Extension Of Appointment For The Audit And Risk Committee Chair & Appointment Of New Independent Committee Member

Karen Finzel0:00

Good afternoon and welcome to the opening of the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 11th of November 2025. Noting that all Councillors are present and accounted for, we've got Councillor Wilkie, Councillor Wilson, and Councillor Phillips online welcome. To the Councillors in the gallery, Councillor Lorentson and Councillor Wegener. Thank you for joining us this afternoon. Warm welcome to the CEO and all the staff in the gallery. Noosa Council proudly acknowledges and respects Australia's First Nations people, and their deep and abiding connection to this country. We recognise the Kabi Kabi people as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of Noosa area. And offer our gratitude for their careful custodianship of this unique environment over thousands of years. Can we please have confirmation of the Minutes? I move I'll move it Madam Chair. I'll second. Thank you. Did we get that? We'll take it to the vote. All in favour? Yes. That's unanimous. Thank you. Yes. Thanks Jess. That's a yes from Councillor Phillips online. There are no presentations, no deputations. We're up to agenda item number seven. Reports for consideration of the Committee will start with 7.1 extension of appointment for the Audit and Risk Committee Chair and appointment of a new independent committee member and I welcome the writer report writer Jonci Wolff to the table to give us a report. Good afternoon and welcome. You. Thank you. Well written report, very extensive and comprehensive.

Yes, so this report seeks the adoption of two changes to the Audit and Risk Committee membership. The first one is the extension of the current Chair Timothy Tim Cronin to include the final meeting of the 2025 calendar year scheduled for 12th of December. The revised timing for the completion of Council's financial statements required the rescheduling of the committee's final meeting date for this calendar year from the 24th of October. To the 12th of December. The revised meeting date in December extends beyond the Chair's term of appointment, accordingly it is proposed to extend the Chair's appointment to include that final meeting to ensure continuity and leadership in the Audit and Risk Committee. It is understood extension to the Chair's appointment is acceptable at the discretion of Council. The second item is then the replacement of Tim Cronin as the independent member with the anticipated term expiry at the 12th of December with the last meeting of this year. The selection, so in anticipation of Tim's term expiry, a new independent member for the Audit and Risk Committee. Was through an Expression of Interest process. The selection panel consisted of independent member Ian Rushworth, Mark Gat, and member, Audit and Risk Committee member Nicola Wilson. Council received 29 high-quality applications, which was fantastic. And from this selection process interviews, Christina Wyer emerged as their preferred and outstanding candidate. It is therefore recommended that Council appoint Christina Wyer as the new Audit and Risk Committee for a three-year term commencing 15th December 2025, pretty much the first business day after Tim Cronin, current independent member, Chair leaves the committee. Kristina is a seasoned non-executive Director and chartered accountant with nearly 30 years of global experience in the financial sector, including significant work for Jake JP Morgan. She maintains a strong portfolio of board and committee memberships that are testament to her excellent and sought-after expertise. Current memberships include, but are not limited to, Audit and Risk Committee of Hume Bank. Is a very significant enterprise. Fred Hollows Foundation, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, and she's also the non-executive Director of .au Domain Administration. In sum, we're fortunate to have attracted Christina to the role of independent member of the Audit and Risk Committee, bringing extensive experience in financial management, governance, and board and committee leadership that will greatly benefit Council's oversight functions and just to top it off she's also a local so she has a good understanding of the community which is fantastic. Happy to take any questions.

Nicola Wilson5:17

Happy to move the motion and happy to second. Would you like to speak to that Councillor? Yes please. First of all I support the extension of Tim Cronin's appointment as just to Chair just to make sure that he can complete the final anticipated meeting of his term and close out the 2025 financials and I just want to put on record my thanks to Tim Cronin for his service to us for the last six years being a very dedicated member. Audit the and risk committee from what I've been able to see in my 18 months there so thank you to him and as Jyoti mentioned I was on the selection committee selection panel for the new member and very excited that we've got Christina Wyer joining us so really looking forward to working with her and fully support her appointment. Fantastic. Any further questions or any further comments?