This year our judges for the competition are:
Rachael Whitney-Smith
Curriculum Specialist, Mathematics
ACARA
Rachael Whitney-Smith, Curriculum Specialist, Mathematics, Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is responsible for the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics.
Rachael coordinated the development and review of the F–10 Australian Curriculum: Mathematics and led the development of the National Numeracy Learning Progressions Version 3.0. Rachael is currently leading the realignment and updating of the Australian Curriculum: Senior Secondary Mathematics subjects.
Rachael has worked as a Mathematics consultant F-12, a professional officer for the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT) and the Executive Officer for the Mathematical Association of Western Australia (MAWA). She has also previously worked as a Secondary Mathematics teacher in NSW and WA and as a head of Department (Mathematics). Rachael has participated in several international and national projects including OECD Education 2030: Mathematics Curriculum Document Analysis Project.
Grant Brodie
Deputy Commissioner
Individuals and Intermediaries
Grant is the Deputy Commissioner for Individuals and Intermediaries (IAI) within the Compliance & Engagement Group (CEG). Grant is committed to work that strengthens the integrity and performance of Australia’s tax system by supporting taxpayers to meet their obligations and ensuring high levels of voluntary compliance. He is focused on improving the experience of individuals and tax practitioners by providing tools and services that make it easy to comply and hard not to.
Grant previously led Frontline Services in the Frontline Operations group for over 7 years along with the Tax Time preparations for the ATO and the ATO’s Business Continuity and Adverse Events Framework.
Prior to joining the ATO in 2017, Grant held senior roles in retail operations for over 30 years with organisations such as B&Q in the UK and Woolworths group in Australia. An accomplished executive with substantial experience in operations, buying/merchandising and change management, Grant brings together a continued focus on improving the taxpayer experience and a passion for developing and working with people to positively lead and influence in the workplace.
With experience leading diverse workforces Grant has always been focussed on culture and employee engagement as key enablers to improving service and achieving operational excellence.
Sarah Vawser
Assistant Commissioner
Individuals and Intermediaries
Sarah Vawser is a senior leader at the ATO, with significant leadership experience spanning a diverse range of portfolios across the ATO.
In her current role as Assistant Commissioner Engagement and Support, Individuals and Intermediaries, she works closely with the tax profession to enhance the overall experience of individuals and tax practitioners by ensuring they have the support and resources necessary to make it easier to comply, and ultimately meet their tax obligations.
Sarah is a keen advocate for building a strong public service through integrity, mentoring, and keeping the community at the heart of what we do to deliver public value.
Sarah holds a Master of Business Administration (Accounting) from the University of South Australia, and is currently completing the Executive Master of Public Administration through the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG).
Jane Temby
Assistant Commissioner
External Communications
With almost 20 years’ experience across Government and the private sector, Jane is an experienced leader with a passion for creating teams with a positive and collaborative culture. Jane is also experienced in stakeholder management, including Ministers, Secretaries and other Senior Executive, and works to deliver practical solutions to issues.
Jane has led the ATO’s External Scrutiny and Governance Branch in ATO Corporate where she was responsible for strengthening the relationship with the Tax Ombudsman, and now leads the External Communications Branch in ATO Corporate. Jane believes in striking the balance between technically accurate and effective and accessible communication.