The Honourable Kon Vatskalis JP

Chair

Kon was born on the Greek island of Cephalonia and spent most of his early life in Athens, Greece. He migrated to Australia in 1983 and pursued further studies in public health, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health from the Western Australian Institute of Technology in 1986, followed by a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science from Murdoch University in 1989. He later completed a Graduate Certificate in Public Service Management through Flinders University.

After relocating to Darwin in 1994, Kon worked with the Department of Health and later with Danila Dilba, an Indigenous health service provider. His commitment to public service led to his election to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in 2001 as the Member for Casuarina. He was immediately appointed as a Minister and served in the Territory Labor Government until 2012. His ministerial portfolios included Health, Mining and Primary Industries, Tourism, Sport, Infrastructure and Planning, and Children and Families.

Kon resigned from the Legislative Assembly in 2014 and commenced work with the Leukaemia Foundation in 2015. In recognition of his contribution to politics in the Northern Territory, he was granted the lifelong title of “Honourable” by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2014.

In 2017, Kon was elected as Lord Mayor of Darwin, a role in which he continues to serve. He also holds the position of President of the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory (LGANT), where he advocates for strong, effective local government and regional development across the Territory.

Vin Lange

Committee Member

Originally from South Australia, Vin has been involved in agribusiness for 30 years. He has successfully created and run small, medium and large businesses in Australia and Europe.

Vin’s enduring support for, and experience with, remote Aboriginal people has given him an understanding and skills that have seen Centrefarm map out a path for the ethical and practical development of the Territory’s vast Aboriginal estate. He was a Centrefarm Director prior to entering the management team and his subsequent appointment as CEO. Centrefarm / TopEnd Farm is an Aboriginal-owned commercial entity and the peak body for Aboriginal economic development. Centrefarm works across a wide range of industries whilst retaining a significant focus on primary industry.

Sharon Hillen

Committee Member

Sharon has worked in remote regional community development and Local Government for last two decades. She has a history in project and executive management and land use management.

Prior to working in local government Sharon worked for the NT Government and as the Regional Manager for Greening Australia in the Big Rivers region. She is experienced in governance, infrastructure development, community consultation, and strategic planning.

Sharon has direct experience in the identification of community priorities, and the following negotiation of strong, productive partnerships (including funding agreements) between Government and communities necessary to address those community priorities.

Jimmy Cocking

Treasurer and Public Officer

Jimmy Cocking is the CEO of Desert Knowledge Australia, a statutory corporation of the Northern Territory. Jimmy has lived in Mparntwe-Alice Springs for 16 years. He has worked in the sustainability, conservation and community advocacy fields for more than 20 years and was an elected member of the Alice Springs Town Council from 2017-2022.

Jimmy is passionate about sustainable regional development and supporting economic development opportunities for First Nations communities. Jimmy has initiated a range of projects and events in central Australia including the Ecofair, Wide Open Space Festival, Alice Springs Community Garden, Westside Community Garden and played a key role in the establishment of the 10 Deserts Project, an Indigenous-led cross-border collaborative conservation project.

Alison Ross

Committee Member
Big Rivers Region

Alison Ross is the owner and Principal of Elders Real Estate Katherine, where she brings over two decades of expertise in the Top End’s dynamic property market. Since moving to Katherine in 2000 and acquiring her business eight years ago, Alison has witnessed significant shifts in regional demographics, equipping her with a unique understanding of population trends across northern Australia.

Alison currently serves as Chair of the Big Rivers Region Economic Growth Committee, a role appointed by the Chief Minister’s Office, where she has led initiatives to foster regional development over the past three years. Her commitment to the industry extends to her position as a board member and Treasurer of the Real Estate Institute of the Northern Territory.

In addition to her real estate career, Alison owned and operated a small irrigation property on the Katherine River for 15 years, dedicating five of those years to cultivating a variety of horticultural crops for food production. This experience has given her a practical perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing agriculture in the NT.

Alison’s expertise in real estate has seen her negotiate and transact on some of the NT’s largest pastoral properties, alongside a variety of horticultural and, more recently, forestry properties in both the Katherine region and the east Kimberley. Her broad experience across diverse land uses provides her with valuable insights into the evolving needs of the Top End’s agricultural sector.

John Jansen

Committee Member

John has owned and managed multiple enterprises in the last 20 years, working across tourism, retail, transport, and business service industries. He was raised on a cattle property on the NT/WA border and spent most of his young adult life working on and managing cattle stations.

John was previously elected to the Pine Creek Community Government Council and has participated on many community boards and committees. John has worked with Aboriginal people, particularly in remote areas, all his life and is now assisting Aboriginal people to get started in business. In 2003 he established North Australian Rural Management Consultants (NARMCO), based in Katherine, to assist with business development and provide mentoring across a variety of industries.

Mary Watson

Committee Member
Darwin

Mary is the CEO of the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory (LGANT). With an extensive background in public administration and a strong commitment to supporting regional and local governance, Mary has held senior leadership roles that include strategic oversight and advocacy for local councils. Her work is distinguished by her ability to advance collaborative efforts and sustainable development in the region.

Luke Walker

Committee Member
East Arnhem Region

Luke is the CEO of Developing East Arnhem Limited, established to facilitate investment and economic development opportunities in East Arnhem between Traditional Owners, local organisations and businesses, governments, and investors. East Arnhem is transitioning from dependence on the long-term Rio Tinto mining operations, creating the potential for the development of a diversified sustainable economy that supports local jobs and infrastructure.

He has over 20 years of senior executive experience across diverse organisations, from NFP to ASX, and within multiple industries, including tourism, hospitality, casinos, and resorts. He has experience on boards, peak industry committees, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Originally from Sydney, he has lived and worked across several states and territories, including a previous national role that allowed him to spend lengthy periods of time in various parts of the NT.

Angela Sammon

Committee Member
Barkly Region

Angela Sammon is an Indigenous entrepreneur from the Barkly region who co-leads Sammon’s Contracting Pty Ltd with her husband David, together they also manage Banks Banka Station and Tourist Park.

Angela and David are two of the four co-founders of Mona Aboriginal Corporation, empowering young people today for a better tomorrow.

Sammon’s Contracting delivers rural contracting services based in Barkly, and runs on country, community focused programs that create local jobs and youth pathways. Recent milestones include successfully partnering with Sun Cable, her appointment to the Barkly Regional Deal representing the Indigenous business seat, membership of the Barkly Regional Alliance Committee, her role on the Regional Development Australia Northern Territory Committee representing the Barkly, and her position on the Elliot Local Authority for Barkly Shire Council. Angela’s approach combines practical delivery in remote settings with a commitment to community development and cultural continuity.

Her passion is grounded in community with strong connections to culture and country which inform how their programs are designed and delivered. In the business, Angela leads engagement with partners and stakeholders, coordinates delivery across community and focuses on building sustainable employment for Indigenous people in the region. She brings experience leading community initiatives and project delivery, with a focus on co design and inclusive decision making that strengthens local capability.

Angela’s leadership reflects a commitment to social empowerment within community, creating real jobs that secure income and opportunity for generations to come. She designs culturally appropriate programs that honour traditional knowledge while building economic participation, ensuring that practical, on-the-ground work creates an everlasting impact and strengthens long-term community resilience.

James Morgan

Committee Member
Top End Region

James Morgan is a Bininj man from Kakadu in the Northern Territory. He has worked across the Commonwealth Public Service for 10 years, with experience in project management, human resources, communications and operations in both Canberra and Kakadu.

James is passionate about economic self-determination for First Nations people, founding Yibekka Kakadu Rock Art Tours and the Bininj Mungguy Aboriginal Corporation, where he serves as Managing Director. The corporation partners with Kakadu National Park, national science projects and other industries to deliver jobs for Bininj/Mungguy people through a locally designed and managed labour hire service.

James has contributed to a number of advisory bodies, including the Commonwealth Aborginal and Torres Strait Islander Expert Working Groip on Indifenous Cultural and Interlectual Property, the Tourism NT Aboriginal Tourism Committee and the Kakadu National Park Bininj Mungguy Research Advisory Committee. James also serves as a voluntary non-executive director of Oxfam Australia and is a member of the Finance, Risk and Assurance sub-committee.

James holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is currently practising as a lawyer at Bowden McCormack Lawyers.

Sid Vashist MAICD

Committee Member
Barkly Region

Sid Vashist is an Australian Indian leader who has proudly called Tennant Creek home for nearly 15 years. With a career spanning local government, the private sector, NGOs, and state government, Sid has built a reputation for strong governance, regional advocacy, and community-first solutions. He currently serves as Mayor of the Barkly Regional Council, bringing with him extensive experience in regional development and remote community service.

An alumnus of the Australia India Youth Dialogue, Sid has cultivated a significant network across the Indo-Pacific and is passionate about strengthening partnerships in the region. He sees Darwin and Northern Australia as pivotal to unlocking economic opportunities with South-East Asia and strategically valuable for reinforcing the resilience of the broader Indo-Pacific.

Sid is also a strong advocate for building national and regional connectivity. In partnership with Mount Isa City Council, he is actively progressing work to strengthen east–west corridors, enabling greater economic integration between the Port of Darwin and the Port of Townsville. He believes this strategic link will empower Northern Australia to serve as a true gateway between Asia and the rest of the nation.

With a degree in Business Management (Finance and Management), Sid’s diverse career has included being the youngest elected councillor in the Barkly’s history, chairing the Tennant Creek Local Authority, serving as Director of Corporate Services at Barkly Regional Council, and working with the NT Minister for Local Government. His leadership is grounded in practical solutions, transparency, and collaboration across sectors.

Beyond his professional commitments, Sid is deeply invested in community life. Together with his wife Elly, he is raising their young son Victor in Tennant Creek, where he remains an active participant in sports, cultural events, and grassroots initiatives.

Sid’s focus on innovation, connectivity, and regional empowerment aligns closely with RDA NT’s mission to strengthen Northern Australia’s role as a driver of growth, opportunity, and resilience.

Belinda Urquhart

Advisory Member

Belinda Urquhart is the Chief Executive Officer of MacDonnell Regional Council, where she leads with a strong commitment to community-driven outcomes and long-term regional sustainability. With extensive leadership experience across both government and non-government sectors, she has focused on cultural change, organisational development, and service improvement since stepping into the role.

Under her guidance, MacDonnell Regional Council has become one of the largest employers of Aboriginal people in Central Australia, creating meaningful career pathways and fostering a skilled and stable workforce. Her emphasis on training, empowerment, and strategic planning has strengthened the Council’s ability to deliver quality services, maintain financial responsibility, and invest in vital community infrastructure.

Beyond her executive leadership, Belinda brings a diverse professional background as a Registered Midwife specialising in Neonatal Intensive Care, an Accredited Mediator with the Australian Mediation Association, and a Prosci Certified Change Manager. These qualifications highlight her versatility and deep commitment to supporting communities in multiple ways.

Belinda’s vision is one of sustainable development and community empowerment. She believes the strength of the region lies in its people and their cultural heritage, and she is dedicated to working in partnership with Federal and Territory governments to build stronger, more resilient communities across Central Australia.

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Our Committee

Our Committee is comprised of local leaders with broad and diverse skills and experience, who understand the challenges, opportunities and priorities in their local community.

The Chair of the committee is appointed by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, while the other members are selected through an open and competitive process based on the needs and priorities of the committee.

The committee is responsible for setting the strategic direction and priorities of RDA NT, overseeing its operations and ensuring its accountability and compliance. The committee is representative of the diverse regions across the Northern Territory, ensuring that all areas have a voice and that the strategies developed are inclusive and beneficial for the entire territory.