NSW ABORIGINAL HOUSING OFFICE BOARD APPOINTED

Mr Brown congratulated Tom Slockee, a member of the Noonuccal people who chaired the AHO between 1998 and 2000, at the first meeting of the new board in Sydney today.

“Mr Slockee has the tough task of replacing the competent and passionate former chairperson Ann Weldon, whom I thank for her years of hard work and dedication in her role,” Mr Brown said.

“I am confident that Mr Slockee will be a great leader and really help this team to develop effective strategies to strengthen the NSW Aboriginal Housing Sector and advise me on current and emerging issues.”

Other members of the Board include:
• Ms Lois Towney;
• Mr James Allen;
• Ms Cathy Craigie;
• Mr Robert Carroll;
• Ms Michelle Craig; and
• Mr Andrew Hegedus.

“All Board members have excellent experience and skills to develop effective strategies for the strengthening of the NSW Aboriginal Housing Sector,” Mr Brown said.
“I look forward to working with the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office Board and ask them to build on the excellent work of past Board members.

“I challenge them to look outside of the square and develop new and innovative ways of doing business with the sector.”

Since its inception, the Aboriginal Housing Office Board has provided strategic advice to the Minister for Housing and the Aboriginal Housing Office to achieve significant milestones in the NSW Aboriginal Housing Sector including:

• The purchase or construction of in excess of 1,000 quality dwellings;

• Provision of housing for more than 12,000 Aboriginal people in 4,350 properties owned by the Aboriginal Housing Office

• Introduced a performance based registration and funding regime;

• Established strong consultative mechanisms with the Aboriginal community;

• Developed employment strategies for Aboriginal people in the construction of AHO and/or Aboriginal Community Housing Provider dwellings.

NSW Aboriginal Housing Office Board

Tom Slockee (Chairperson)
Tom was the inaugural Chairperson of the NSW Aboriginal Housing Board, from 1998 until 2000. He is a member of the Noonuccal people and the Bundjalung Nation and currently lives on the NSW South Coast;
Tom has been a member and Chairperson of the Southern Area Health Service, including as Chair of the Service’s Strategic Planning Committee and has been a Board member of Aboriginal Hostels Ltd.
Lois Towney
Lois is a current member of the AHO’s Many Rivers Regional Aboriginal Housing Committee. She is currently employed as coordinator of the Koompahtoo Local Aboriginal Land Council in Newcastle. She has been a Board member of the Western Aboriginal Legal service in Dubbo; and, the Gilgandra District Hospital.
Cathy Craigie
Cathy is a Gamilaroi and Anaiwan woman from Northern NSW (Moree and Armidale). She is a founding member of the Gadigal Information Service (Koori Radio) and a former Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board (Australia Council). Cathy has coordinated skills programs for Aboriginal people and has assisted with the establishment of health clinics on Aboriginal reserves in NSW.
Michelle Craig
Michelle is currently employed as Housing coordinator by Bungree Aboriginal Corporation on the NSW Central Coast. She has been the Chairperson of the Lower Many Rivers Aboriginal Housing Providers Forum and has been responsible for coordinating the Bungree Aboriginal Corporation repairs and maintenance program to their assets.
Robert Carroll
Robert was born in Narrandera and is a member of the Wiradjuri Nation. He has been a member of the AHO Board since 2003. He has lived in Griffith for the past 23 years. He has served on the Binaal Billa ATSIC Regional Council since 1990 and is a former Council Chairperson. Robert has advocated for Aboriginal rights at local, state, national and international forums and has lobbied both State and Federal governments to be more responsive and accountable to Aboriginal people on a range of social issues. He has held positions on various bodies such as the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, the Wiradjuri Regional Aboriginal Land Council and the Indigenous Land Corporation.
Andrew Hegedus
Andrew works as an advisor and consultant to many Aboriginal organisations. He has been the Chairperson of Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation on the NSW North Coast and has held positions on various Boards, including the NSW TAFE Commission Board.
James Allen
Jim is the former Chairperson of Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council. He currently manages the Murra Mia Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service which assists tenants and communities with their dealings with landlords and the Consumer Traders and Tenancy Tribunal and is a current member of the Housing Appeals Committee (HAC). Jim was also a member of the AHO Board.