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The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation

The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF) has been established to serve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.

The QATSIF will:

  • fund education, development and employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
  • contribute to turning around the legacy of mistakes caused by past policies and practices

About the foundation

The foundation was formally launched at Parliament House on 25 November 2008, when the foundation's advisory board was announced.

QATSIF was established with $25.8 million capital, consisting of $10.8 million from the former Aborigines Welfare Fund and $15 million from the remaining unspent funds from the reparations (stolen wages) scheme.

Funds are expected to be distributed in partnership with organisations already managing successful Indigenous educational initiatives.

Schools and universities will play a part in recruiting and selecting the scholarship students.

To boost the fund and increase the number of young people the foundation can assist, the board will be seeking private and corporate sponsorship.

Board responsibilities

The board has 7 members (including 5 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). The Queenslanders appointed to the board are: Chairwoman Cindy Shannon, Leann Wilson, Sione Fa'Aoso, Kerrin Anderson, John Goddard, Nereda White and Thelma Gertz.

The board members are leaders in the fields of youth, government, philanthropy, community affairs, education and finance. The level of expertise and skill that each advisor brings to the board will add greatly to the foundation's success.

The board will:

  • recommend allocation and prioritisation of QATSIF funds to the Public Trustee
  • have a strategic role influencing Indigenous social and economic development in Queensland
  • take a leading role partnering with community, private sector, philanthropic organisations and educational and financial sectors to create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to share the same quality of life as other Queenslanders

Board members are appointed for a 3-year term. The board will regularly report to the Public Trustee on QATSIF's impact and effectiveness in achieving its goals.

More information

Last reviewed: 22 October 2009