Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division (AARD)

AARD is the South Australian Government's lead agency on Aboriginal affairs matters. Situated in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, AARD supports the Hon Jay Weatherill MP, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation.

Ex-officio representatives from AARD have provided project and executive support to the SA NAIDOC Committee for a number of years. Support includes secretarial duties and involvement in the planning of events.

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet supports the AARD's work on the SA NAIDOC Committee driven by South Australia's Strategic Plan.

The AARD representatives are Andy Robb and Laura Najjar.

Nancy Bates

Nancy Bates is a Barkindji woman who originally hails from the Darling River area of New South Wales. Nancy is currently employed at Nunkuwarrin Yunti of SA Inc, as a caseworker for SA Link-Up for which is had a great passion. Nancy is also a singer/songwriter and is respondible for the alter ego 'Aunty Elsie', sister of 'Aunty Betsy'. Her strongest belief is that self change is the key to initiating community change.

Rosslyn Cox

As State Manager of Reconciliation South Australia, Rosslyn works with government, local councils, community organisations and the business and education sectors to promote the principles of reconciliation.

Reconciliation South Australia believed in a united Australia which respects this land of ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all. In its broadest sense 'reconciliation' is about bringing together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, or Indigenous, and non-Indigenous Australians. Supporting reconciliation means working to overcome the reasons there is division and inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Rosslyn's background is in commerce, bringing sound business practices to value driven organisations. Her previous roles have been in student organisations and the Don Dunstan Foundation.

Richard King - Chairperson

Richard was born in the Northern Territory and comes from three tribal groups Gurrindji/Mudburra and Waanyi. He is married with two children and lived most of his life in South Australia. Richard is a tradesman who also has a Diploma, Degree and Master qualifications and is currently working in Correctional Services where his team works hard to protect and rehabilitate those who are in need of our support and direction.

Richard believes we all have the potential to be what we imagine in our hopes and dreams. Once you know what that is, take one step towards it everyday and one day you will arrive at your destination.

Joyleen Thomas - Secretary

Joyleen is a Kokatha woman with relationships extending across South Australia and the Northern Territory, particularly to the Yunkunjatjara, Arrernte and Arabunna people. Joyleen is a sister to 10 siblings and a mother of two adult children and is looking forward to being a grandmother, but right now is happy to be Nana Jo to her sister's children.

Joyleen has 30 years experience working in the public sector in both State and Federal governments. She has worked in a range of positions and areas, ranging from Employment, Education and Training to the Criminal Justice System. Joyleen is very grateful for all the opportunities over the years to have worked with many wonderful Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people.

Marsha Uppill

Marsha Uppill is a proud Adnyamathanha woman, mother of 2 beautiful boys, Diesel and Banjo, and wife to a fabulous husband, Nick. Marsha is currently employed as the Manager, Workforce Development Aboriginal Health, Department of Health.

Commencing as a trainee with the School of Aboriginal Education in 1990, Marsha's career as a public servant has spanned almost 2 decades and her dedication to her community has been at the forefront of her career journey. Marsha has just completed her post graduate degree in Public Sector Management and has chosen to specialise in Human Resources and Workforce Development as this is an area in which Aboriginal people are hugely underrepresented.

Marsha's enjoys singing, music and acting. But mostly she enjoys teaching and being taught by her beautiful children!

Philip Watkins - Treasurer

Philip Watkins was born and raised in Alice Springs NT, Philip is part of large extended Arrernte and Larrakia families.
Philip holds a BA in Anthropology and was appointed the Artistic and Cultural Director of Tandanya in February 2006. Prior to this, Philip was employed at the Central Land Council over a twelve year period in a range of field, administrative, policy development and management positions. Philip’s personal and professional background has instilled a strong commitment and sense of responsibility to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are respected and valued.

NAIDOC SA Ambassadors

Christine Egan

Christine is Ngarrindjeri-Ramindjeri & Gurindji woman, who has 28 years experience working in both the State and Federal governments. A majority of her employment was in Western Australia in the the ares of Aboriginal employment, equity & justice and as Conciliator/Community Education Officer with the WA Equal Opportunity Commission.

Christine also worked for the Office for Women as Project Officer before starting as Aboriginal Policy Officer for Aboriginal Women's Initiatives until her retirement in 2007. Christine has recently accepted a consultancy position as Indigenous Trainer with Lifeline Australia.

As well as being Chairperson of Tandanya, Christine is also on the Board of Citizen Advocacy South Australia Inc and is the Secretary on the Executive Committee for the non-profit organisation Neporendi Aboriginal Forum Inc.

Roger Thomas

Roger Thomas is an Aboriginal man whose parents come from Pt Augusta and Ceduna and is from the Wirungu/Kookatha clans of South Australia.

Roger has over 23 years expreience of in the SA Public Service and since leaving there he has continued to work in the Aboriginal Higher Education Sector, including being the Managing Director of Pundalmurra TAFE College in Western Australia. Roger is currently the Professor of Indigenous Engagement and Adjunct Professor of Education at the University of Adelaide and also the Director of the Centre for Australian Indigenous Research and Studies - Wilto Yerlo/CASM.

Roger is currently Chairperson of the Federal Governments Ministerial Advisory Council on Indigenous Higher Education and also a member of the World Indigneous Higher Education Committee whose agendas deal with Indigenous higher education on a global basis.