- Sandra Butcher
- Sarah Codrington
- Sarah-Jane Zaichenko
- James Pratt
- Donna O’Brien
- Haidee Dentith
- Karen Vohland
- Janet Hanigan
- Tracy Luke
- Tracy Ward
Sandra Butcher
Department of Corporate and Digital Development
Sandra joined the public service in 1977 as a switchboard operator at Alice Springs Hospital.
Over the next 46 years, Sandra provided HR leadership to many agencies and has developed multiple programs to upskill staff. She is held in high esteem across the NTPS.
Sandra has been a sounding board for many, a skilled coach and mentor, and is well known for her belief that people are an essential part of an agency’s core business.
Sarah Codrington
Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities
For the last 2 years, Sarah has performed 2 significant roles – as Director of Clinical Practice and Professional Services leading a team of 12 to support child protection practitioners, and as a subject matter expert in developing the agency’s new client case management system – CARE.
Both roles demanded significant input, organisation and commitment, with Sarah far exceeding the requirements of both.
Her vision, leadership and dedication in designing and implementing CARE has resulted in improved outcomes for vulnerable NT children and families, and in positioning the NT as a leader in child protection practice reform in Australia.
Sarah-Jane Zaichenko
Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities
Since 2006, Sarah-Jane has mainly worked in Territory Families, Housing and Communities - Central Australia and Big Rivers regions. In June 2022, Sarah-Jane moved to Wadeye to lead the department’s response after community unrest.
Her leadership and organisational skills had an immediate impact.
She was quickly accepted by the community, and got to work establishing positive relationships and assessing the needs of individuals and families. Sarah-Jane’s leadership of the Wadeye recovery response was pivotal to community members’ safety and wellbeing. Her professional, unbiased management and re-prioritisation showed a skilful use of her authority, balanced with care and compassion for all.
Sarah-Jane Zaichenko (represented by Karen Broadfoot)
James Pratt
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
In 2016, James was appointed to lead the government’s hydraulic fracturing taskforce. James’ subsequent work in the formation of the independent scientific panel, delivery of the taskforce report and the implementation of regulatory reform has been exemplary.
His strong work ethic, rigorous attention to detail, and honest, frank approach helped industry keep abreast of the implementation process while also allowing for balanced, rigorous debate.
James led the team through significant complex legislative amendments, engaging across government and industry. The result of his expertise, diligence and dedication is the commencement of a sustainable onshore gas industry.
Donna O’Brien
Department of Education
Donna is a well-respected member of the Alice Springs community dedicating over 20 years to the region. She is principal of Gillen Primary School and a valued leader in the Department of Education.
Donna has led staff and students on a significant journey over the last 6 years to address and improve the literacy, numeracy and wellbeing of every student, which is evidenced in school outcomes through NAPLAN results and school survey feedback.
Donna has built meaningful relationships and partnerships across Central Australia and her significant community connection has created a nurturing environment for all.
Haidee Dentith
Department of Education
Haidee has dedicated over 25 years to education in the East Arnhem community, building strong partnerships with students, families and community members.
Haidee is valued by the community and known for being collaborative, easy to work with, and for her ability to consult in a culturally responsive way. These qualities have helped achieve significant student outcomes.
Last year, Haidee led the Laynhapuy Homelands School to support 22 senior secondary students achieve their Certificate 2 in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. She also supported 4 students from remote East Arnhem to achieve their NTCET – both outstanding achievements.
Haidee Dentith (represented by Saeed Amin)
Karen Vohland
Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet
Karen joined the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet in 2017. She is a highly effective negotiator and persuasive communicator with outstanding people skills. Karen is known as a motivated and results-oriented senior manager with a broad range of leadership, stakeholder engagement, change management and communications skills.
As an early adopter of technology and practices, her innovative approaches have been shared across NTG and changed the way we work. This includes CX and human-centred design, neuromarketing, Omni-channel digital experience design, program logic, 9 day fortnights for staff and applying artificial intelligence in a government workplace.
Her colleagues and stakeholders speak highly of her unwavering commitment and tireless efforts to achieve results that make a positive impact in the community.
Janet Hanigan
Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet
As lead and secretariat of the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing Steering Committee, Janet was instrumental in developing and coordinating the implementation plan to progress the 135 recommendations of the inquiry’s final report.
This included close collaboration and negotiation on many sensitive and delicate issues, including the regulation of a shale gas industry in the Territory.
Janet’s ability to lead this work was critical to the delivery of the final report and successfully implementing its recommendations, ensuring all agencies’ priorities were considered and that innovative, best-practice solutions were developed to deliver on government’s commitments.
Tracy Luke
Department of the Attorney-General and Justice
As Assistant Commissioner of Community Corrections since 2011, Tracy leads a team of over 1,000 people across the Territory. Tracy has continuously demonstrated excellent performance as a strategic leader in NT Correctional Services and as part of the executive leadership team.
Widely recognised as an expert in the community corrections field, Tracy has been instrumental in driving initiatives to achieve change, not only in community corrections, but in offenders’ rehabilitation and release.
Tracy is very accessible to staff and visits regional offices regularly. She leads her people with passion, influence and a well-known commitment to their wellbeing.
Tracy Luke (represented by Deirdra Fitzgerald)
Tracy Ward
NT Health
Tracy has worked with the Environmental Health Branch of NT Health for 28 years. Most of this time has been spent in strategic policy, working across government agencies to review and update legislation and procedures that protect the population against environmental risk and hazards.
Tracy has displayed longstanding commitment, expert knowledge and excellent communication as a leader in environmental health. She has a deep understanding of the Territory’s environmental health issues.
Tracy actively collaborates with multiple government agencies and is highly respected for her public health knowledge, skills and ability to work effectively in this important cross-agency space.
