Board of Management

Northside Community Service acknowledges the professional capabilities of our Board of Management in providing consistent management to the organisation, ensuring the best decisions for the delivery of services across North Canberra and broader community.

Ken Horsham – President

In his role as President of Northside Community Service, Ken Horsham provides leadership in governance to the Board drawing on his extensive experience in Commonwealth, State and local jurisdictions. He has managed diverse and large public sector agencies engaged in the delivery of a complex range of human services, has significant experience in the leadership of not-for-profit organisations and in the planning and development of community infrastructure.

Paul Taylor – Vice President

After a long career as a Senior Executive in both Commonwealth Government and ACT Government, Paul Taylor established his own management consulting business providing strategic advice to various government agencies and other organisations. Paul is a member of the Audit and Finance Committee and the Business Development Committee. He is also a Director on the Board of Goodwin Aged Care Services.


Vicki Williams – Treasurer

Vicki Williams is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has 25 years financial management experience across the for profit and not-for-profit sectors, in a number of diverse industries, holding senior roles in Media, Professional Associations, Air Traffic Management and Health Care. More recently Vicki was the Chief Financial Officer at Calvary Health Care ACT for nearly 6 years, which runs a public and private hospital in the ACT.

Robert Smyth – Secretary (Public Officer)

Robert Smyth has had over 25 years involvement in the real estate industry with a broad range of local and overseas property experience, including corporate real estate, property valuation, funds management, project management, property and facilities management, investment and financial consultancy. He is currently Principal of Weston Advisory, a Canberra based real estate and business advisory firm, and is the ACT Divisional President of the Australian Property Institute.

Penny Allbon – Member

Penny Allbon was appointed Director of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in February 2006. She has over 20 years of experience in government, at both Commonwealth and Territory levels and within the financial, health and welfare arenas. She joined the public service in 1981, working for the Commonwealth Department of Finance before transferring to the ACT Treasury in 1988 in the lead up to self-government. She also served as Treasury representative in the office of ACT Chief Minister Rosemary Follett. Dr. Allbon spent seven years in ACT Health before becoming Chief Executive of the Department in 2000. In addition to health policy and funding, she managed areas responsible for people with a disability, drug and alcohol and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues. She also gained experience in the housing arena as ACT Commissioner for Housing when responsibility for housing was merged with Health for a 12 month period.

David Garratt – Member

David Garratt was appointed Principal of Daramalan College in late October 2002, serving in that role until his retirement from a 45 year teaching career in December 2008. He has extensive experience in education administration and on committees allocating government funding for educational programs. David was on the founding Boards of two schools, St. Francis Xavier and Orana School for Rudolf Steiner Education, and was Chair of the latter. He was a community representative on the Dickson Neighbourhood Planning Group and continues as a member of the Board of the National Folk Festival.

Ben Tallboys – Member

A member of the Northside Community Services’ Board of Management since October 2007, Ben is an Associate at Griffin Legal, where he specialises in litigation, corporate governance and intellectual property. Ben advises a number of not-for-profit Canberra organisations as part of his work. Originally hailing from Tasmania, Ben has lived in the Inner North Canberra since 2001. Consistent with his living arrangements, Ben has a strong interest in promoting the inner north community. Ben holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Bachelor of Economics (BeC) and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Australian National University and a Graduate Certificate in Trade Mark Law and Practice from the University of Technology, Sydney.

Leanne Monte – Member

Leanne Monte has over 30 years experience in health-related organisations in the ACT, including a diverse range of public and private sector management and executive positions. Her experience and skills have focused on people management, and managing substantial change in organisations. Additionally, Leanne has a key interest in strategic management and business planning.