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.
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.
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.
Pro Patria Centre Strategic Business Plan
Developed a five-year plan to guide the Centre’s growth, strengthen governance, and position it as a leading regional hub for veteran health and wellbeing.
Community Governance and Capability Workshops - Towong, Temora and Bland Shires
Karoo Consultancy, auspiced by Alpine Valleys Community Leadership, delivered interactive workshops to strengthen governance, compliance, and succession planning for small community groups.
Good Governance Workshops - Bega Valley Shire
Under the auspice of Bega Valley Business Forum, Karoo Consultancy facilitated practical governance workshops helping community organisations adopt AICD’s Not-for-Profit Governance Principles and assess board diversity and skills.
Community Project Management - Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program
Delivered engaging sessions on planning, managing, and evaluating community projects, supporting participants in the 2023 and 2024 annual programs to design and share their own initiatives.
Services
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Calm, confidential mentoring for regional leaders, volunteers and emerging practitioners.
> 1:1 and cohort mentoring
> Practical tools & templates
> Strength‑based focus
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Issue framing, compelling briefs and coordinated campaigns grounded in local evidence and lived experience.
> Messaging & narrative
> Briefs & board packs
> Stakeholder alignment
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From concept to delivery: charters, schedules, budgets, risks and partner coordination for regional projects.
> Scoping & benefits definition
> Delivery governance & reporting
> Grant readiness & acquittals