Governance

Muriel is a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman and one of Australia’s leading experts on Aboriginal child welfare, particularly in the area of child and family services. Muriel has been the CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) since 1999 and has returned as Chairperson for SNAICC after holding the position from 1998-2008.

Kathleen is a proud Widi woman from the Yamatji Nation in Western Australia. She is a Chairperson of Yorganop Association Incorporated and a graduate of Edith Cowan University with a Batchelor of Social Science in Indigenous Services. Kathleen’s background includes having worked in child protection, early childhood and training sector where she developed extensive experience in facilitating, coordinating and delivering programs, particularly in rural and remote communities.

“I see my role as a cultural ambassador. I’m passionate about the rights of children in out-of-home care to cultural knowledge.”

John is a proud Birri Gubba, Wakka Wakka and Tongan man born and raised on Gadigal land and has been the CEO of AbSec – NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation since 2021. He has a wealth of knowledge and strategic thinking to address the many challenges facing Aboriginal children and families in NSW. John has worked extensively in Indigenous health, education and employment programs across state and federal government and is well known as a health ambassador.

Rachel is a proud Yorta Yorta woman. She was instrumental in the creation of the Palm Island Community Company and has been CEO since its founding in 2007. She is a board member of the Queensland First Children and Families Board. Rachel was formerly President of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, Chair of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak Ltd (QATSICPP) and CEO of the Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Service.

“I support the work of SNAICC because of my passion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s health, welfare, and human development.”

Neville is a Bangerang man originally from Shepparton. He has worked in Aboriginal education for the past eighteen years, where he has been employed in a variety of roles at the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI). Neville is currently the Programs and Policy Manager, overseeing the work VAEAI does from the early years sector through to higher education, this work includes VAEAI’s partnership with the Victorian government through the Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan and the nine Victorian Universities through the Toorong Marnong Accord. He is a board member of Melbourne Aboriginal Youth, Sport and Recreation (MAYSAR) and is a member of the Aborigines Advancement League, Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited and Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Association.

Garth has dedicated his professional career to improving health and community services from the government and not-for-profit sector. He has significant executive experience, including on several boards across health (including mental health), housing, media and recruitment. Garth is passionate about supporting organisations to improve their strategy implementation, strategic and operational governance and manage change. He is currently CEO of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak Ltd (QATSICPP) and leads the evaluation of the Youth Justice Family Led Decision Making trial, the establishment of a Centre of Excellence and the development of 33 Family Wellbeing service catchment profiles. Garth provides high-level evidence-informed policy analysis and strategic advice on issues and opportunities that positively impact on the rights and needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

Joanne Della Bona is a Noongar yorga (woman) from Whadjuk (Perth) and Balardong (Wheatbelt) Boodja (country) in Western Australia. Joanne has more than 30 years of experience in the community services sector, in early childhood education and care, education, housing, child protection governance. Joanne commenced her career with qualifications of a Bachelor of Education. She is passionate about early childhood education for Aboriginal children and providing children with a solid development foundation through education. She was awarded Western Australian of the Year Awards 1994 – Youth Category. Joanne has held Board positions at Noongar Radio, Aboriginal Family Law Services, Noongar Family Safety Wellbeing Council (NFSWC) and Western Australian Council of Social Services (WACOSS). Currently a Council Member of SNAICC, Campaign member of Family Matters and Trustee to the Wongatha Peoples Education and Recreation Trust.

Wendy is a proud Palawa woman from lutruwita/Tasmania with family connections to the Furneaux Islands, specifically Cape Barren and Flinders Island. family are the inspiration and motivation for the work she does in advocating and supporting positive changes for Aboriginal children and youth in lutruwita/Tasmania. A qualified Social Worker with an 18-year tenure at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, Wendy currently holds the position of Statewide Family and Children’s Program Manager. Notably, she recently spent 12 months working on the Tasmanian Commission of Inquiry into child sexual abuse in government institutions.

Dan is a Kaurna Narungga man with a wealth of experience in the Child Protection sector both in government and in the non-government areas. He is currently the Chief Executive of Aboriginal Family Support Services, a South Australian Aboriginal community-based and community-controlled organisation with focus on providing support, assistance and advocacy to Aboriginal children, youth and their families.