About the Aboriginal Strategic Advisory Group
Established by the Minister for Child Protection as an Advisory Group under section 27 of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, the Aboriginal Strategic Advisory Group reports to the Director General of the Department of Communities and will provide advice on the development and implementation of policies and strategies or matters that impact on Aboriginal communities in Western Australia.
This will include input on important areas of work, including the Department of Communities’ Closing the Gap outcomes, child protection, disability services, family and domestic violence, and housing and homelessness.
The Advisory Group will work collaboratively to:
- Help the voices and views of the Western Australian Aboriginal community to be heard and appropriately actioned by Communities
- Provide advice to the Director General
- Provide advice to the Department of Communities on matters that the Director General refers to the Aboriginal Strategic Advisory Group; and
- Assist Department of Communities staff to gain a deeper understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal people and build cultural capabilities in attitudes, behaviours, skills, and knowledge.
Aboriginal people from across Western Australia have been appointed to the Advisory Group, with a mix of lived experience, knowledge and skills and a balance of men and women making up the membership.
Co-Chairs
- Pamela Thorley JP
- Ian Trust AO
Members
- Denise Andrews
- Tracey Brand
- Jodie Clarke
- Devon Cuimara
- Irene Davey
- Tony Hansen
- Nikita Hawke
- Patricia Hayward
- Cheryle James-Wallace
- Leanne Kickett
- Leanne Lockyer
- Neil Marshall
- Preston Thomas
- Ron Villaflor
Ex-officio member
- Mike Rowe, Director General, Department of Communities
