Indigenous Affairs Minister Kim Hames today announced 12 members of a group which will provide independent guidance and advice to the State Government on Indigenous issues.
Dr Hames said the Western Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council (WAAAC) would present a significant opportunity to build genuine, respectful and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous people. It could also help achieve better life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women and children.
“This important group is a requirement of the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972 but had not sat for several years,” he said.
“Re-establishing it was a priority given its role as a communication channel between the State Government and Indigenous people.
“The 12-member council will provide a direct line of communication and expert advice on specialist issues to the Government. Members of the community will also be able to bring the council’s attention to matters of importance to them.”
The Minister said the application process for the WAAAC generated a lot of community interest and more than 60 applications for membership.
“A peer assessment panel considered each applicant’s cultural and community connections, age, gender, location and knowledge of Indigenous issues and trends,” he said.
“I’m confident that the members chosen represent the richness and diversity of WA’s Indigenous population and that they will carry out their duties with energy and insight.”
The WAAAC will meet every two months and, at its first meeting, the membership will elect a chairperson from their council membership.
The members are:
Wayne Bergmann - Broome
Mrs Leslie-Ann Conway - Kalgoorlie
Ms Colleen Drage - Northampton
Ms Raylene Gordon - South Hedland
Michael Hayden - Alexander Heights
Ms Glenda Humes - Bunbury
Robert Isaacs OAM - Langford
Ms Rhonda Murphy - Marmion
Harvey Murray - Cosmo Newberry Community (via Laverton)
Eddie Oxenbridge - Medina
Bill Stephen - Mallingbar community (near Broome)
Ms Vanessa Ugle - Ballajura.
Today is the International Day of the World's Indigenous People. This day has been marked on August 9 every year since 1994. The date marks the day of the first meeting, in 1982, of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
Anyone wanting to contact the WAAAC can telephone the executive officer, Jane Hutcheon, on 9235 8000 or email Jane.Hutcheon@dia.wa.gov.au
