Jimmy Budd - (Chairperson from December 1996)
Jimmy has been involved in Aboriginal affairs for the past twenty years and he has owned and operated his own business for the last forty years. Jimmy has also served as a Shire Councillor for the Byron Bay Shire Council.
Jimmy is committed to ensuring that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations receive benefits from ATSIC and other Government Agencies. He believes that Aboriginal people must be part of the process if they are to obtain benefits via the Government system. We must participate in all elections across the three tiers of government that will enable us to actively pursue assistance from all Local, State and Federal agencies. Jimmy believes that -
'Within our communities, we have people with the drive and the know-how to successfully compete in the wider society. We (the community) must utilise these people by supporting their endeavours and promoting them as role models so that our young people are educated and made fully aware of the political processes determining our lives now, and in the future.
I believe it is high time that "Aboriginal Affairs" was redefined to include a greater emphasis on an enterprise rather than welfare based ideas. It is imperative that more Aboriginal people are employed instead of merely being 'trained to be ready for employment '.
We, the Aboriginal people, need to start developing a greater sense of self pride and self worth.
ATSIC must change its position to free up access to enterprise funds to allow Aboriginal people to avail themselves of the available funding in order to facilitate the much spoken 'self-determination'. The ATSIC Business Loan System (BFS) needs to be streamlined so that it at least appears to respond to submissions put before it.
I am frustrated with Applications which are from Aboriginal people, educated and qualified in their field, that are being declined simply because they can not raise a cash deposit or meet some other equally spurious criteria. After all, if these applicants had a deposit (etc) then they would pursue their finance in the 'real world ' and avoid the 3-6 month delay in the processing methodology of A ATSIC 's BFS.
If Aboriginal people are expected to raise themselves up from a position of disadvantage, then it is obvious that special provisions i.e. no requirement for a deposit etc. need to be implemented into the enterprise funding methodology.
Naturally, if the business does not 'stack up' financially, don't fund it. Financial viability, I believe, is more important than whether or not the applicant holds a deposit twice that required by a mainstream finance provider!
In Short, I feel it is about time that Aboriginal people were given assistance to compete on an even playing field in the wider (business) community rather than being given the so called advantage of subsistence in the welfare community.'
Stephen Blunden (Dingburra)
Steve was born in Kempsey and is married with ten children and three grandchildren. He started working as a labourer in seasonal work in timber, brick, steel and the construction industries from 13 years of age.
Over the past twenty-three years he has worked within the Kempsey area with the Kempsey Shire Council, Kempsey District Hospital and as a Senior Project Officer with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and the Aboriginal Development Commission. Steve is at present the Chief Executive Officer with the Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service. With his experience in management and public relations Steve has helped develop Durri ACMS to be one of the top Aboriginal Medical Services in Australia.
Steve believes that with his broad work experience and community networks, he can contribute a common-sense approach to future directions of the Many Rivers Regional Council, as he has over the past five years as a Regional Councillor. He also has a personal interest and belief in community development and self-determination, land rights, preservation of culture and heritage, and improvements in the health, education and employment status of our people.
Steve is on numerous State and National committees in the Health area and has portrayed himself as a dedicated worker for Aboriginal communities both in Kempsey, on the north coast of NSW and Australia.
Elizabeth (Betty) Cohen (Chairperson until December 1996)
Betty was born at Cabbage Tree Island (near Ballina) and was raised at Bellbrook Aboriginal community near Kempsey.
Betty is employed as an Aboriginal Education Assistant at Mirriwinni Gardens. Betty gained her Associate Diploma of Aboriginal Studies (UNE, Armidale) and a Diploma in Aboriginal Health and Community Development (Cumberland College, Sydney) whilst employed by the NSW Department of Health.
Betty has had an active involvement in Aboriginal Affairs, her interests are in the areas of housing Aboriginal health, women's issues, education and employment. Betty has been the Chairperson for the Dainggati Aboriginal Corporation, a founding Director of the Durri Aboriginal Medical Service, a voluntary worker for the Nulla Nulla Boongutti Aboriginal Corporation and was the Acting Chairperson of the NEIRC until December 1996.
Betty believes that the knowledge, skills and experience she has gained over the years has helped her within Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal society, and will contribute to achieving the goals for the Many Rivers Regional Council.
Betty has recently undertaken study at TAFE in Book Keeping and Computers.
Gordon Griffiths (Deputy Chairperson)
Gordon was born at Gunnedah and is married with five children. He has lived in Maitland for the past thirteen years. Gordon is a member of the Mindaribba Aboriginal Co-operative and the Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Gordon is actively involved in the sporting area at local, regional and state levels. He is a representative on the National Aboriginal Rugby League Association (NARLA) governing committee and is the Chairman of the Many Rivers Regional Council Sport and Recreation Portfolio Committee.
Gordon's family history and involvement in Aboriginal affairs is and continues to be at a high level. As an elected representative Gordon looks forward to continuing to serve the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the Region.
Andrew Hegedus
Andrew Hegedus has been involved in Aboriginal Affairs for the past thirteen (13) years. During this time he has been employed in a number of government departments undertaking work in the Aboriginal affairs area. Andrew has worked in various positions including; Vocational Of ficer with the Aboriginal Employment and Training Branch (AETB) of DEET (Lismore), Staff Training and Development Of ficer with DEET (Northern NSW Region), Senior Project Officer with the Staff Training and Development Branch (DEET Canberra);
Sound Engineer with ABC TV, Assistant Project Officer NCAP (Lismore), Personal Assistant to Chairperson of the North Eastern Indigenous Regional Council (prior to election on Regional Council); Personal Assistant to the Honourable Ms Janelle Saffin (Member of the NSW Legislative Council); and is currently General Manager of the Bundjalung Training and Development Aboriginal Corporation.
Andrew is also a current member of the NSW ALP Aboriginal Affairs Policy Committee. He is an active member of the Aboriginal community across the north coast region and is interested in forcing a greater focus on community development policy issues for regional communities. Andrew is an active musician who is keen to promote and develop the talents of koori musicians and song writers.
Raymond (Ray) Kelly
Chief executive Of ficer of the Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Cooperative, Ray is married to Amanda and they have three children. Ray has lived in Newcastle for eighteen years and has been actively involved in health, housing, theatre and the performing arts.
Ray was the first Aboriginal playwright to have his play "Somewhere in the Darkness", produced by the Sydney Theatre Company. Ray has made numerous stage and film appearances, is still a keen dancer and a foundation member of the Awabakal Dancers.
Ray Kelly currently serves on the Newcastle Bi-Centenary Events Corporation Board, the Hunter Area Health Services Board and the NSW Premiers Arts Advisory Council.
Ray has a strong commitment to self-determination and believes;
"I believe that self-determination exists only when we are held accountable for our own actions"
Tim Torrens
Tim started his Primary School education at Tabulam Mission School and Bonalbo Central School. He has completed the Basic and Post Health Skills Courses at the Lismore Base Hospital, Councillor Torrens has also completed an Associate Diploma in Aboriginal Studies and completed a St John's First Aid Course.
Continuing in his interest in health matters, Tim has also completed a course in family counseling, Crisis Management, Community Development, HIV/AIDS Management, Cardiac Management and has also participated in workshops on Diabetes and drug and alcohol abuse.
Over the years Tim has worked as a farm labourer, caretaker and tobacco picker and has been employed as an Aboriginal Health Worker since 1975.
Councillor Torrens is a founding member Board member of the Buyinbin Aboriginal Housing Co-Operative in Casino and has been its Chairperson for ten years. He has also served on the Board of the St Marks Pre-School. Due to time constraints Tim is no longer on the Board of the Bahbany Mujam Playgroup, however maintains an active interest in the group.
Tim is a member of the Casino Boolangle Local Aboriginal Land Council and a Director of the Aboriginal Community Services Centre and Aboriginal Home Care of Casino.
This is Tim's third term in Office. Tim has always had a high level of commitment and involvement within the Aboriginal community and will continue to do so throughout this term.
Tim is a member of the Many Rivers Regional Council's Health, Housing and Infrastructure Portfolio group and also a member of the sport and Recreation Committee.
Des Williams (Commissioner - North Eastern Zone until December 1996)
Des Williams managed the Minjungbal Trading Company, a Museum and Cultural Centre a South Tweed Heads for many years.
He sees environmental health and education as the most pressing issues in this zone. At the national level, in addition to education and heal, Des considers the lack of housing the most pressing issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people.
Des Williams is an appointed member of the Northern Rivers Area Health Board and plans to focus on Aboriginal community enterprises and education during his remaining term of office as a Commissioner.
Jim Wright (Commissioner - North Eastern Zone from December 1996)
Jim is happily married Koori with a family of 19 (children and grandchildren). His family ties extend from the Walcha Aboriginal mission (Grandmother's mob - Morris) across the New England tablelands to the eastern seaboard to Kempsey and down to Newcastle where he lives in Cardiff.
Jim is presently the Chairperson of the NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Council and the Awabakal LALC in Newcastle. He is on the Hunter District Executive Consultative Committee, the NSW Police Aboriginal Council who advises the NSW Police Commissioner, and the National Aboriginal Rugby League Association (NARLA) which is involved with the annual NSW Aboriginal rugby league knockout. Jim is involved in many community activities which are social and sporting orientated. Jim is a teetotaller and doesn't smoke and tries to set this as an example for local youth. He has dedicated his life to the advancement of his people since he overcame a strong tendency towards alcohol many years ago.
Jim believes that the skills he has acquired over the past 15 years in Aboriginal Affairs will greatly contribute to the Many Rivers Regional Council achieving its goals. He has believed that the Aboriginal race has been denied equality and justice in this country and states that these are the goals that he and other Koori's are fighting for.
Dean Jarrett
Councillor Jarrett is a descendant of the Gummbayngirr peoples of the Nambucca Valley area where he currently resides with his wife and two children.
Dean was born in Brisbane in 1964. Dean went to boarding school in Yeppoon, on the Central Queensland coast, were he completed his HSC.
Councillor. Jarrett then went to the Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education, Lismore, where he completed the Introductory Studies Program in 1983. He then enrolled in the Aboriginal Rural Access Program at the University of Western Sydney, Milperra Campus undertaking studies in a Degree in Social Welfare.
Dean has been active in various communities on the North Coast as a Community Worker in Lismore, Ballina, Cabbage Tree Island communities to name a few.
Currently Dean is the Co-Ordinator of the Nambucca Heads LALC.
" I am committed to working with communities and individuals at local, regional and state level in developing economic, social and cultural programs which will empower the Indigenous peoples of the communities of the Many Rivers Regional Council area. "
Julie Russell
Councillor Russell has been involved in Aboriginal issues for over 20 years. She has been involved in the development and implementation of a number of services into local Aboriginal Communities such as legal and health services as well as in early childhood. Councillor Russell has also done volunteer work in Aboriginal Communities.
Councillor Russell believes that it is an important role of a Regional Councillor to be available to listen to the concerns of local Community people and to represent their concerns and issues within the Regional Council.
Manul Ritchie
Councillor Ritchie was elected to the Many Rivers Regional Council at the October 1996 elections. He is a member of the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council.
Councillors not returned after the elections held in October 1996.
Henry Bolt
Henry Bolt of Cabbage Tree Island, attend primary school in the Island and later attended Ballina High School. Henry had studied at Tranby Co-operative College, in Sydney and did co-operative training at community level. Henry had completed administrative courses at both Lismore and Grafton and had studied the Great Britain Co-operative Principle by correspondence through the Phukett Foundation.
Henry was the elected representative for the Far North Coast on the former Land Trust of NSW (6 year), a Board Director of the Bunjum Aboriginal Co-operative (10 years) and a member of the Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council. He had also served as an elected NSW Land Council Regional representative. Henry believed that:
"People are the Power" and that the three major themes in Aboriginal Affairs today as outlined the objectives of the Councillor Aboriginal Reconciliation Act, the Native Title Act and the Government's response to the report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody will never achieve their aims until Aboriginal people take hold of the implementation process. '
Henry sadly passed away in July 1996 and will be greatly missed.
Henry Bolt, a Man among Men.
Colin (Cody) Campbell
Cody was born in Kempsey where he resided until the age of sixteen. He then moved to Sydney seeking better employment opportunities. In 1974 Cody returned to Kempsey to work with Aboriginal community organisations. Cody is currently employed as Branch Coordinator for the Mid North Coast Regional Aboriginal Land Council, a position he has held for ten years. Cody would like the Australian Government to recognise the indigenous owners of this country and strongly believes that:
"Reconciliation is a two way process and that total recognition of all areas of dispossession be acknowledged and compensated for in a fair and just manner. "
Cody feels that this may be achieved by a constitutional monetary levy being imposed on a perpetual basis and given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups.
"This levy would return true self management on an economic and social level to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people so that we can control out destiny. ".
Cody would also like to see designated seats for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the State and Federal Parliamentary system.
John Clark
John was born at Taree, raised on Purfleet mission where he married in 1970.
John has worked in positions ranging from labouring to administrative roles. He is currently employed as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer with the Department of Social Security at Taree.
John has a high profile within his community and is an active member of several community organisations. His community work includes; Chairperson of the Purfleet/Taree Local Aboriginal Land Council, Director of the Biripi Aboriginal Medical Centre and NEIRC Councillor. John's personal goal is:
"to assist Kooris and their organisations obtain self-determination through self- management. "
Roderick (Rod) James Hart
Rod was born in Coffs Harbour in 1956 and lived in the area all of his life. His family originates from the Coffs Harbour area and his mother and father are considered elders in the local Aboriginal community.
Rod attended Coffs Harbour High School until 1973 and then left to work on the bananas for three years. Rod was successful in gaining an apprenticeship and attended Granville TAFE until returning to Coffs Harbour to take up an apprenticeship with a local plastering firm and this has been his trade for the past sixteen years.
Rod and his spouse Carol, who is a nurse and now studying to be a teacher, have five children - four girls and one boy, with the eldest being twin girls. Rod is a family orientated person and his family take first priority in all things.
Over the years Rod has played football for a number of clubs, he has represented Coffs Harbour in touch football, enjoys many outdoor sports and is a keen fisherman.
Rod is currently a member of the Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council and of Course an ATSIC representative, a position he enjoys as it gives him a chance to voice his views and to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the Region.
Kim Hill (nee Holten)
Kim was born in Sydney and raised at La Perouse, and has strong family ties to the Kempsey and Bellbrook area. She has lived in Lismore for the past eleven years and is married with three children.
Kim has developed a sound educational and planning background through her work with the North Coast Institute for Aboriginal Community Education (Lismore), the North Coast Institute of TAFE (Casino), Southern Cross University (Lismore) and the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) and as a qualified Primary School Teacher. Kim believes that;
" Through education and training our communities can support each other to use the skills we have to promote ourselves as a culturally rich, self-determining and empowered peoples "
Kim is committed to all aspects of Aboriginal community development. She believes that ATSIC is the vehicle to provide accessible and equitable programs and services to Aboriginal community members and organisations within the region and nation wide.
I would like to wish the incoming Many Rivers Regional Council every success in their efforts to assist Aboriginal communities in the Region to realise their potential.
Gerald (Gerry) Hoskins
Gerry was born in Kempsey were he resides with his spouse and four children.
Gerry has a strong commitment to the well being of his community and devotes much of his time to voluntary work within the community. Gerry is an active member of the Aboriginal community in Kempsey. He has a strong commitment to improving the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Islander people within the region and will continue to pursue this commitment as a Regional Councillor.
Gerry has recently become a Grandfather. His eldest son, Gerald Jnr, having twin boys in early 1997 providing the sixth generation of the Hoskins family.
Russell Kapeen
Russell was born in Lismore and has lived all of his life in the Coraki and Box Ridge area.
Russell attended Coraki Central School and left at the age of sixteen years to pursue seasonal work. Throughout his working life, Russell has been a cane cutter on the Clarence River and a fruit and vegetable seasonal worker throughout south west Queensland and south western New South Wales. Russell currently heads the Kurrachee Co-operative Society as it's Administrator where 85 CDEP workers are employed in the market gardens, 'bush tucker' nursery and arts and crafts area. Russell is the current Chairperson of the Koori Mail, an
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander newspaper based in Lismore. He has been involved in Aboriginal 'politics' for fifteen years.
Russell is married with three children and nine grandchildren. Russell believes that:
"We (the Aboriginal community) should strive towards self-sufficiency and that the Aboriginal grass-roots people should control their destiny"
Beverley McIlwraith
The eldest of ten children of Roy (Smokey) Simon from Forster and Beryl Stewart from Wallaga Lake. Beverley was born at Paddington, Sydney in 1946 and raised in La Perouse. She attended La Perouse Primary and Maroubra Girls High Schools. Married in 1965, she has six daughters and nine grandchildren and has lived on the Central Coast since 1979.
Beverley has had a great deal of experience that is relevant to her position as a Regional Councillor, including:
Zelma was born in Wingham and has worked within Aboriginal Affairs for many years.
She is employed as an Aboriginal Health Education Officer in the NSW Department of Health and works within the Hunter Region and is a committee member of the Hunter Aboriginal Health Strategic Planning Team.
Zelma is a highly motivated ambassador, promoting hockey for Sport and Recreation. She has been a representative for the Golden Oldies Veterans' Hockey team in Wagga Wagga. Zelma has coordinated a NSW Aboriginal Hockey Championship for men, women and juniors as preparation leading up to the 2000 Olympics.
"My dream is to improve the lifestyle of Aboriginal people and I will continue to strive toward this within the Aboriginal community".
Gary Morris
Gary was born in Kempsey and spent his childhood years at Burnt Bridge Mission just south of Kempsey.
Gary has served as co-ordinator of Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land Council, on the Board of Directors of the Macleay Valley Health Service, Kempsey District Hospital and the Kempsey Aboriginal "Meals on Wheels".
Gary is at present the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Booroongen Djugun Aboriginal Corporation (taken from the Daingatti and Gumbaingar language's meaning sleeping on home ground) which offers community based services to Aboriginal families and the elderly within the Kempsey area. Booroongen Djugun offers training services in the health and welfare area, social and recreational respite for Aboriginal people with disabilities, a Home and Community Care (HACC) service, Aboriginal Meals on Wheels and soon to provide an aged care hostel and nursing home. These are all community-based and outreach services.
Brenda Smith
Hello! My name is Brenda Smith.
I was born in beautiful downtown Maclean, northern NSW. I am interested in writing, traveling and photography. I was employed by the State Health Department for sixteen years and one year at the University at Lismore. I have been to most Aboriginal areas in the region and enjoyed the liaison with various groups.
I got to know many areas of success and failures with the Aboriginal people. In the areas of success you would see the majority working together as a team. In the areas of failure, you would see divisions amongst the communities i.e., groups and not one group achieving and meeting the needs of the community.
More educational and training programs need to be developed for administrators and directors, even some of their members. The Aboriginal communities need to look at its aims, what it hopes to achieve. Is it employment? Housing? Education? Tourism? They need to look at employing a qualified person in that area, not a relative or friend, but someone who has the right qualifications.
William (Bill) Smith
Bill Smith's traditional affiliation is Kamilaroi. He is married with five children and was educated at Uralla near Armidale.
Bill is the co-ordinator of the Awabakal Disability Service, Chairperson of the NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Association (NARLA), founder of the Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Co-operative Pty Ltd, Chairperson of Koompahtoo Local Aboriginal Land Council and won the 1993 NAIDOC "NSW Aboriginal of the Year" award. Bill's interest include camping, watching all sports, bush walking, reading, public speaking and cultural activities. His personal philosophy is:
". . . building bridges between people from all walks of life and promoting self-esteem and pride within oneself and respect of our ways, lifestyles and beliefs as the first peoples of this land. "