Introducing

Mary Hoodless

I’m Mary Hoodless, a regional leader and consultant based in Jingellic, NSW, with 35+ years across governance, strategy, health and community services. As founder of Karoo Consultancy (est. 2011) and current Director, Destination Riverina Murray, I partner with councils, boards, agencies, not‑for‑profits and community to translate conversations into decisions, and decisions into delivery.

Mary Hoodless

Current Governance & Community Roles

  • Director, Destination Riverina Murray (appointed September 2024 – present)

  • Vice President, Jingellic Rural Fire Service; Community Engagement Officer

Board & Committee Memberships 

  • Director: Destination Riverina Murray (2024 – present)

  • Director & Chair: Regional Development Australia – Murray (Member 2018–2025; Chair 2019–2025)

  • Director: Murray Riverina COMPACT Board (2016–2018)

  • Director: Deputy Chair Corryong Health (2020)

  • Snowy Valleys Council Bush Fire Recovery Community Advisory Committee (2020)

  • Coordinator: Jingellic RFS Recovery Committee

  • Upper Murray Economic Recovery Committee (2020)

  • Towong Shire/Upper Murray Economic Development Committee (2020)

  • South West Softwoods Hub Working Group (2019 – current)

  • Chair: Quality & Community Services Victoria (2000–2002)

  • Director: Quality Community Services Association (QISCA) (2002–2006)

  • Walwa & District Community Emergency Response Committee — Treasurer (2012–2018)

  • Jingellic & District PA&H Association — President (2015–2019)

  • Chair: Sacred Heart Parish Council (2012–2016)

Qualifications & Professional Development

  • Master of Applied Science (Research)

  • Graduate Certificate of Education (Tertiary)

  • Certificate IV in Training & Assessment

  • Diploma of Population Health

  • Diploma of Project Management

  • Diploma of Management

  • Bachelor of Nursing (Registered Nurse 1979–2018)

  • Registered Midwife (1980–2010)

Memberships

  • Australian Institute of Company Directors

  • Alumni — La Trobe University; Federation University

Awards & Recognition

  • 2022 National & NSW Emergency Services Community Service Medal

  • 2020 NSW Government Community Services Award

  • 2019 Australia Day Special Achievement Award — Snowy Valleys Council

  • 2019 NSW Rural Fire Service: 40‑year Long Service Medal

  • 2014 Golden Key International Honour Society Academic Award

  • Honorary appointments: University of Melbourne (Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences) 2009–2013; La Trobe University (Nursing) 1999

Publications & Peer Review

  • Peer Review Panel Member (2010–2018), Elsevier: Nurse Education Today (International Journal of Health Care Education).

  • Published in peer‑reviewed journals; presented case studies and research at national and international conferences.

Recent Projects

RAMJO – Draft Statement of Strategic Regional Priorities (2025–2035)

Lead facilitator & synthesis

Integrated 11 Community Strategic Plans under RAMJO’s Social, Environmental and Economic Wellbeing pillars; produced actions, measures and advocacy points for a regional roadmap (project paused).

Greater Hume CSP (2025–2035)

Engagement design & analysis

Rapid 13‑day engagement reaching 1,014 participants (~10% of LGA); delivered evidence‑rich insights coded to QBL for council decision‑making.

Southern NSW Drought Summit & Taskforce

Co‑convener & advocacy

Multi‑LGA collaboration to surface producer impacts and policy gaps; briefs to MPs; formation pathway for a regional mayoral taskforce.

All Hands on Deck – Disaster Readiness Forums

Design & facilitation

Cross‑agency forums (RFS/SES/Red Cross/health) equipping volunteers and residents with practical preparedness tools and contacts.

Fischer Community Leadership Program

Program co‑design & delivery

Place‑based leadership development across Greater Hume & Federation – building capability, confidence and networks.

Services

  • Board and executive coaching, chairing complex stakeholder sessions, and converting vision into measurable priorities.

    > Strategy to action roadmaps

    > Board workshops & offsites

    > Succession planning & capability lifts

  • Long‑horizon strategy for councils, boards and regions – clear priorities, evidence and measures that translate to delivery.

    > 10–15 year strategies & roadmaps

    > KPIs, measures & benefits

    > Delivery Program & Operational Plan alignment

  • Independent, outcomes‑driven facilitation for councils, industry and community – from town‑hall conversations to multi‑agency forums.

    > High‑engagement workshops

    > Complex, multi‑party negotiations

    > Clear artefacts: syntheses, briefs, actions

  • Practical governance uplift: reviews, skills matrices, CEO performance frameworks and risk/quality systems.

    > Governance reviews & improvement plans

    > CEO KPI & position reviews

    > Policies, risk & quality systems

  • Evidence‑based engagement that reaches real people in real time – rapid and representative where it counts.

    > Design & deliver CSP engagement

    > Survey + qualitative coding

    > Clear, visual reporting for decisions

  • Calm, confidential mentoring for regional leaders, volunteers and emerging practitioners.

    > 1:1 and cohort mentoring

    > Practical tools & templates

    > Strength‑based focus

  • Issue framing, compelling briefs and coordinated campaigns grounded in local evidence and lived experience.

    > Messaging & narrative

    > Briefs & board packs

    > Stakeholder alignment

  • From concept to delivery: charters, schedules, budgets, risks and partner coordination for regional projects.

    > Scoping & benefits definition

    > Delivery governance & reporting

    > Grant readiness & acquittals