Enhance your regional career and connections.

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 and Melissa Welsh A/ED Health NSW, 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 Broken Hill and far west NSW 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.

Melissa Welsh 
Acting Executive Director Clinical Operations 
Ministry of Health 



Melissa moved with her family to live in Broken Hill at the age of 5, completing primary and secondary schooling in Broken Hill before relocating to Adelaide for tertiary study. After completing a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) in 1996, she continued to live and work in Adelaide.

She relocated back to Broken Hill with a young family and commenced working for what is now the Far West Local Health District in 2007, first in a management role within Occupational Therapy, then moving into the Clinical Redesign and Innovation Manager role in 2014, gaining qualifications in Project Management and Clinical Redesign. Within that role, she worked as the change manager for the $30M Broken Hill Health Service redevelopment, which included the building of the community health centre on the corner of Crystal and Sulphide Streets, as well as refurbishment of the Broken Hill Health Service ambulatory wing. 

In 2019, she moved into a senior executive role and has been the Director Allied Health and Integrated Community Services since 2020, which includes oversight of allied health, medical imaging, pharmacy, child and family health, violence, abuse and neglect, and dental services, as well as the LHD Project Management Office.

She is currently the Acting Executive Director Clinical Operations for the LHD, with oversight of all facilities, including clinical service delivery within Broken Hill Health Service and the remote health facilities across the district, cancer and palliative care, aged care, disaster management, and security and safety culture. She is currently completing her Executive Masters of Public Administration through ANZSOG.

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 IPAA's 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 | Australian Central Standard Time (ACST)

When: Tuesday, 29 September 2026

Where: Venue to be confirmed, Broken Hill

Cost: Bronze, Silver and Gold Member: Free

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