Medal Recipients 2022

• Andrew Jacka
• Thomas Winter
• Simon Saunders
• Doug Cooke
• Leon Spurling
• Peter Fletcher
• Raelene Joyce Mungatopi
• Dianne Scannell

Andrew Jacka

Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics

Civil engineer Andy Jacka graduated from Melbourne University in 1974. He moved to the NT in 1975 to work with the Commonwealth Department of Housing and Construction.

Early in his career, Andy worked in Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. He’s spent the last 47 years delivering public infrastructure projects throughout Australia, including 16 years in the Territory.

In 2012, Andy joined DIPL for a 2-year tenure in the design and construction of the new Palmerston Regional Hospital.

In the 10 years since, he’s been influential in shaping some of the Territory’s most important public built infrastructure, including the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre, the Marrara Netball Centre and the Nightcliff Renal Unit.

Throughout his extensive career, Andy has consistently delivered outstanding and commendable service in his frontline dealings with client agencies, community members, industry and government officials.

Thomas Winter

Department of the Attorney-General and Justice

Thomas Winter is a senior lawyer for the NT Government, with 9 years of public sector experience.

This nomination is for his work as government’s lead lawyer on the Sun Cable project, a world-leading renewable energy project building a 12,000-hectare solar farm in the Barkly region.

Thomas showed extraordinary dedication to this project and delivered exceptional legal, strategic and project management expertise. It required long hours – including weekends – and Thomas has worked continuously since July 2020.

As a result of his hard work, on 17 May 2022, the Solar Project (Australia-Asia Power Link) (Special Provisions) Bill 2022 was passed by the NT Legislative Assembly, with strong bipartisan support.

Thomas drafted the legislative documents, briefed the minister for the Act and attended the debate in the Legislative Assembly to provide on-the-spot legal advice as required.

Simon Saunders

Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics

Simon Saunders began his career with the NTPS as a transport inspector in 1994. Twenty-seven years on, Simon is still with the department as Executive Director, Transport Safety and Services.

He’s also held the statutory roles of Registrar of Motor Vehicles, Director of Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport and Director of Transport.

Through all his positions, Simon’s integrity and professionalism have earned him great respect from everyone he works with.

He is held in equally high regard by stakeholders – testament to his ability to lead in a regulatory environment while effectively dealing with industry on complex matters.

During the pandemic, Simon was an essential conduit between industry and government’s response team. His actions ensured the freight and logistics industry could cross borders into Aboriginal communities to deliver essential goods and services.

Doug Cooke

Department of Corporate and Digital Development

Doug Cooke has more than 40 years of service with the NT Government.

After 20 years in agriculture and primary industry, he discovered his talent for technology and a desire to improve living conditions in remote Australia. So, for the last 20 years, Doug has worked on improving remote telecommunications services across the Territory.

Doug is well respected in the industry. He’s been instrumental in driving both terrestrial and subsea connectivity within and to the NT, including the Tiwi Islands subsea fibre link and the Terabit Territory initiative.

Under Doug’s leadership, these projects are changing the lives and fortunes of Territorians.

Doug has a unique combination of knowledge and skills, from a deep technical understanding of telecommunications to his ability to work effectively at the political interface.

Leon Spurling

Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities

Leon Spurling started with the department in 2011 as a public housing safety officer, where he showed a keen interest in improving safety standards in and around public housing in Alice Springs.

His natural leadership ability saw him move into a coordinator role, where he was instrumental in establishing the Tennant Creek Public Housing Safety Unit.

Leon continued to lead with modesty and stability over the years, and in early 2022, he became the Director of Housing and Communities for Central Australia.

Leon excels in this senior leadership role, providing sophisticated advice on public housing safety, general tenancy compliance and joint initiatives with other agencies.

Many of the unit’s strong relationships with tenants, families, private neighbours and service providers is thanks to Leon’s calm and steady disposition and commitment to the agency’s vision.

Peter Fletcher

Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities

Peter Fletcher started with the NTPS in 2010 in youth diversion before moving into child protection. His natural leadership skills emerged early, beginning his journey through leadership roles across the child protection and youth justice areas.

As Director of Community Youth Justice, Peter provides leadership across Darwin, remote Top End communities and regional centres.

His sound knowledge of the cultural diversity in these areas ensures child protection and youth justice services are provided with cultural security.

Peter has led significant reform in case managing children in out-of-home care and the youth justice system. His significant experience in both fields allowed him to successfully form a new work unit specialising in service provision to children.

Peter’s leadership is helping ensure young people in the Territory receive end-to-end, holistic, collaborative and coordinated service delivery.

Raelene Joyce Mungatopi

Department of Health

Raelene Mungatopi is a proud Tiwi lady who is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of her patients, families and community.

In her extraordinary 30 years of service, Raelene has served her community as an Aboriginal Health Practitioner.

Her work experience and skills are extensive – from talking to young people about raising a family and being kind to each other, to dealing with chronic health problems, mental health issues, suicide, cardiac arrest and medical emergencies.

Raelene values the importance of continuous learning, recently upgrading her qualifications to a Diploma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner.

Raelene warmly welcomes new staff and their families into the community and the workplace and ensures they are culturally respectful and safe.

She is highly respected by all as a mentor, teacher, advocate and trusted advisor.

Dianne Scannell

Department of Education

Dianne Scannell was born and raised in Katherine. After a stint interstate to study commerce, accounting and law, she returned to Katherine as an accountant.

Di’s journey with education started as school business manager for MacFarlane Primary School. Opportunities to grow and develop in the sector led her to her current role as Director of Quality School Financial Improvement and Leadership.

Though based in Katherine, Di provides system-wide support for school business managers across the Territory.

She played a key role in implementing a new finance system and was deeply committed to supporting school business managers through the change management process.

It’s important for Di to ensure all students across the NT have access to the same opportunities she did.

Di is respected for her deep knowledge and experience across school, regional and system contexts.