Five experienced locals have been selected to form Kiama Council’s first Finance Advisory Committee.

“I am really hopeful this group will be able to give both this Council and the new Council really good advice on its long term financial strategy,” says Council’s CEO Jane Stroud.

“We have some really talented professionals, and when you combine them with our new 355 committee for Blue Haven, and our refreshed Audit and Risk committee, we’ve got amazing resources to give really good advice.

“It is a very comforting fact that there are many members of the community wanting to volunteer and share their knowledge and experience in improving Council's financial position.”

The committee members, selected out of 29 applicants, are:

• Anna-Leena Risku – who worked for most of her career with IBM, in finance, operations and strategy roles, both here and overseas. She has held positions of Financial Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Program Director.
• Elizabeth Kelly –a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she has held positions such as Deputy Secretary bringing significant government experience to the committee.
• Graeme Gherashe – who has over 25 years’ experience in senior executive roles in large organisations and holds an MBA in Finance and HR. He is an active community advocate and currently sits on Kiama Cultural Board.
• Jim Thomson –a barrister with significant experience in local government matters, his skills will bring value to both analytical financial challenges and any potential problematic legal issues
• Mark Greaves – an active community member and the current President of the Kiama Central Precinct Committee, who has significant experience in advising boards during times of change.

The group’s first agenda will be to finalise the terms of reference for the committee, review the draft financial sustainability plan and review the independent peer review plans of work.

“I will be really interested in what their views are,” says Ms Stroud. 

Ms Risku, who moved to Gerroa in 2016, and says she put up her hand as she was interested in doing something for the community. “I am recently retired, and think it is great that I can use my skills in a way that will benefit the community.”

Jim Thomson, who moved down here a year and a half ago and is winding up his practice, was also motivated by wanting to give something back. 

“The community down here has been so supportive and friendly, and it is a great opportunity to give something back.

“I am looking forward to looking at what is actually involved, as it seems to be a fairly novel idea. It will be great to see how it can achieve better outcomes for ratepayers.”