Board
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Iris White |
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Richard Pacey |
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Fay Griffiths |
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Des Williams |
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Garry Creighton |
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Ted Fernando |
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Les Trindall |
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Stephen Ryan |
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Ray Keed |
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Antionette House |
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Ivan Simon |
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Janelle Clarke |
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Peter Stapleton |
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Steve O’Connor |
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Phil Naden |
Having been involved with the ALS since its inception, I saw the opportunity to sit on the Board as a way of giving some of my skills and experiences back to community in a constructive and meaningful way.
I’ve got a lot of experience in the legal system due to the years I’ve spent working in it. I’ve helped a lot of people through that time. I want to continue to help people by assisting the ALS and their staff get more of a feeling for what community development is and how it can really help Aboriginal people. There is more work to be done.
I have a personal interest in seeing conditions improved for Aboriginal people in custody. The ALS Board has a very important role to play and I hope we can get better conditions for Aboriginal people in our communities.
Our people have an ongoing relationship with the legal system - we’re constantly being put in gaol! There has always been a great need for a sympathetic referral system, that’s why I’ve been tied up with matters concerning ALS for some time.
The Aboriginal Legal Service has a role to play in how we deal with State and Commonwealth Government laws and how people understand those laws. The Service helps to create transparency for Aboriginal people.
That’s what the ALS is about - helping people. If we didn’t have this service, our incarceration rates could be double what they are now.
At the end of the day I get personal satisfaction from being an ALS Board member, knowing we’re getting young people out of gaol. When you look down the tunnel you can see we’re doing something.We’re a real service provider for our people. And that involves some good staff around us as well, otherwise we wouldn’t achieve it.
When I was young Aboriginal Legal Services helped me out when I got into a bit of trouble. That got me interested in our rights and I’ve been involved with the Aboriginal Legal Service since then.
Effecting better outcomes for our people - that’s why I’m a Board member. And I want to see a fairer justice system.
I am a Board Member because I believe the Aboriginal Legal Service provides a vital service to ensure justice for our people in a culturally appropriate manner. We are here to protect the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
I am totally aware and sensitive to the issues and concerns of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the need to maximise Aboriginal people’s involvement in the development of strategies required to address them. I am committed to improving the living circumstances and general well being of our people.
I hope to increase access to legal justice for Aboriginal people by further promoting and building close partnerships with Legal Aid NSW and other legal and community service providers.
I am committed to social justice.
I am committed to enhancing access to justice for Aboriginal people and also the protection and enforcement of their human and legal rights.
I am committed to the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) and what it stands for. I want to demonstrate to all Aboriginal communities and to the State and Federal Government that the ALS is a well-established organisation focused on assisting Aboriginal people in the criminal justice and care and protection systems, and on being a professional culturally appropriate organisation.
Board Members
There are 15 ALS Board members. Twelve of the Board members are elected by ALS company members. Ten company members from each zone elect four Board members from that zone.
Additional members of the ALS Board include the Chief Executive Officer of the ALS and the Company Secretary represented by the ALS Chief Financial Officer.
There are also two Honorary Board member positions. The ALS Honorary Board members are not elected but have been invited by Members because of their significant contribution to Aboriginal legal justice and advocacy for many years. An Honorary Board member usually has relevant business and legal experience and an understanding of issues relating to Aboriginal people in NSW and ACT. They have no voting power at Board meetings but can attend and participate in discussion.
To be elected as an ALS Board member, the applicant must have been approved as an ALS company member. Once elected, an ALS Board member serves a term of three years. There is no limit to the number of further terms they can seek election for. Elections for the position of an ALS Board member occur every three years. The next election will be held in 2015.
The Chairperson of the ALS Board is elected on a rotational basis by a majority vote of Board members for a three-year period. The position of Chairperson will become vacant in June 2014.
ALS Board members attend regular Board meetings held at least four times a year. Two ALS Board meetings are held in different regional cities, with two Board meetings held in Sydney each year.
ALS Board members play an active role in giving direction to the ALS Executive through their membership of the ALS Finance, Audit, Employment and Policy Committees. ALS Board members participate on interview panels for full-time permanent positions within the ALS.
Company Members
The ALS is a public company, limited by guarantee. The company is comprised of thirty members who are Aboriginal people from NSW and ACT. There are ten members from each of the three zones that the ALS operates through. The members represent their community to the ALS.
Any Aboriginal adult of good standing in their community who has not committed a crime in five years can apply to become a member of the ALS company, if there is a vacancy. If there is more than one applicant for a vacant position, an election is held. The ALS elected Board members approve new ALS company members.
A member’s term is three years. There is no limit to the number of three-year terms a member can seek membership for.
ALS company members meet at least once each year. At that meeting, ALS company members approve the appointment of auditors, approve audited accounts, and conduct general business about the company including current and future directions. Only ALS company members can be elected as ALS Board members.
Fact Sheet - Company Membership of the ALS
Fact Sheet - Getting to know our service, an overview of the ALS
To learn more about the structure of our organisation, visit here.