Leanne Tu'ipulotu

Leanne Tu'ipulotu

About Leanne

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Leanne  is a highly respected senior manager in Local Government and Community Services sector, bringing more than 40 years of proven leadership and operational expertise to her work. Throughout her career, she has led and managed high‑quality services designed to meet the diverse and evolving needs of communities. 

Leanne has extensive experience working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, as well as refugee and migrant communities, ensuring culturally informed, inclusive, and responsive service delivery. Her commitment to equity and community empowerment is reflected in her long history of successful partnerships and engagement initiatives. 

Leanne has some 5 years working in the Grants Office at Peak Services. She is a strategic thinker and skilled planner, Leanne has a strong track record in securing external funding and delivering evidence‑based programs and projects that respond directly to identified community needs. Her work spans community engagement, capacity building, and business improvement strategies, consistently driving positive outcomes and sustainable change. 

Leanne’s specialty areas include community development, corporate, events‑based initiatives, tourism, and disaster management. 

Core Capabilities

  • Leadership and Management 
  • Policy and Strategy Development & Implementation 
  • Community Development  
  • Program and Project Development and Management 
  • Grant and Business Case Writing 
  • Communication and Engagement 
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement 

Qualifications

  • Diploma Project Management 
  • International Association for Public Participation (IPA2) Certificate in Public Participation
  • Diploma in Community Services Management 
  • Certificate IV in Youth Work 
  • Certificate IV in Workplace Training

Key Experience

Director Community Development - Cloncurry Shire Council

  • Developed and implemented strategies that improved the standard of living of the community through proactive programs that facilitates the continued development and promotion of the Shire, such as the Cloncurry Economic Development Strategy and the Tourism Strategy.
  • Led and managed multidiscipline teams including community development, community events, grants and sponsorship, disaster recovery, childcare, tourism, economic development, library services, arts and culture, sport and recreation, property and facilities management.
  • Prepared Council reports, funding applications, various written communications and regularly provided advice to the CEO and Council.
  • Prepared several funding applications and was successful in gaining $3,615,000 to deliver a variety of community projects.
  • Developed and implemented effective communication processes with Councillors, staff, key stakeholders both government and private sector and the wider community.
  • Developed, implemented and reviewed strategic, business and operational plans to ensure that the Community.
  • Development department meets Council’s strategic objectives in line with the Corporate Plan, in an efficient and effective manner.
  • Oversaw the preparation of Council’s annual budget for the Community Development department.
  • Led the community recovery response to the Far North Queensland Monsoon Trough Flood event, including the preparation and implementation of the Cloncurry Shire Recovery Plan.
  Strengthening Communities Manager - Redland City Council
  • Led and managed the Strengthening Communities Unit, including Respite Services for seniors and people with a disability, Home Assist program, Community Development, Community Safety, Community Grants & Sponsorship and Business & Tourism.
  • Managed Council’s Community Grants and Sponsorship program.
  • Managed the transition of the delivery of Respite Services for seniors and people with a disability from a Council managed to community managed.
  • Led the development of the Redlands Youth Strategy.
  • Oversaw the co-ordination of Redlands Disability Network, Redlands Youth Network and the Redlands Interagency Network.
  • Project managed the development of the Quandamooka Statement of Recognition at the entrance to Council’s main administration building in Cleveland.
  • Co-produced the Pacific Tides Festival.
  • Managed the Unit's financial, information and physical resources to achieve cost effective outcomes within Council’s budgetary framework, including risk management and creating a zero harm environment.
  • Provided robust advice to executive management and elected political representatives including presentations, written reports, business cases and briefs on a range of issues affecting the community.
  • Led the Disaster Management Evacuation Centre operations and Community Recovery in response to bush fires and wet weather disaster events.

  Other roles held include:

  • General Manager Arts Culture and Engagement, Access Community Services
  • Executive Manager Settlement Services, Multicultural Development Association (MDA)
  • Senior Program Officer Cultural & Linguistic Diversity, Brisbane City Council
  • Project Officer, Queensland Community Services & Health Industries Council
  • Youth Development Co-ordinator, Shire of Yarra Ranges
  • Cultural Relations Officer, Maroochy Shire Council
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