Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council Inaugural Members

Mrs Estelle Bowen

Mrs Estelle Bowen (Hope Vale - Guugu Yimmithirr) is an Elder and for more than 35 years has been a strong advocate and passionate worker with women, children and families in Hope Vale. Mrs Bowen established the first child care facility in a Deed of Grant in Trust community, and her rapport with people of all ages provides a positive role model to many young people and women. She brings experience on boards at the local, Cape York and state level in addition to strong links with community. She is a local Family Responsibilities Commissioner.

Ms Robyn Sandri

Robyn Sandri (Buderim - Gungarri) grew up in Dalby and Inala. She trained to be a preschool teacher in Brisbane and taught in Acacia Ridge for a number of years. Ms Sandri moved to Seattle in America to do graduate study in neonatal and early intervention with children at risk. She stayed in America lecturing, writing and undertaking research for nearly 20 years, Since returning home 5 years ago, Ms Sandri has worked establishing Indigenous playgroups on the Sunshine coast and for Indigenous policy in Education Queensland. She is currently completing a PhD at QUT that voices the Indigenous experiences around young children transitioning into mainstream schools. She specifically researches the intergenerational beliefs about Aboriginal school experiences. She also lectures at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Early Childhood. Ms Sandri's interests are in Indigenous children's human rights, law and Indigenous narrative traditions.

Ms Selina Hill

Ms Selina Hill (Bundaberg - Wakka Wakka) brings strong connections, community networks and experience on many forums, advisory committees and associations in the Wide Bay region. Ms Hill has a background in assisting Aboriginal clients prepare and file Native Title claims with the Federal Court. She also provides assistance to the Indigenous sector by facilitating negotiations which support the development, implementation and monitoring of Indigenous natural resource management business and cultural heritage aspirations.

Ms Georgina Archer

Ms Georgina Archer (Brisbane - Torres Strait Islander) was born in Cairns and continues to have strong connections in the far north of Queensland. Ms Archer brings to the Advisory Council her experience and networks as current Chair of the Queensland Indigenous Education Consultative Committee as well as her experience over 32 years as a secondary school teacher and leader. Ms Archer has local, state and national networks across the Indigenous community in the education and training sectors. She also has local and state connections in the employment, child safety and health sectors.

Professor Cindy Shannon

Professor Cindy Shannon (Brisbane - Ngugi from Moreton Island) has worked in many regional and remote communities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs and over the last 17 years specialised in health. Dr Shannon is Professor in Indigenous Health at the University of Queensland and works as a private consultant and health advisor and has contributed to national health policy through membership of a number of national committees. Professor Shannon is also chair of the recently established Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation and chair of the Queensland Ministerial Advisory Committee on AIDS, Sexual Health and Hepatitis. Dr Shannon is also a member of the National Health and Medical Research Council and chairs its Indigenous Advisory Committee.

Dr Mark Wenitong

Dr Mark Wenitong (Cairns - Kabi Kabi) is the Senior Medical Officer at Apunipima Cape York Health Council where he is working on health reform across the Cape York Aboriginal communities. He is one of the founders of the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association and is heavily involved in medical education. Dr Wenitong is a leader and active member on a number of health committees, including the NHMRC National Health Committee and sits on the council of the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. He is involved in clinical work, policy, research and population health, with the aim of improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services and outcomes in Australia.

Mr Kevin O’Brien

Mr Kevin O'Brien (Brisbane - Kaurereg & Meriam) Principal of Kevin O'Brien Architects graduated from the University of Queensland in 1995 with a Bachelor of Architecture and in 2006 with a Masters of Philosophy (by design). He was recently appointed Adjunct Professor to the School of Design at the Queensland University of Technology. Mr O'Brien has worked extensively on capital works projects with various Aboriginal organisations and government departments in Queensland and New South Wales since 1996 and is currently a Director of Gallang Place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation Counselling Services.

Mr James William

Mr James William (Brisbane - Kulkalgal ya) has a background working within the Queensland Government in a number of portfolio areas, principally related to enterprise development, providing services to Indigenous communities throughout Queensland. Mr William has led Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu's Indigenous Services area, which provides professional consulting services to both public and private sector clients. Mr William brings research, policy and program management experience to the Advisory Council.

Ms Sonia Minniecon

Ms Sonia Minniecon (Brisbane - Kabbi Kabbi with family links to Mackay) is the Co Director and co-founder of a small business, Natural Partners. Ms Minniecon develops and delivers a range of training and assessment services across Queensland. Ms Minniecon personally delivered governance training and facilitation services to 17 Indigenous Councils throughout Queensland over the past 4 years, building and maintaining positive relationships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and communities.

Mr Max Lenoy

Mr Max Lenoy (Townsville - Warungnu and Jirribal (maternal) and Kuku Yalanji and Walangama (paternal) is an ICT lecturer and former JCU Director of the Award winning Remote Area Teacher Education Program at the School of Education, James Cook University. His family is from Yarrabah and Palm Island. A graduate of Harvard University, Mr Lenoy brings to the Advisory Council experience on the Library Board of Queensland and the Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing Export Agency and a proven track record in Indigenous education.

Mr Napau 'Pedro' Stephen

Mr Napau 'Pedro' Stephen (Torres Strait Islander - Ugaramle/Meriam Magaramle) is Mayor of the Torres Shire Council and has held this position since 1994. He has extensive working experience across all levels of government and has represented the Torres Strait communities on numerous international, national, state and regional councils and committees. Mr Stephen is presently the chairperson for the Torres and Northern Peninsula Health Community Council and Co-Chair of the Torres/NPA Regional Integrated Planning Partnership. Mr Stephen brings positive working relationship experiences between government and community.

Ms Pearl Eatts

Ms Pearl Eatts (Winton - Maiawali-Karuwali, Pitta-Pitta) has developed a strong network and understanding of the Aboriginal communities across the central and south-west of Queensland and operates as a social and community developer. Ms Eatts is currently active in, and collaborates with, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation and the disability and youth sectors. She also collaborates with senior citizens as a Ministerial Regional Forum member, was an Advisory Panel Member on the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act Review and an Ambassador for Blueprint for the Bush. Ms Eatts has a keen interest in ensuring the protection, preservation and management of cultural heritage sites across western Queensland. Her current community issues and solutions relate to child protection, Indigenous early childhood programs and affordable housing. Ms Eatts holds an Associate Diploma in Behavioural Science specialising in alcohol and drugs and a Bachelor Degree in Community Management and Development.

Mr Norman Clarke

Mr Norman Clarke (Brisbane - Kanolu) is a Queensland Fire Service Station Officer, trainer and workshop facilitator. He was awarded an Australia Day Achievement Medal in 2002 for services to Indigenous communities and an Australian Fire Service Medal in the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours List in recognition of his continuing contribution to increasing the fire safety organisational and community capacity of Indigenous communities. Mr Clarke is Presiding Indigenous Representative on the adult and children's Murri Court and member of advisory groups.

Mr Nathan Jarro

Mr Nathan Jarro (Brisbane - Ghangulu and Bidjara) is a young Brisbane barrister in private practice with 5 years experience in practice at the Queensland Bar. Mr Jarro was recently appointed to the Council of the Queensland University of Technology, is current President of the Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland, Secretary to the Brisbane Boy's College Indigenous Scholarship Fund, a Director on the Major Brisbane Festivals Pty Ltd and a former Vice Chair of the Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts Inc.

Last reviewed: 20 November 2009

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