Sonia Abbott

Experience

• 

  Shire Of Bridgetown Greenbushes

  Feb 2005 - Sept 2007

  Visitor Centre Manager

  Responsible for the management of the Visitor Centre and all aspects of marketing and promotion of Bridgetown as a tourism destination.

• 

  Tourism Western Australia

  Jun 2008 - Sept 2008

  Acting South West Product Development Manager

  Management and completion of the tourism development register for the South West, ministerial assistance, and relief for the South West Product Development Manager (PSGOGA Level 5/6).

• 

  Perth Zoo

  Mar 2009 - Feb 2012

  Visitor Services Manager

  Responsible for all aspects of security and visitor servicing at Perth Zoo. Including the management of a team of 300 volunteers and 30 staff.

• 

  Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia

  Feb 2012 - Feb 2014

  Community Fundraising Coordinator

  Responsible for supporting and developing relationships with community fundraising volunteers (individuals, groups and corporate businesses) in the not-for-profit sector.Key Achievements:• Increased total community fundraising revenue by over $1.1million in 2012/13.• Achieved 234% growth in online peer-to-peer fundraising in 2012/13.• Chairperson of the National RFDS Marketing Group for community engagement and fundraising.

• 

  City of Cockburn

  Apr 2017 - Jan 2021

  Customer Service Specialist

  Member of the inaugural opening team of the Cockburn ARC, Australia's newest and largest Recreation Centre, co-located with the Fremantle Dockers and Curtin University.

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  Finucare

  Jan 2021 - Jan 2022

  Financial Counsellor
• 

  Blue Gum Montessori School

  Jan 2021 - now

  Chair of Nominations Committee

  Current Chair of Nominations CommitteePast Chair of Policy & Governance Sub-CommitteePast Board Director Past member of Finance Sub-Committee

• 

  Community Legal WA

  Feb 2022 - now

  Corporate Services Coordinator

  Responsible for all aspects of corporate services and operations for a small not-for-profit peak body, representing the Community Legal Sector of WA. Work includes oversight, coordination, delivery and evaluation of all operational matters, providing advice and governance support to the CEO/Board.Leads all aspects of financial management including: * Budgeting, board reporting, investments, audit and compliance requirements, financial policies, internal controls, asset registers, financial forecasting and grant/funding acquittals. * Supervision of all payroll, tax and creditors’ payments within Xero.Coordination of all Human Resource systems, policies and procedures, such as: * Recruitment and Induction * Work Health, Safety (WHS training, audit and investigations) and Psycho-social wellbeing * Team training, development, performance appraisals and KPIs * Grievance, misconduct, disciplinary policy and procedures. * Coordination of EAP contract, for more than 600 employees across the sector. Key Achievements * Complete overhaul of budget process with particular focus on accurate forecasting of staff wages, representing 85% of the organisation’s costs. * Implementation of new accounting software, transitioning from MYOB to Xero. * Detailed financial analysis and cash flow forecasting to maximise cash invested in the Term Deposit * Complete review of numerous operational policies relating to finance, governance and human resources. Show less