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National Centre of Indigenous Excellence Appoints Board of Directors

The Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) has announced the appointment of a Board of Directors for the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) – a landmark facility that will deliver innovative sporting, artistic, educational and cultural programs to young Indigenous people across Australia reports this media release from the NCIE dated 28 April 2009.

Scheduled to open later this year and located in Redfern, Sydney, the 1.6 hectare state-of-the-art Centre is a significant investment into the local Redfern-Waterloo community, as well as a major commitment to enhancing the lives of young Indigenous people nationally.

The eight-strong Board comprises members selected on their leadership experience and expertise in the areas of sport, health, Indigenous culture and development, public service and business, as well as their personal passion for creating possibility and opportunity for young people.

It will be co-Chaired by Ian Ferrier AM and Sam Jeffries and also includes former

Wimbledon Champion Evonne Goolagong-Cawley AO MBE, Indigenous affairs leader, Sol Bellear AO and Macquarie Group Foundation Professor at the Centre for Social Impact, Professor Peter Shergold AC.

The Board’s primary role will be to ensure the effective delivery of the NCIE’s vision: to foster talent and encourage excellence for Indigenous young people who participate in the centre’s world class programs. The Board will also work to see that all key stakeholders including community, government and partners are aligned in meeting this vision.

The Centre’s co-Chair, Sam Jeffries, said, “The establishment of the Board is a key milestone in the Centre’s development, reflecting its very clear commitment to bringing the best facilities possible to Australia’s young Indigenous people and making this project the success it deserves to be.

“The excitement and passion for making a positive and lasting impact on the lives of Indigenous communities is shared by all members of the Board. We’re honoured to be a part of this unique initiative and assist in helping Australia’s young Indigenous people achieve their dreams,” said Mr Jeffries.

Through the development of unique programs and access to superior facilities, young

Indigenous people will be able to come from all over Australia to learn new skills and take those back to their communities – helping to grow their bright future.

The Centre will boast a sports hall, arts/craft and activity rooms, tutorial centre, gymnasium, 25-metre heated swimming pool, sports playing and training field and campus accommodation.

National Centre of Indigenous Excellence – Board of Directors Biographies

IAN FERRIER AM Co-Chairperson

Ian has practiced as a Chartered Accountant specialising in business recovery and turnaround for a number of years, and is currently Chairperson of the Chartered Accounting firm BRI Ferrier. Ian was a Director of Australian Rugby Union at the time of winning Rugby Union World Cup in 1991 and 1999. He is also the Chairperson of InvoCare Limited, Australian Oil Limited and EnergyOne Limited and Director of Goodman International Limited, Australian Vintage Limited and Reckon Limited, Ian has previously worked for a number of Government, Public and Private Corporations.

SAM JEFFRIES Co-Chairperson

Sam has been active in Indigenous Affairs for more than 25 years. Sam is Chairperson of Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly in Western NSW, a board member of the Western Catchment Management Authority of NSW and a panel member of the Aboriginal Trust Fund Repayments Scheme. He has held the position of Deputy Chairperson of the Indigenous Land Corporation since August 2004. He recently finished a four‐year tenure on the Walgett Shire Council having been elected to five consecutive terms as an ATSIC Regional Councillor, including three consecutive terms as Chairperson.

EVONNE GOOLAGONG‐CAWLEY AO MBE Director

Former Wimbledon champion and Australian of the Year, Evonne was appointed to the Board of the Indigenous Land Corporation in 2007. Since 1997 she has held the position of Sports Ambassador to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities for the Australian Sports Commission. Evonne provides education and leadership development opportunities for rising tennis stars through her Annual Goolagong National Development Camp. Evonne was awarded an MBE in 1972 and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1982.

PROFESSOR PETER SHERGOLD AC Director

Peter founded the Office of Multicultural Affairs in 1987, and from 1991 to 1994 he headed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC). For five years from February 2003, Peter was Australia’s most senior public administrator, serving as Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. In all, he served directly three Prime Ministers and eight Ministers in both Coalition and Labor governments. He joined the Board

of AMP Limited in May 2008. He is currently the Macquarie Group Foundation Professor at the Centre for Social Impact, a collaboration of the University of New South Wales (it’s headquarters), the University of Melbourne and Swinburne University of Technology. In 2007 Peter was made a Companion in the Order of Australia.

RICHARD LONGES Director

Richard chaired a Federal Government enquiry into Indigenous Business in 2003. He has held positions with Government advisory boards, as well as non‐profit organisations such as NIDA, Bangarra Dance Theatre, and the Board of Patrons of the National Aboriginal Sports Corporation of Australia. He is a non‐executive director of Investec Bank Australia, Boral, Metcash and Austbrokers Holdings.

DAWN DIXON Director

Dawn has been a Director of the Kimberley Foundation Australia since 2001. She performed a liaison role between Nabalco and the Yirrkala community during the development stages of the Gove bauxite project. Dawn is involved in a number of family business enterprises and is a Trustee of the Dixon Family Superannuation Fund.

SOL BELLEAR AO Director

Sol was the foundation Chairperson of the Redfern Aboriginal Land Council and foundation member of the Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Housing Company and the National Black Theatre Company (Redfern). Sol is the current Chairperson of the Aboriginal Medical Service and Tranby Aboriginal College. He is a former Board member of the South Sydney League and Football Clubs and was Team Manager of the Indigenous side, the Dreamtime Team, which played against an all Maori side in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Sol is a former Deputy Chair of ATSIC, and member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. In 1999, Sol was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AO) for services to the Aboriginal community, particularly in relation to the administration and development of health policies. He is currently director of his own media company, Badge 90.

PROFESSOR RONALD PENNY AO Director

Ronald currently serves as Co‐Chairperson of the Chronic Aged and Community Health Priority Task Force and is a member of the NSW Health Care Advisory Council and the Sustainable Access Health Priority Taskforce. He is an Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of NSW and Senior Clinical Advisor, NSW Department of Health. He is also a Commissioner for the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission, and was Chairman of the Justice Health Board from 1991 – 2007. He serves as Medical Director of Good Health Solutions, a company dedicated to improved health and wellbeing in the workplace. Ronald has published over 350 medical and scientific papers in national and international journals.

More details about the The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) can be found at www.ncie.org.au.