Ms Georgina Archer is a Torres Strait Islander who brings extensive experience in Indigenous education and advice to education systems and government. Ms Archer has worked in schools, including leadership positions for over thirty years as well as some experience in systemic support roles to teachers and schools. Ms Archer has a strong background in planning and delivery of strategies and will be able to provide advice on how proposed strategies and solutions can be implemented. She is currently a secondary teacher at the Brisbane School of Distance Education.
Mr Tiga Bayles has played a major role in establishing both Murri radio station 4AAA and the Aboriginal and Islander Independent Community School (the Murri School) in Brisbane. Since its inception, the Murri school has expanded from an infants school to include primary and now secondary schooling up to Year 10. Mr Bayles is a well-known and respected member of a number of Aboriginal communities in southeast Queensland. Mr Bayles was an ambassador under the Australian Government National Indigenous English Literacy and Numeracy program (NIELNS).
Ms Jane Ceolin has worked as the Executive Officer, Indigenous Education with the Queensland Catholic Education Commission since 2001. She has extensive experience in advisory committees on Indigenous education, program management and other advisory roles in Indigenous education as well as a number of community roles. Ms Ceolin was a member of the former QIECB from 2003 to 2004.
Mr Ned David’s homeland is Tudu ( Warria Island). He is a member of the Kulkalgal Nation ( Central Island people) and has spent most of his life in the Torres Strait.
Mr David is chair of the Torres Strait Islanders’ Regional Education Council Inc. (TSIREC). Within this role, Mr David is actively involved in TSIREC’s work to negotiate with all key stakeholders to develop a framework agreement outlining a set of commitments encompassing all issues involved in the delivery of education in the Torres Strait.
The role of TSIREC chair has also provided Mr David with the opportunity to ensure that community perspectives are promoted and that the Torres Strait Islander communities and Aboriginal communities of the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula area are kept abreast of education imperatives and the work of TSIREC.
Mr David is also the President of Thursday Island State High School Parents & Citizens’ Association and is a member of both the Thursday Island primary and high school councils.
Mr David was a member of the previous QIECB from 2000 to 2004.
Mr Beresford Domic has been involved in Indigenous community issues and Indigenous education for a number of years, in particular the early childhood area. In 2003 Mr Domic took up a Head of Department position at Northern Peninsula Area State College to work with Indigenous students. Mr Domic has been Acting Deputy Principal during 2005. Mr Domic’s appointment was supported by the Queensland Teachers’ Union as he is an active Indigenous member and will bring this experience and perspective to the QIECC table.
Mr Albert Holt is a widely respected Elder who brings extensive experience working with all sectors of education, mainly in the Inala area. Mr Holt’s involvement and recognition includes being an adopted Elder of the West Moreton Anglican College, and the representative of the Fitzroy Basin Elders Committee in Rockhampton. Mr Holt was also a member of the previous bodies, the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education (MACATSIE) and the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Consultative Committee (QATSIECC).
Mrs Tracey Harbour brings more than 17 years of experience in Aboriginal education and affairs to the QIECC. As a past Aboriginal student and qualified educator who has lived and taught in rural and remote communities, Mrs Harbour brings a direct understanding of the issues affecting Indigenous education. As a result of her previous role as Regional Manager, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), Mrs Harbour also brings a strategic understanding of the service delivery challenges and policy development processes needed to improve educational outcomes for Indigenous students in Queensland.
Mr Darran Kennedy has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors in project management and policy development in Indigenous policy, most recently in education. Mr Kennedy has produced a number of reports and papers in the Indigenous employment area. His current role provides leadership in supporting schools implement the Partners for Success strategy. He is the manager of the Education Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Learning and Engagement Centre in Townsville.
Mr. Adrian Miller, of the Djrrabil and Birramay peoples in Far North Queensland, is a Senior Lecturer at the Anton Breinl Centre within the School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences at James Cook University, Townsville. Mr Miller has had extensive experience engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in education from mentoring and support at a school-based level, to participation in education committees at a local, state and federal level. Mr Miller is an experienced and skilled representative with a wealth of knowledge in providing strategic advice on Indigenous education to government and non-government agencies.
Ms Joann Schmider brings over 25 years professional, systemic and government advisory experience to the QIECC. Ms Schmider was a Chair of the similar body in the Australian Capital Territory from 2003 to March 2005 and is now based in Cairns where she recently provided high-level strategic leadership on Indigenous child safety issues. She also has extensive experience in Indigenous community organisations at a number of levels.
Dr Penny Tripcony of the Ngugi people, Quandamooka, has rightfully earned great respect among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and in education circles through her dedication to progressing quality educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners within diverse forums.
Dr Tripcony has had diverse work experiences within the community and education sector over a period of many years, including teaching in schools, vocational education, tertiary and community programs; curriculum and policy development at state and national levels; and statewide management of education programs as Supervisor of Aboriginal Education with the Victorian Ministry of Education from 1983 to 1989; and as Principal Education/Policy Officer with the Queensland Department of Education from 1989 to 1994.
Subsequently, Dr Tripcony was appointed Deputy Director with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit at the University of Queensland; in 1996 became the Manager of the Oodgeroo Unit at the Queensland University of Technology; and since 2001 has worked as a freelance contractor.
Having participated in a number of national and State task forces, Dr Tripcony is also currently a member of a number of committees and advisory groups.
In addition, Dr Tripcony has been a member of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies since 1979, and currently holds a Master of Educational Studies (Aboriginal Education) degree; a Certificate of Achievement (Women in Senior Management); a Diploma of Education; a Bachelor of Arts with majors in psychology and philosophy; and recently received Honorary Doctorates from James Cook University and the Queensland University of Technology. She has a number of publications to her credit and has presented numerous papers on Indigenous schooling issues, higher education, housing, land, Indigenous citizenship, spirituality and women in education.
In 2000, the Australian College of Educators (ACE) awarded Dr Tripcony, that year’s Queensland Chapter Medal for Outstanding Educator in recognition of her work; and the following year Penny was conferred a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators (FACE).
Mr Ron Weatherall brings over 20 years experience working in both the private and public sector, much of it at senior levels in the Indigenous area. Mr Weatherall’s current role as Executive Director (Indigenous Employment and Training) in the Department of Education, Training and the Arts, involves high-level strategic leadership on Indigenous training issues. Mr Weatherall has been closely involved in the Government’s Education and Training Reforms for the Future (ETRF) agenda and is currently leading the development of the Government’s Indigenous Employment and Training Strategy.
Ms Leann Wilson has extensive experience in Indigenous education, particularly through her recent leadership role in supporting schools implement the Partners for Success strategy. She was most recently the manager of the Education Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Learning and Engagement Centre in Rockhampton. Ms Wilson’s activities in this role included engagement of Indigenous communities with government where she has produced some positive outcomes. She has also worked directly in leadership roles in a number of Indigenous community organisations and mainstream organisations, including as a former Chair of the National Rural Women’s Coalition. Ms Wilson has recently taken up an appointment with the Australian Red Cross. She has both Australian Aboriginal and South Sea Islander heritage.
Mr Wayne Ah Boo, Director, Indigenous Education Policy Unit, Queensland Department of Education, Training and the Arts
Mr Bradley Saunders, Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy, Queensland Department of Communities
Dr Peter Whitney, State Manager, Federal Department of Education, Science and Training.