Vernon Lawrence

Chief Executive Officer 
Email: Vernon Lawrence

Vernon Lawrence is the Chief Executive Officer

Vernon is a Chartered Accountant by profession. He has a varied work experience that includes working in professional services for Deloittes in Taxation Services, working for the South African Revenue Services, being the managing director and shareholder of a privately owned business in the transport service industry and having local government experience. Vernon has extensive experience in financial management, long term financial planning and risk. He plans to ensure that the Shire is on a sound financial footing, has properly planned for the ongoing funding of the asset management plans and takes the opportunity to make use of information technology to improve effectiveness and efficiency of Shire processes.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Commerce

Bachelor of Accounting

Higher Diploma in Tax Law

Professional Memberships

South African Institute of Chartered Accountants

Nick Kearns

Director Planning and Community Development
Email: Nick Kearns

Nick Kearns is the Director of Planning & Community
Development and responsible for the following areas:

• Community Services – Childcare; Youth; Recreation and Leisure

• Library Services

• Integrated Planning and Reporting

• Community Engagement

• Property Management

• Planning Services

• Building Services

• Environmental Health Services

Nick has over 25 years in many senior management roles in local government. His core focus is strategic and land use planning, economic development, major projects, community development and stakeholder engagement and has qualifications in planning and business management.

Felicity Heading

Director Corporate Services
Email: Felicity Heading

Felicity is the Director Corporate Services and is responsible for:

• Finance
• Customer Service
• Information and Communication Technology
• Records Management
• Contracts and Procurement

Felicity has worked at the Shire for over ten years in a number of roles within the Finance Department including Rates, Coordinator Financial Operations and Manager Finance and Customer Services. She has a comprehensive knowledge of the Shire’s finances along with extensive local knowledge. 

Felicity has lived in Kununurra for over 30 years and prior to working for the Shire managed family businesses incorporating various enterprises including tropical forestry, mangoes and agricultural contracting. 

Felicity’s focus is on providing effective and efficient corporate support across the organisation with an emphasis on ensuring the Shire’s long term financial sustainability, and on providing Customer Services that meet the expectations of the community.  

Qualifications
Master of Agribusiness
Graduate Certificate of Commerce
Associate Diploma in Farm Management

Professional Memberships
Local Government Professionals WA
Institute of Public Accountants
Institute of Financial Accountants