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Who are we?
Laurie Knight
CV IN BRIEF – LAURIE KNIGHT B. Bus LGA, LGPA, LGFP (NSW)
Laurie has a Business Degree in Local Government Administration and is a member of the Local Government Professionals Australia, and the Local Government Finance Professionals (NSW).
Laurie’s experience in local government spans more than 35 years and combines both direct industry experience with a number of NSW Councils at a senior management level, and employment in government and the private sector working specifically with local government.
Laurie’s experience in local government spans more than 35 years and combines both direct industry experience with a number of NSW Councils at a senior management level, and employment in government and the private sector working specifically with local government.
Laurie spent 2 years with Sun Water, the commercial arm of the Queensland Department of Natural Resources in a business development role, consulting on major water infrastructure projects, and a further 3 years as Manager Business and Corporate Services with the Lord Howe Island Board, a statutory authority of the NSW State Government, managing the Board’s commercial undertakings, tourism and financial services.
Laurie joined Practical Computer Services (PCS) in 2003 and through to 2009, managed client relations & marketing, software development and training as well as project managing new council software implementations throughout NSW and Queensland.
In 2009 following acquisition of PCS by Civica Pty Ltd, Laurie moved into a full project management role with Civica, managing major software implementations and strategic business reviews for councils across Australia. In 2015 Laurie’s experience and strong customer focus resulted in his appointment to the role of Manager Support & Services for the Practical Plus product suite in Civica’s portfolio. In that role Laurie was responsible for customer support, training, software development and product implementations.
Throughout his career Laurie has excelled in areas of Administration, Rating and Policy, Financial Management, Information Technology, Strategic Planning, Tourism and Community Governance. He has established a strong affiliation with local government leaders, professionals and elected officials across a number of states. His passion for engagement and achieving results has earned him notable industry credibility, and resulted in his appointment to the State Working Party on the implementation of Financial Reporting Standards in NSW and was a founding executive member of the NSW Local Government Finance Professionals, a respected industry body with now significant membership and influence.
Laurie has now commenced his own consultancy business to capitalise on his extensive industry experience and to provide clients with a satisfaction of service and personal touch that major corporates are unable to deliver.
Laurie brings to the table a wealth of experience and expertise in the local government industry, with a strong knowledge of rural and regional issues impacting the sector, and is available to assist councils and local government service providers to deliver high quality and competitive services to their respective constituents.
Laurie joined Practical Computer Services (PCS) in 2003 and through to 2009, managed client relations & marketing, software development and training as well as project managing new council software implementations throughout NSW and Queensland.
In 2009 following acquisition of PCS by Civica Pty Ltd, Laurie moved into a full project management role with Civica, managing major software implementations and strategic business reviews for councils across Australia. In 2015 Laurie’s experience and strong customer focus resulted in his appointment to the role of Manager Support & Services for the Practical Plus product suite in Civica’s portfolio. In that role Laurie was responsible for customer support, training, software development and product implementations.
Throughout his career Laurie has excelled in areas of Administration, Rating and Policy, Financial Management, Information Technology, Strategic Planning, Tourism and Community Governance. He has established a strong affiliation with local government leaders, professionals and elected officials across a number of states. His passion for engagement and achieving results has earned him notable industry credibility, and resulted in his appointment to the State Working Party on the implementation of Financial Reporting Standards in NSW and was a founding executive member of the NSW Local Government Finance Professionals, a respected industry body with now significant membership and influence.
Laurie has now commenced his own consultancy business to capitalise on his extensive industry experience and to provide clients with a satisfaction of service and personal touch that major corporates are unable to deliver.
Laurie brings to the table a wealth of experience and expertise in the local government industry, with a strong knowledge of rural and regional issues impacting the sector, and is available to assist councils and local government service providers to deliver high quality and competitive services to their respective constituents.
Edna Mendes
CV IN BRIEF – B. Bus Fin Admin, Cert IV Training & Assessing
Edna has a Degree in Finance & Administration and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, along with a host of Business competencies in technical and business software, including Practical Plus, MYOB, Finance One and Imbiblio.
Edna’s experience in local government spans more than 15 years in the finance disciplines with various councils across NSW.
Her career includes employment with Guyra Shire Council as Accountant, Glen Innes Severn Council as Finance Manager, and as Financial Accountant with the New England Strategic Alliance of Councils (NESAC).
Edna’s experience in local government spans more than 15 years in the finance disciplines with various councils across NSW.
Her career includes employment with Guyra Shire Council as Accountant, Glen Innes Severn Council as Finance Manager, and as Financial Accountant with the New England Strategic Alliance of Councils (NESAC).
Edna has also worked extensively in the private sector with a range of businesses and undertakes teaching for Certificate III in Business and Information Technology, Microsoft Excel and MYOB.
Among her many talents, Edna is also a certified LLN Trainer and delivers structured programs on basic computer and lifestyle skills for intellectually disabled students entering the workforce.
Throughout her career Edna has established a unique ability to communicate often difficult technical issues with passion and patience and is highly regarded as a very competent trainer. She has a passion for the Practical Plus Local Government system, as well as MYOB and is competent in all financial related modules.
Edna’s vast skill set offer flexibility in delivery of training, implementation and support services in local government or private sector business and finance disciplines.
Among her many talents, Edna is also a certified LLN Trainer and delivers structured programs on basic computer and lifestyle skills for intellectually disabled students entering the workforce.
Throughout her career Edna has established a unique ability to communicate often difficult technical issues with passion and patience and is highly regarded as a very competent trainer. She has a passion for the Practical Plus Local Government system, as well as MYOB and is competent in all financial related modules.
Edna’s vast skill set offer flexibility in delivery of training, implementation and support services in local government or private sector business and finance disciplines.