CHAIR OF INDIGENOUS EDUCATION CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE REAPPOINTED
Published Tuesday, 30 October, 2007 at 04:19 PM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Prominent Torres Strait Islander Georgina Archer has been re-appointed Chair of the Queensland Indigenous Education Consultative Committee (QIECC).
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford congratulated Ms Archer on her reappointment and said Indigenous education was one of the State Government’s highest priorities.
“The QIECC plays an important role in providing strategic advice to the State and Federal Ministers for Education on Indigenous education issues,” Mr Welford said.
“It listens to community concerns and is a strong voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“The committee plays an important role in promoting constructive dialogue and engagement between government and Indigenous people and communities.”
Mr Welford said Ms Archer had extensive experience in education and high level involvement in Indigenous education programs.
“I am certain her leadership will continue to produce positive outcomes from the committee,” he said.
“Over the next 12 months the committee, comprised of Indigenous members with significant expertise in Indigenous education and training, will consider strategic issues across all sectors of education, from early childhood to school, training and university education, in both the government and non-government sector.”
Ms Archer, a secondary teacher at the Brisbane School of Distance Education, has worked in schools for more than 30 years.
QIECC members include:
- Ms Jane Ceolin – Executive Officer, Indigenous Education, with the Queensland Catholic Commission since 2001.
- Mr Ned David – A member of the Kulkalgal Nation, he has spent most of his life in the Torres Strait. As Chair of the Torres Strait Islander Regional Education Council, Mr David is actively involved in negotiating commitments of government and community to improve students’ learning throughout the Torres Strait.
- Mr Beresford Domic – A teacher at Yarrabah State School, he has been involved in Indigenous community issues and Indigenous education for a number of years, in particular in the early childhood area.
- Ms Tracey Harbour – She has extensive senior management experience in the public service and has worked as a principal at an Aboriginal secondary college in the Northern Territory.
- Mr Albert Holt – A widely respected Elder with extensive experience working in education, mainly in the Inala area.
- Mr Darran Kennedy – Current Manager of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Learning and Engagement Centre in Townsville, Mr Kennedy has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors in project management and policy development in the Indigenous policy area.
- Ms Joann Schmider – A former Chair of the similar body in the Australian Capital Territory 2003-2005. Ms Schmider now lives in Cairns where she recently provided government leadership on Indigenous child safety issues, and now works to support North Queensland community organisations and Traditional Owners groups.
- Dr Penny Tripcony – of the Ngugi people, Quandamooka, she is former Chair of the Queensland Indigenous Education Consultative Committee.
- Mr Ron Weatherall – He is currently involved in high-level strategic leadership on Indigenous training issues and is leading the development of the Government’s Indigenous Employment and Training Strategy.