Canberra Memorial Parks are administered by the ACT Public Cemeteries Authority, which reports to the ACT Government through the Minister for City and ACT Government Services, Annual reports for the Authority are published as an appendix to the Transport Canberra and City Services Annual Reports found on the City and Environment website.
Our governing board
The Canberra Memorial Parks board consists of individuals contracted by the ACT Government who govern, control, and lead the direction and management of the organisation in accordance with its constituent documents or by legislation.
Neale Guthrie - Chair of the Board
Mr Guthrie was appointed as Chair for the Authority in August 2021. He has been chairing the Special Projects Committee and has been a member of the Finance Sub-Committee for the ACT Public Cemeteries Authority since August 2016. Mr Guthrie’s employment experience includes senior management roles in venues, events, and operations, as well as a military career spanning 20 years. He holds qualifications in engineering, science, and management.
Mr Guthrie has Board appointment experience dating back to 2002 and his expansive experience has seen him serve on the Molonglo Financial Services as Board Chair from 2016-20, and as Chair of the Business Development, Sponsorship and Marketing Committee from 2011-20. Between November 2017 to March 2021, he was a Member of the Community Bank National Council (CBNC) and served on the Canberra Business Council Tourism, Sports and Arts Task Force from 2007-14. Mr Guthrie also served on the Exhibition Park Corporation in Canberra from 2009-11, and the Birrigai and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve Board from 2007-11.
Fiona Jolly - Deputy Chair of the Board
Ms Jolly was appointed to the Board in August 2021 and prior to this has been serving as Non-Executive Director for The Rural Financial Counselling Service since February 2021. Ms Jolly holds qualifications in law and the arts and has executive experience dating back to 1991.
Ms Jolly has served as Non-Executive Director for Goodwin Aged Care Services since November 2020, Choice since November 2020 and Daramalan College Policy Committee since May 2019. Ms Jolly has also served on the Cricket ACT Chair Nominations Committee and the MOU Negotiations Committee since 2018. Ms Jolly holds an ACT Government Ministerial Appointment as a Community Member for the ACT Radiation Council, where she has served as Deputy Chair since November 2015 and is an Elected Councillor for HCF Australia since November 2020.
Ms Jolly’s previous Board positions include:
- Convener for the Australian Classification Review Board (by Australian Government Cabinet Appointment) from December 2011 to January 2019
- Inaugural Vice Chair and Executive Member for the International Council for Advertising Self-Regulation from October 2016 to July 2020
- She served on the Australian Business Volunteers Board as Chair from 2013 to 2016
- Previous Member of the Performance and Remunerations Committee from November 2010 to November 2016
Nigel Corne
Mr Corne was appointed to the Board in August 2021 and brings with him a wealth of knowledge from his prior role as a Non-Executive Director for the Rookwood General Cemeteries Reserve Land Manager (RGCRLM). Whilst serving on this Board he also held a Ministerial appointment as Chair for the Heritage Committee from 2018 to 2020. Mr Corne’s board experience dates to 1997 and he has held executive-level roles in tourism and advisory services dating back to 1987. He holds qualifications in engineering and commerce.
Mr Corne has been Chair of the Arthritis Australia Council of Advice since 2020 and a Non-Executive Member of the QLD Institute of Higher Education Governing Council since 2019. Since 2018 he has held the role of President/Chair and Non-Executive Director for Arthritis and Osteoporosis NSW. Mr Corne was also the Non-Executive Director for Eye Candy Optics from 2016-20, and a Non-Executive Member for the Governance Board of Gateway College from 2017-19. From 2016-19 Mr Corne held the role of Vice President and Non-Executive Director for Arthritis and Osteoporosis NSW while maintaining the role of Chair for the Governance and Strategy Committee from 2016-18. Mr Corne was also the Chair of the Argyle Hotel Group from 2009-11.
Paula McGrady
Appointed to the Board in August 2021, Ms McGrady also serves as Secretary and Board Member for the Gugan Gulwan Youth Service Canberra. Ms McGrady is a Member of the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) and has chaired for the Doris Women and Children’s Refuge Canberra.
Prior to this Ms McGrady served on the Boomali Aboriginal Artists Cooperative Sydney, Warringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Service Sydney, Eastern Area Domestic Violence Group Sydney, Redfern Legal Centre ‘Black Out Violence’, and on the Advisory Committee for ‘Staying Home Leaving Violence’ in Sydney.
Early in her career she served as Chair/Treasurer/Secretary and Committee Member for the Hunter Valley Aboriginal Corporation Muswellbrook, Treasurer/Secretary and Member of the Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Lands Council, and Member of the Muswellbrook Shire Council Reconciliation Committee.
Ms McGrady has worked in education, outreach, and support roles since 1990 and is currently Leading the Cultural Services Team for the Health and Community Services Directorate. She holds qualifications in mental health, youth work and counselling.
Dr Kate Chetty
Appointed to the Board May 2023. Details to come, awaiting photo.
Felicity McNeill
Appointed to the Board August 2024. Details to come, awaiting photo.
Ivan Slavich
Appointed to the Board August 2024. Details to come, awaiting photo.
Shanti Reddy
Appointed to the Board August 2024. Details to come, awaiting photo.
Terina Brierley
Appointed to the Board March 2025. Details to come, awaiting photo.
Canberra Memorial Parks are administered by the ACT Public Cemeteries Authority, reporting to the ACT Government through the Minister for City and Government Services.
Find out more about our customer service and operations team.
Frequently asked questions from our clients and visitors to Canberra Memorial Parks.
Board meeting summary of outcomes
Book an appointment
Our customer service team is available to show you around our parks or to help you understand our services based on your specific needs, cultural and religious customs and environmental or financial considerations.