Governing Board

The role of the Board is to direct and control the affairs of the Joint Organisation. The Board consults with the Executive Officer in directing and controlling the affairs of the Joint Organisation.

The RAMJO Board comprises the Mayors of the Member Councils (the voting members), as well as Mayors of Associate Member Councils (non voting members), Department of Regional NSW (a non-voting member), and the General Managers of the Member and Associate Member Councils (also non-voting members). The Board is supported by an Executive Officer.

Chairperson

Cr Ruth McRae OAM from Murrumbidgee Council has been appointed Chair, and Cr Doug Curran from Griffith City Council has been appointed Deputy Chair at the Board Meeting held November 8 2024.

The Chairperson is elected for a two year term by the voting representatives of the Board, from one of the Mayoral representatives. The Chairperson is the Joint Organisation’s spokesperson on strategic matters and leads and represents RAMJO at delegations, regional forums and meetings.

In the absence of the Chairperson at a Board meeting, a person elected by the representatives at the meeting of the Board presides at the meeting.

The Chairperson or other person presiding at the meeting is responsible for the conduct of the meeting, but does not have a casting vote.

Executive Officer

The Executive Officer is appointed by the Board and carries out the day-to-day operations of RAMJO in accordance with the Local Government Act and Regulations and the policies and directions of the Board and Chairperson.  Currently RAMJO has an Interim Executive Officer, Mr Brett Stonestreet PSM.

Mr Brett Stonestreet PSM
Interim Executive Officer,  RAMJO

Cr Ashley Hall
Mayor, Edward River Council

Cr John Harvie
Mayor, Murray River Council

Non-Voting Members

Albury City – Interim Chief Executive Officer – Steve McGrath
Balrandald Shire – General Manager – Terry Dodds
Berrigan Shire – Chief Executive Officer – Cameron Boardman
Edward River – Chief Executive Officer – Jack Bond
Federation – General Manager – Adrian Butler
Griffith City – General Manager – Scott Grant
Hay Shire – General Manager – David Webb
Leeton Shire – General Manager – Jackie Kruger
Murray River – Chief Executive Officer – Stacy Williams
Murrumbidgee – General Manager – John Scarce
Narrandera Shire – General Manager – Timothy Coote
Wentworth Shire – General Manager – Ken Ross

NSW Premier’s Department – Director, Regional Coordination – South, Delivery & Engagement – Giles Butler
Office of Local Government – Council Engagement Manager, Riverina and Far South-West – Cameron Templeton

RAMJO Charter

The Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation Charter was formally adopted by the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation on 5 September 2018

The reviewed and amended Charter was formally adopted by the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation on 13 February 2026

Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation Charter

RAMJO Policies and Plans

(in alphabetical order)

• • Advocacy (February 2024)
  • Budget and Statement of Review Policy (August 2024)
  • Budgeting, Financial Reporting and Purchasing Policy (May 2024)
  • Code of Meeting Practice (October 2025)
  • Communications Policy (November 2024)
  • Credit Card Use (May 2024)
  • Email and Internet Policy (November 2024)
  • Flexible Work Arrangements (February 2026)
  • Fraud and Corruption Prevention (August 2024)
  • Payment of expenses and the provision of facilities to members of the Joint Organisation (February 2023)
  • Privacy Management Plan (OLG 2013)
  • Privacy Management Policy (May 2024)
  • Public Interest Disclosure Policy (August 2025)
  • Related Parties Policy (February 2024)
  • Social Media Policy (February 2024)
  • Statement of Revenue Policy (2025 – 2026)
  • Work Health & Safety Policy (November 2024)

RAMJO Disclosures of Interest – FY 24/25

• • Yvonne Lingua – Executive Officer, RAMJO
  • Cr. Kevin Mack – Mayor AlburyCity 
  • Frank Zaknich – Chief Executive Officer, AlburyCity Council
  • Cr Ashley Hall – Mayor, Edward River Council
  • Jack Bond – General Manager, Edward River Council
  • Cr. Cheryl Cook – Mayor, Federation Council
  • Adrian Butler – General Manager, Federation Council
  • Cr. George Weston- Mayor, Leeton Shire Council
  • Jackie Kruger – General Manager, Leeton Shire Council
  • Cr John Harvie – Mayor, Murray River Council
  • Cr. Ruth McRae OAM – Mayor Murrumbidgee Council
  • John Scarce – General Manager, Murrumbidgee Council
  • Cr. Neville Kschenka – Mayor Narrandera Shire Council
  • George Cowan – General Manager, Narrandera Shire Council

RAMJO Code of Conduct

• RAMJO Code of Conduct

Model Code of Conduct

The Model Code of Conduct for Local councils in NSW (2020) sets the minimum standards of conduct for council officials. It is prescribed by regulation to assist council officials to:

• understand and comply with the standards of conduct that are expected of them
• enable them to fulfil their statutory duty to act honestly and exercise a reasonable degree of care and diligence (section 439)
• act in a way that enhances public confidence in local government.

What are the expected standards of behaviour?

The standards of behaviour are described in detail in the Model Code of Conduct. The Code is a legal document that all officials are obliged to understand and follow. The Model Code forms the basis of each council’s code of conduct.

Further information about the expected standards of behaviour can be found on the NSW Office of Local Government Website.

Office of Local Government

Regional Code of Conduct Reviewers Panel

The Member Councils of the Joint Organisation resolved to appoint the below Regional Panel of Conduct Reviewers for a term expiring 30 June 2028. All current Regional Panel of Conduct Reviewers confirmed acceptance in June 2025.

Regional Code of Conduct Reviewers Panel