Team
Tony Burns OAM
General Manager
An achiever with a heart of gold, Tony brightens the lives of everyone he meets.
At a young age his parents instilled in him the mantra that giving back is the best reward in life. Taking their advice, Tony dedicates his time to making life easier for others.
Always keen on running, ‘‘Forrest Gump style’’, Tony has channeled his energy into a diverse range of roles over the years that have shaped his career.
Tony is also inspired everyday by his wife and 2 young daughters and his Labrador.
Experience
Inspirational Senior Executive focusing on growing business, driving stakeholder engagement, development of team culture and change management.
Tony’s core personal mission in business and in life is to contribute to the community and the lives of people in a dynamic, positive, meaningful, and sustainable way. He has extensive experience in the “for purpose” non-profit sector as a Senior Executive, where he has worked successfully and cooperatively with both high-level boards and numerous channels of government.
As an inspirational leader, with a track record for delivering quantifiable outcomes in growing business, while also delivering on organisational strategic and financial objectives. Tony’s focus is always to lead his team to achieve their fullest potential, and work hard to develop and nourish community partnerships and push towards new boundaries. Tony is widely known for encouraging innovative and analytical thinking, demonstrating strong personal responsibility and empowering leadership through the development of essential capabilities.
As a lateral thinker, he thrives on new opportunities, complexity, and challenge. An ever-changing environment requires a strategic mindset, coupled with dynamic contemporary leadership style and quality people skills.
His passion for the disability sector is infectious and Tony leads his team with an enthusiasm that is undeniable.
In 2016 Tony’s team at HPA made Australian history by becoming the first Not for Profit business to win not only the inaugural ‘Charity Award Telstra Business of the Year for the Northern Territory’ but also the overall ‘Telstra Business of the Year for the Northern Territory’.
This drive and purpose contributed to Tony being named 2017 Finalist for the NT Australian of the Year and an Ambassador for 2019 Australia Day Awards.
In June 2021 Tony was Awarded the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to people with disability, in recognition of his extensive work and philanthropy in the sector over a number of years.
With a zest for life, Tony’s infectious passion inspires all of those around him .
Education & Qualification
- 10+ Years as Senior Executive
- Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors
- Charted Manager Institute of Managers Leaders
- Double Advanced Diploma’s majoring in Business and International Marketing
- Ambassador John Maclean Foundation since 2004
- Awarded the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division in 2021 for service to people with disability.
