coffey PSM, Chairperson
NT Planning Commission
Over four decades in the Northern Territory, Mark Coffey has dedicated his career to supporting regional and remote Australia, drawing on extensive experience across policing, government, and community leadership.
As a senior executive in the Australian Public Service, he led Indigenous Affairs and the Office of Northern Australia, driving economic development initiatives across the north. He is adept at navigating the intersection of policy and service delivery, with a strong focus on community engagement.
Mark is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a recipient of the Public Service Medal, awarded in 2020 for his contributions.
Kate Dinning, Public Relations and Communications Specialist
Kate Dining is a communications professional based in Darwin, NT. Throughout her decade-long PR career, Kate has had the privilege of working on communications, brand strategy, media and social media management across an exciting range of clients and projects both locally and nationally.
Selena Uibo MLA,
Leader of the Opposition
Selena received her early education in Batchelor and Darwin and completed her secondary education at Sanderson High School and Casuarina Senior College. She holds a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education dual degree from the University of Queensland, where she was named Valedictorian of her graduating year.
Once graduated, Selena travelled to her mother’s community of Numbulwar and taught at the local school for four years. Selena was recognised for her hard work as a remote community educator with the Commonwealth Bank Foundation Teaching Award in 2013, a Northern Territory Department of Education Teaching Excellence Award in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education in 2014, and the Chief Minister’s Medal for outstanding and meritorious work in the public sector in 2015.
It was during this time that Selena felt that she could do more to help her community in Numbulwar as well as other communities in the south-east Arnhem Land region when it came to road access, education, health and community growth. This is what inspired Selena to join the Northern Territory Labor Party.
Two years later, Selena was sworn in as member of the Northern Territory 13th Assembly as the newly elected Member for Arnhem.
She was promoted to the Cabinet of the former Territory Labor Government in 2018 and went on to hold a number of portfolios including Education, Attorney General, Aboriginal Affairs, Housing and Homelands, Public Employment and Health.
In September 2024, Selena was sworn into the 15th Assembly as the Northern Territory Labor Opposition Leader, the first Aboriginal women to lead a major political party in Australia, with an all-Aboriginal caucus.
Selena is honoured to be the leader of the NT Labor Party and the Leader of the Labor Opposition and pledges to the people of the Northern Territory that she will work constructively and collaboratively and always in their best interest.
Nicole Battle, Director
Community Development
Originally from Victoria, Nicole has spent the last 3 years in Alice Springs as Director Community Development at Alice Springs Town Council. Previous to this Nicole spent 12 years working across various local government councils and not-for-profits organisations, working alongside refugees, asylum seekers and survivors of gender-based violence.
Nicole holds an undergraduate degree in Social Work, a Masters Degree in Public Policy and Management and is passionate about community development. Nicole is committed to her new home of Alice Springs and values the important role that community engagement can play in ensuring that all residents, including those from more marginalised cohorts, have the opportunity to influence the decision-making process.
Wayne Snell, Chief Officer
NT Emergency Service (NTES)
Chief Officer, NT Emergency Services, Mr Wayne SnellMr Wayne Snell was appointed Chief Officer of NT Emergency Service (NTES) and commenced in the role in May 2025, following a nation-wide recruitment campaign.
The appointment of Mr Snell marks a renewed strategic direction for the NT Emergency Service, focused on strengthening operational capability and community resilience across the Territory. Under Mr Snell’s leadership, a suite of initiatives is being implemented to enhance volunteer engagement, retention, and development; revitalise training pathways for both NT Government staff and volunteers; and broaden community engagement efforts.With over 35 years of emergency management and leadership experience, Mr Snell has held senior management roles both nationally and internationally for more than 20 years. His career includes prominent positions at the Australian Civil Military Centre, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and as Commander of the New South Wales State Emergency Service, State Operations.Additionally, Mr Snell has worked with leading state, national, and international policing organisations, including INTERPOL and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
His qualifications span emergency management, human resources, law enforcement, training, fire investigation, and forensic science.".
Brian Pedwell, Vice President
Regional and Shires
Mayor Brian Pedwell was born in Darwin but grew up in the Victoria River District (VRD) and the Big River Region of Katherine. His early life was spent across various locations, including VRD Station, Kalkarindji, Kelly Bore, and Katherine, before finally returning to Yarralin, his home.
Aside from his high school years at the Old Kormilda College in Darwin, now known as Haileybury College, Mayor Pedwell’s roots have been firmly grounded in the VRD. His journey into local government began in 1998 with the Walangeri Ngumpinku Community Government Council. Mayor Pedwell had the privilege of serving as President twice during his time there, from 1998 to 2008. In March 2012, he was elected to the newly formed Victoria Daly Shire Council, which later became the Victoria Daly Regional Council. Mayor Pedwell has proudly held this position ever since, first as Deputy Mayor and then as Mayor, a role he assumed in October 2016, prior to the 2017 elections.
In addition to his work with the Council, Mayor Pedwell served one term as a member of the Northern Land Council (NLC) Executive, contributing three years to the organisation. He also played a key role in the establishment of the Katherine West Health Board, where he served as both a Board Member and Executive Member for seven and a half years. Following this, Mayor Pedwell became an Aboriginal Health Practitioner, a position he held for over 13 years, contributing to the health and well-being of our communities.
Currently, Mayor Pedwell is a member of the NT Grants Commission, where he continues to advocate for the needs of his region.".
Matt Burnett, President
Australian Local Government Association
Mayor Matt Burnett, a lifelong resident of the Gladstone Region with six generations of family ties, is a former small business owner and a qualified journalist. At just 19, he launched his own newspaper, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to the community.
Serving in Local Government since 2000, Mayor Burnett spent five years as Deputy Mayor before assuming his current role. His leadership has encompassed oversight of key portfolios, including Technical Services and Town Planning, within both Gladstone City and Regional Councils.
Dedicated to fostering sustainable growth and community well-being, Mayor Burnett ensures that the region’s development aligns with its best interests. His inclusive leadership approach brings together diverse perspectives, from fellow Councillors to local residents, fostering collaboration in decision-making.
Beyond his mayoral duties, Mayor Burnett represents Central Queensland on the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Policy Executive, serves as President of the LGAQ Board, and holds the position of President of the Australian Local Government Association.
Jennifer Marston, CEO
Victoria Daly Regional Council
Jennifer Marston is the Chief Executive Oicer of Victoria Daly Regional Council, leading strategic reform and service delivery across one of the Northern Territory’s most remote and diverse local government areas.
With a career spanning senior roles in Commonwealth and State Government, Jennifer has worked across Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria, and internationally in Fiji and Thailand. Her experience includes most recently working directly to the WA Public Sector Commissioner where she led a sector-wide agency capability review focused on improving performance and accountability across government.
Jennifer’s leadership is grounded in the principles of curiosity, collaboration, and service excellence. She is known as a connector of people, fostering strong relationships across teams, agencies, and communities to enable an integrated approach to delivery and beneficial outcomes. While new to local government, and the Northern Territory, she brings a systems-level perspective, a deep commitment to place-based leadership, and a passion for building sustainable, capable organisations."
Julie Love , Employee Relations Services Manager
WALGA
Julie Love is the Employee Relations Services Manager for WALGA, a role she commenced in June 2024. J
Julie has significant experience in human resources and employee relations at a specialist and leadership level across multiple industries including twenty years in the WA public health sector. With a focus on building strong relationships, Julie is known for her collaborative leadership style and is passionate about fostering professional growth and innovative workforce solutions.
Greg Bowden, Client Engagement Manager (QLD/NT)
Greg arrived at .id in January 2025 after nearly 20 years in local government and a number of years in the corporate sector working in mining, manufacturing, agriculture, and supply chain management.
Having lived and worked in both regional and metropolitan Queensland, this equips Greg with an understanding of the intersection between business, community and government and the issues affecting us right now.
Greg has a results-driven approach and believes that decision making across organisations requires quality data to deliver success for clients and partners when working on new challenges and future opportunities.
At .id, Greg travels across Queensland and the Northern Territory collaborating with local government and industry to speak about 'Unlocking the Power of Place'. This assists decision makers in delivery of that all-important competitive edge, brand visibility and an informed community."
Nick Sloan, CEO
WALGA
Nick Sloan has been CEO of the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) since 2019. He brings extensive senior executive experience from State Government, including roles as Chief of Staff and Principal Policy Advisor.
Nick has led complex policy initiatives across local and state levels and held leadership roles in regional WA. He serves on several boards, including LGIS, Auspire, and is the Chair of Nature Play WA. Known for his inclusive leadership, Nick has driven a member focussed transformation at WALGA, fostering a high-performance culture dedicated to supporting Local Governments and delivering better outcomes for communities across Western Australia.
Kylie Spears - President, Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA)
Kylie Spears President - the Australian Local Government Women's AssociationKylie is a passionate advocate for strong, inclusive local government, with a deep commitment to community well-being and authentic leadership. Serving as a three time Mayor and Councillor for the City of Maroondah, Kylie brings more than a decade of experience in community engagement, advocacy, and strategic governance. She is known for her ability to foster collaboration, drive policy outcomes, and speak up on issues that matter — particularly gender equity, local democracy, and sustainable community development.
Kylie’s leadership is grounded in values of transparency, courage, and connection. She has played a key role in advancing initiatives that support local families, amplify youth voices, and champion women’s leadership in public life. As a long-standing member of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA), she is a vocal supporter of empowering women to step into leadership roles and reimagine what’s possible in public service.
Kylie is also a skilled communicator and facilitator, with a practical, empathetic approach, she continues to make a lasting impact — not only in Maroondah, but across the broader local government sector.
A successful business owner for the past 18 years, She also serves as National President of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association and is a life member of the Melbourne East Netball Association.".
Liz Drumm, Disaster Management Lead
LGAQ
Dan Barr, Founder & Director Engagement Manager Pty Ltd
Dan is an urban strategist and co-founder of Engagement Manager, a company that provides organisation's with digital tools to streamline stakeholder engagement. He is also the Director of Better Cities Group, a leading multidisciplinary consultancy focused on city-shaping across Australia.
With over two decades of experience in urban design, infrastructure delivery, and stakeholder engagement, Dan is widely sought after to lead city shaping projects with complex stakeholder engagement requirements.Dan has formal qualifications in urban design, public health, and project management."
Allison Bitar, Vice President Municipals
Elected to the Alice Springs Town Council in 2021, Allison has served as Deputy Mayor from 2023-2024. Allison is a strong believer in working together with people from all walks of life for the good of the community and works hard to make Alice Springs a place people want to move to and stay.
With qualifications in Anthropology and town planning, Allison has held roles in the public and private sector. Allison has been a member of the Development Consent Authority and of the Northern Territory Heritage Council, serving on the Heritage Council strategic planning and policy subcommittee; and a member of the Birth and Beyond Board. As a business owner, Allison also understands the complexities and challenges of running businesses in remote locations. Allison is proud to have lived in the Territory for more than 20 years. Together, with her husband, they are raising three girls.
Bridgette Bellenger, Group Manager Central NIAA
Bridgette is a proud Territorian and has spent her career serving the people of the Northern Territory, working closely with communities, organisations, leaders, and every tier of government to deliver better social and economic outcomes for Territorians.
Bridgette currently serves as the Group Manager for the Central Region at the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), based in Darwin. With extensive experience in Indigenous affairs, regional development, and intergovernmental coordination, she oversees service delivery and partnerships across the Northern Territory, including remote and very remote areas. Before joining the NIAA, Bridgette was the Deputy CEO at the NT Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet, where she led the government’s Aboriginal Affairs and Regional Growth agenda.
Her leadership was also integral to the establishment and rollout of the government’s Local Decision-Making agenda, returning control and decision-making to communities. Bridgette is known for her strong advocacy for community-controlled initiatives, Closing the Gap priorities, and regional economic development.
Key DatesConference Dates: 18 - 19 November 2025 Early Registration Closes: 27 October 2025 General Registration Opens: 28 October 2025 | Contact UsAgentur Pty Ltd (ABN 57 151 252 989) 15 Cavenagh Street, Darwin NT 0800, Australia GPO Box 1767, Darwin NT 0801, Australia |