Hilltops Councillors and General Manager:
Mayor Brian Ingram
Brian first entered local government in 2012, when he was elected as a Councillor for the former Young Shire Council. His commitment to public service and strong leadership skills were recognised when he became Mayor of Young Shire Council in 2015. Following the amalgamation of the former Boorowa, Harden and Young Councils, Brian was elected Mayor of Hilltops Council in September 2017, making him the first Mayor of the newly formed Council. He served as Mayor of Hilltops Council until 2021 and was re-elected as Mayor in 2024.
Brian enjoys harness racing and spending time with his family. He remains committed to working to achieve positive outcomes for the community and believes he can positively contribute to making the Hilltops region a better place to live, work, play and invest.
Phone | 0436 945 838
Email | brian.ingram@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
Deputy Mayor Tony Flanery
Tony is married with four daughters and runs a mixed farming business with his wife Samantha, employing twelve permanent and casual staff. Tony also operates renewable energy company, Hydro Power Pty Ltd which has operations on Cochrane Dam (near Bega) and Wyangala Dam of which produces the majority of electricity consumed by the towns of the Hilltops Council – Boorowa, Harden and Young.
Tony enjoys nearly all forms of sport in particular cricket, rugby league, swimming, soccer and athletics. He is also very passionate about farming and rural life in general and was a Councillor on the former Harden Shire Council for seven years prior to amalgamation. He believes standing for Council provides the opportunity to make a difference to the services and the support for local communities.
Phone | 0428 998 887
Email | tony.flanery@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
Councillor
James Blackwell
James (he/him) is a proud Wiradjuri man, and the first Indigenous person to be elected to Hilltops Council. He has lived in Boorowa since early 2023, moving from Canberra to be closer to family, and for the better quality of life the region provides.
James currently works as a political science and international relations academic in Canberra and has held a number of jobs across this field, including in public policy development and within national political campaigns.
He is a strong advocate for Boorowa and Hilltops, and hopes to bring his academic, political, and cultural experience to benefit its communities. James’ priorities for this term are water access and quality, the economic, environmental, and cultural growth of the region, as well as a renewed focus on Indigenous recognition and inclusion across Council.
Phone | 0403 537 970
Councillor
Jake Davis
Jake is a builder and business owner based in the Hilltops Council LGA. Having grown up locally, he is passionate about seeing the towns in the region grow and thrive. His focus is on helping young people by improving job opportunities, addressing housing challenges, and ensuring the community supports small businesses like his own.
Jake envisions Hilltops as a place where young people can build their futures, where housing meets the needs of all residents, and where local businesses are empowered to succeed. With fresh ideas and a strong commitment to positive change, he is dedicated to helping the community move forward together.
Phone | 0484 342 259
Email | jake.davis@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
Councillor
Mary Dodd
Mary has long been active in the local community and believes listening to diverse voices is an important part of a Councillor’s role. Collaboration between Council staff, the community and Councillors is crucial, supporting essential services in all Hilltops towns and villages needs to be a priority, and thoughtful decisions that consider both the long and short-term impacts should be made.
Achieving a more sustainable system of waste management, continuing to move the Boorowa pipeline project forward, improving communication between Council and the community, and continuing to encourage community members to be involved, are some of Mary’s priorities for this term.
Phone | 0404 485 519
Email | mary.dodd@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
Councillor
Fiona Douglas
As a newly elected Councillor, Fiona hopes to bring a fresh perspective and commitment to improving the lives of residents within the Hilltops region. Having lived in Young for over 35 years she has a firsthand understanding of the issues facing local families and businesses within the region.
Fiona promises to bring positive change, enhance public services and ensure that the needs of all residents are heard and addressed.
Phone | 0418 446 564
Councillor
Alison Foreman
Alison has been a business owner for many years and believes that the Hilltops region has experienced considerable growth which she wants to leverage and accelerate. Alison is passionate about continuing to advance Hilltops and envisages the region becoming a must-see tourist destination, business hub and leader in a sustainable future.
Alison moved to Young from Sydney some 26 years ago to raise her three children with a country lifestyle and a strong sense of community and couldn’t think of a better place to live.
Alison is honoured to be a Councillor representing the beautiful Hilltops region and will strive to listen and act on the needs of its communities.
Phone | 0437 145 042
Email | alison.foreman@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
Councillor
Michelle Gallo
Michelle is married with one daughter and relocated from Sydney to Kingsvale four years ago, where she and her family manage a small herd of Dexter cattle, which they also breed and show.
As a passionate local business owner, Michelle owns and runs the Harden Post Office, in addition to delivering mail on the Wombat rural mail run. She is an active resident and contributor to the vibrant Hilltops region.
Community involvement has always been a priority for Michelle, and she finds great fulfillment in supporting others and seeing projects through to completion.
With over 25 years of experience in local government, Michelle possesses a deep understanding of how councils operate, which she will bring to her role as Councillor.
Phone | 0434 113 785
Email | michelle.gallo@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
Councillor
Neil Langford
Neil was elected to Hilltops Council on the promise of accountability, transparency and communication for all resident interactions with council over the next four-year term.
He is a progressive supporter of regional development and infrastructure improvements for the Hilltops region and brings over sixty years’ experience in retail management, small business ownership, advertising, marketing and media and communications experience to the role of Councillor.
Neil was awarded the Young Individual Community Service Award at the 2000 Australia Day Ceremony for his involvement in the National Cherry Festival Committee, the Clickety Clack to Young and Back Rail promotion, the Lambing Flat Festival, the Young Home Trade and Leisure Fairs, the Young Active Business Committee (YABS), and was also a member of the former Young Shire Council Economic Development Committee.
Neil’s lifetime experience and common-sense approach will provide residents with the confidence to engage with the council on the important issues that affect them and their families as they live, work and play in the Hilltops region.
Phone | 0417 388 262
Councillor
Joanne Mackay
Joanne was very happy to be elected in her second term as Councillor for Hilltops Council. This experience has allowed her to develop a greater understanding of the process around Local Government and she looks forward to consolidating this experience and her knowledge over the next four years.
Joanne is married with five adult children and a growing gang of grandchildren in Sydney and Brisbane. She has worked in both the public and private sectors, owning a rural supplies business for 23 years and most recently worked in the waste and recycling industry in the ACT.
Joanne’s strong listening and communication skills will contribute positively to the dynamics of Hilltops Council and her priorities for the term include strengthening the council’s financial position and enhancing waste management systems. As a new committee member of Goldenfields Water, she is also dedicated to making the water pipeline from Harden to Boorowa a reality and advocating for upgrades to the infrastructure of Hilltops’ villages and towns.
Phone | 0429 853 047
Email | joanne.mackay@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
Councillor
Matthew Stadtmiller
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Phone | 0408 004 975
Email | matthew.stadtmiller@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
Anthony O'Reilly
General Manager
Mobile: 0428 600 436
Email: anthony.oreilly@hilltops.nsw.gov.au
Anthony is a proven leader who has strong financial management expertise. He is working closely with Councillors and staff to take Hilltops Council into the next phase of its future.
Anthony holds a Master of Local Government from the University of Technology Sydney, a Master of Dispute Resolution (Honours) from the University of Technology Sydney, a Bachelor of Business from the University of Western Sydney, he is a Chartered Accountant and a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA).
Anthony’s work history includes public and private sector executive roles as the Director Corporate and Commercial Services at Eurobodalla Shire Council, General Manager Finance and Strategy with Campbell Page, a Senior Manager with Ernst and Young Transaction Advisory Services and as Chief Financial Officer with FlowCom Limited.