Welcome to Our Wise Leaders (OWLS)
A distinguished group of records and information practitioners who have played an integral role in shaping the history and progress of RIMPA Global since its establishment in 1969. Comprised of visionary pioneers, the OWLS have come together to form a dedicated committee aimed at assisting the RIMPA Board and Ambassadors in charting a course for the organisation and its members in the years to come.
With their profound insights into the evolution and transformation of the industry over the past 50+ years, these esteemed OWLS bring invaluable knowledge and experience to the table.
Selected by the Board based on their remarkable contributions to both the industry and RIMPA Global, the OWLS are coordinated by the Standards and Innovation Portfolio Lead, ensuring a harmonized and forward-thinking approach.
Through their collective wisdom, this select group holds the keys to our past, enabling us to unlock the doors to a bright and prosperous future.
To view the OWLS Terms of Reference, please click here
Veronica Pumpa
Veronica has provided strong leadership through middle management in all Government sectors spanning more than 25 years including the development and implementation of recordkeeping systems, strategic policies, procedures, guidelines and training. In 1996 Veronica was awarded Chartered Member of RIMPA, and in 2012 Life Membership. Veronica has been an advocate and leader for best practice records management in agencies such as Parliament House, Medicare, Department of Education, Australian Communication and Media Authority, Department of Health, CSIRO and CASA.
Veronica was a representative for RIMPA on the inaugural ACT Records Advisory Council 2002 – 2010 and held various positions with RIMPA as ACT President and National Board representative.
Veronica now resides on the Gold Coast and had provided support as a Business Analysis for Queensland State Archives to support the records appraisal program and implementation of disposal authorities in 2014.
Roger Buhlert
For 50 years Roger has provided customer centric records, information management and governance services, within State and Local Government entities in Victoria, in operational and midlevel management. These services have provided strong value for business operational, management and financial management needs within professional industry standards in legislative and regulatory environments.
He has achieved this by:
• Being a strong team participant and advocate for change within the records and information management /digital world.
• Having strong communication , collaboration, training and team building skills that have produced lasting business relationships within Government, internally and the private sector.
• In conductiing business information and process analysis that has lifted efficiencies in business operations, customer service response times/satisfaction levels and the streamlining of business administrative practice.
• Management of in house operated Records Storage facilities containing secondary value, archival and vital records in accordance with industry practice in line with Public Record Office Victoria standards and transfer requirements
On the 6th February 2019 in recognition of Roger,s contribution and commitment to the profession, he was awarded an Honorary Membership to RIMPA with all associated privileges.
Phil Taylor
Philip Taylor commenced his career in the records management industry in 1970 and joined the former RMAA in 1974. Graduating from RMIT and Monash University he worked in various Victorian Government agencies. In 1992 he relocated to Queensland and joined the Queensland Branch Councillor in 1993 and in 2001 became Branch President, a position held until 2007. Philip is currently a member of the Editorial Committee of iQ. With a career in records management spanning both state government and higher education. Now retired, he still maintains an interest in records management especially in the area of public policy interaction with records management. He was awarded Life Membership of the RIMPA in 2006.
Peter Smith
After 38 years managing Records and Information in local government, Peter became a teacher and course developer at TAFE NSW. He was promoted to Information Industry Services Specialist in Computing and Industry Training Division, developing and implementing Commercial Programmes.
Peter's achievements include; Member of original Standards Development committee. Developed and formalised national Records and Information modules for all states. Keynote Speaker at national and international conferences. Provided training in developing countries. Member of the NSW Library Association Branch Council for course modules. Past President of RIMPA, Life member and Fellow, Past President International Records Management Council. Peter was also a signatory for the original Constitution for the Records Management Association.
Peter was awarded the Emmett Leahy International Award and the Eddis Linton Outstanding Individual award.
Chris Simpson
Chris has over 50 years of experience in records and information management both as a practitioner and as a leader. He was an active member of RIMPA until his retirement and has maintained a strong interest in our profession and the activities of RIMPA Global.
Chris has a passion for helping RIM practitioners overcome the tyranny of distance. He is a keen advocate of linking the bush to the city, to help both sides of the Great Divide realise that they share the same issues in managing information.
Stephanie Ciempka-Kaufhold
Stephanie has been involved in the RIMPA profession since 1971. In 1979 she joined the ACT Branch Council, RIMPA.
Stephanie worked in 15 Federal government agencies from 1971 through to 2019 during her Public Service and Private enterprise career. She held mostly managerial roles during these years focusing on records and information management.
Stephanie held many positions on Branch Council, from Marketing and Seminars coordinator, President/Vice president, Secretary, Treasurer. She has been awarded many Awards during her career in particular the Prestigious Eddis Linton Award for her work in the Department of Education. Stephanie received her Life Membership in RIMPA, Melbourne Convention 2019.
Stephanie has been a passionate advocate for RIMPA and the profession and remains passionate in her retirement.
Margaret Pember
Margaret came to records management largely by default! Her first degree was in teaching. After a decade teaching teenagers and as computers became more prevalent in schools she returned to university to study information management.
Margaret's records management career crossed largely across state and local government lines and consulting to the private sector. Her last full time position was as a lecturer and course co-ordinator in Information Studies at Curtin University. After 15 years at Curtin she downsized to a part-time job as the archivist at a private school where her previous experience in record proved invaluable.
Highlights have been working at the Royal Commission into the Commercial Activities of Government & Other Matters (3 million records and 44 staff!); Visiting Lecturer Tamasek, Singapore; Winner of Curtin University Teaching Awards; Eddis Linton Award; and Margaret's time on the old RMAA Board and as international representative on the ARMA Board. Margaret finds great pleasure in running into former colleagues and ex-students.