SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, is excited to announce the appointment of Angela Singh to the position of Chief Executive Officer.
A Yorta Yorta woman from Victoria, Ms Singh brings a wealth of experience in Aboriginal affairs with more than 25 years working in the state and Commonwealth public sector to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Angela’s expertise spans early childhood development, education, and child safety and wellbeing.
Ms Singh’s grandparents were born at the Cummeragunja mission.
It was my mother who taught myself and my sisters about Aboriginal culture, the value of extended kinship systems, and the importance of family and how to be resilient.”
– Angela Singh, SNAICC CEO
Having worked with a number of Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) to develop programs and policy, Ms Singh understands the importance of listening to and understanding our communities.
I think Aboriginal people are much more comfortable to access ACCOs than mainstream service providers – and for those in our community who want to access mainstream services, ACCOs have a role in advising and supporting those services to be inclusive and responsive.”
– Angela Singh, SNAICC CEO
In her most recent roles as Executive Director for the Koorie Outcomes Division, Victorian Department of Education and Training, and at the Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Ms Singh played a significant role in charting the Government’s strategic direction to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people in early childhood development, education and training.
Having worked in both the Commonwealth and state public service, I think I have a good understanding of how government works, their processes to get budget investment and what influences them in terms of policy and program development.”
– Angela Singh, SNAICC CEO
Having raised four children, Ms Singh has a particular passion for education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. Ms Singh is a trained primary school teacher, and has also taught at higher education.
I think education is one of the best things that we can invest in. Education gives you choices, it empowers you and it allows you to be truly self-determining.”
– Angela Singh, SNAICC CEO
SNAICC Chairperson Muriel Bamblett OA, on behalf of the SNAICC Board, is thrilled to appoint Ms Singh to the role.
It is a pleasure to welcome Angela to lead SNAICC at this critical time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and we look forward to learning from her expertise in early childhood and education. With Angela’s years of experience working in government, SNAICC can continue to strengthen our partnerships with state and federal government to make sure our children are at the forefront of policies.”
– Muriel Bamblett, SNAICC Chair
This next period with the federal election and the partnership approach to the Closing the Gap refresh offer important opportunities to ensure the rights of our children are prioritised at the national level.
I’m looking forward to working with the Federal Government to progress SNAICC’s federal election priorities, including developing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Strategy, advocating for universal three and four-year-old kindergarten and investing in ACCO early years services.
“I’m really excited about SNAICC’s membership to the COAG Joint Council on Closing the Gap. This will provide SNAICC with the opportunity to provide strong leadership and advice to ensure the Closing the Gap refresh delivers for Aboriginal children and families.”
– Angela Singh, SNAICC CEO
Ms Singh’s vision for SNAICC lies in further strengthening its leadership in influencing governments at the Commonwealth, state and territory levels; with particular focus on education, capacity building and partnerships.
I would like to focus on working with tertiary education providers to ensure curriculum is relevant and inclusive of an Indigenous voice; and also working with mainstream service providers to improve their cultural understandings including how they can better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. And importantly, collaborating with both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and non-Indigenous peak organisations to improve outcomes for our community as a whole.”
– Angela Singh, SNAICC CEO
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