Enhance your regional career and connections.

Are you building your career in the public sector while living and working in Ballina and the Northern Rivers region?

Do you want to expand your network and connect with peers across the region?

Join Jo Rose, IPAA CEO, Kathrina Lo, Public Service Commissioner, and Julie-Anne Tooth, Chief People Officer DPRID, to explore:

• The skills and capabilities every modern public servant needs, with a regional lens
• How networking across the public sector can accelerate your career development
• The opportunities and challenges unique to working in regional public sector workplaces

This free, face-to-face, event is designed for all public servants working in the Newcastle and Hunter region and includes time for audience Q&A and networking over lunch.

This event is part of IPAA NSW’s new regional program of activities being developed to better support NSW public servants who live and work outside Sydney.

What Will You Gain ?

If you want to develop your public sector career, this event will help you:

• Understand the skills and capabilities needed for success in the public sector
• Get more value out of public sector networking opportunities
• Recognise and take advantage of what makes regional public sector workplaces unique.

Sponsor Acknowledgment

SPEAKERS

Julie-Ann Tooth
Chief People Officer
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPRID)

Dr Julie-Anne Tooth is currently the Chief People Officer at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) where she supports a statewide workforce of 5000 people, 75% who proudly live and work in regional NSW.

Julie-Anne has over 30 years of experience in human resources, combined with some diverse (and frequently unexpected) career moves including into regional public transport operations and customer service, professional executive coaching, transformation consultancy, research and academia. Raised in rural NSW but needing to move to the city to gain employment, she is passionate about creating opportunities for the next generation of regional kids - enabling them to live, work and play (and stay) in regional NSW.

As a Councillor of IPAA NSW, she is delighted to be a sponsor and advocate for the Regional Events Strategy that brings events like Gov Gathers to life.

Kathrina Lo
Public Service Commissioner
Office of the NSW Public Service Commissioner

Kathrina joined the NSW Public Service Commission in April 2020 after previously working as a Deputy Secretary for the Department of Communities and Justice.

Kathrina has extensive public sector experience with both state and federal governments. She has held senior executive roles in the NSW Department of Justice, NSW Audit Office and NSW Information and Privacy Commission. Kathrina is on the board of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government and is a member of Chief Executive Women.

Kathrina has qualifications in law and economics and is passionate about working in the public interest, and is a champion for diversity and inclusion.
The Public Service Commissioner is an independent office holder.

HOST

Jo Rose
Chief Executive Officer
IPAA NSW

As the CEO, Jo oversees the strategic direction of the organisation.

She liaises between Council, staff and key stakeholders to ensure IPAA's offerings are aligned with the changing needs of the public sector.

Jo is also responsible for the design of IPAA NSW's integrated program, ensuring it remains focused on contemporary, NSW public sector stories.

Jo is passionate about members and ensuring we create an environment where all voices are heard, where diversity is celebrated, and where we honour the knowledge and experiences of everyone through a deep sense of belonging.

Jo has led IPAAs digital transformation, the revitalisation of our learning program and the design of IPAAs private sector partnerships.

Prior to IPAA, Jo worked as an advocate for the creative industries and was an award winning film and TV producer.

How to Register

Please note: All NSW Public Servants are entitled to complimentary Bronze Membership with IPAA NSW and are eligible for member rates. Activate your membership here.

Event Details

Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm

When: Tuesday, 3 November 2026

Where: Venue to be confirmed, Ballina

Cost: Bronze, Silver and Gold Member: Free

Be at your best, for NSW.
Register now to secure your spot.