Special Coordinator Tim George
Tim George became the Special Coordinator of RAMSI in November 2006, replacing James Batley who served in the position since August 2004. As Special Coordinator, Mr George is responsible for the overall coordination and strategic direction of RAMSI’s program of assistance in Solomon Islands.Mr George, a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was most recently Australia’s Ambassador to Israel from 2003 to 2006. Prior to this he was Australia’s Ambassador to Spain and Andorra from 2000 to 2003. Mr George was Deputy High Commissioner in Wellington (1994-97); Deputy High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur (1992-94) and Deputy High Commissioner in Suva (1988-91). He has also served in Bangkok, Santiago de Chile and Moscow. He previously held the positions of Assistant Secretary, Europe Branch (1998-2000) and Assistant Secretary, South Asia and Indian Ocean Branch (1997-98). Educated at the University of Adelaide, Mr George holds a Bachelor of Laws degree with Honours. He is married with two sons.
Deputy Special Coordinator Dr Jonathan Austin
Jonathan became the Deputy Special Coordinator of RAMSI in March 2007, replacing Paul Ash, who served in the position since March 2005. Dr Austin is a senior foreign service officer who joined the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1996. He has served at the New Zealand High Commissions in South Africa and Tonga, and was New Zealand's first Representative/Consul-General in East Timor. Between postings, Dr Austin has worked in a range of positions in Wellington, including in the Human Rights and Development Cooperation Divisions.
Mataiasi Lomaloma, commonly known as Masi, took up the post of Assistant Special Coordinator in July 2005, replacing Sekove Naqiolevu, who served in the position since RAMSI’s inception in July 2003. Masi is from the Republic of Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. Masi started his career as an Army Officer of the Fijian Military Forces. Whilst in the Army, he served in a number of peace-keeping operations in the Middle East. His last tour was with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as the Battalion Commander of the Fiji Battalion. Masi left the Army in 1990 to join the Fiji Civil Service. He has served extensively throughout Fiji in various ministries and departments before coming to RAMSI.
Development Coordinator Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly joined RAMSI as Development Coordinator in October 2007, replacing Stuart Schaefer who was Acting Development Coordinator since July 2007. He brings a wealth of development knowledge and experience to the mission with over 15 years spent working in bilateral and international humanitarian programs and supporting corporate change processes. Paul has previously worked in the Pacific during a posting to Fiji in 1997. Prior to commencing as the RAMSI Development Coordinator, Paul was posted to Vietnam as Director of AusAID's Mekong Section.
The Public Affairs Unit of the Office of the Special Coordinator serves as RAMSI’s initial contact. Click here [0] for contact details.