Northern Region
For more information about ALS Company Member elections 2021, please view the main webpage.
ALS Company Member candidates in the Northern Region are listed below in alphabetical order:
- Jason Allan
- Avery Brown
- Helen Brown
- John Clark
- Theresa Cox
- Mark Davies
- Robyn Davies
- Vicki Grant
- Andrew Hegedus
- Elizabeth Kavanagh
- Patricia Laurie
- Susan Leys
- Charles Lynch
- Fred McGrady
- Julie Perkins
- Edward (Eddie) Pitt
- Colin Skinner
- Michael Skinner
Jason Allan
My name is Jason Allan my father’s country (Richard Allan) is Walhallow Kamilaroi, my mother’s country (Violet Merritt, Allan, Sheridan) is Yass Ngunnawal.
I was born and raised at Walhallow and completed my primary schooling at the Community Public School, completed my High Schooling at Quirindi High year 12.
I started my working career in Quirindi at the local recycling centre, while working there I studied and completed Certificate 2 in Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Practices.
Year 2000 moved to Canberra and started working with ATSIC worked there for 2 years until applied and successfully gained position at Aboriginal Hostels Canberra Finance Officer, continued working until successfully gaining the position in Construction and Maintenance Section working there until June 2008.
While working at Aboriginal Hostels I successfully studied and completed Certificate 4 Government, Certificate 4 Project Management.
While living and working in Canberra I was an active member of the Aboriginal Community, volunteering and participating with numerous Aboriginal Organisations (Boomanulla, Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation Kinnections, TOACK)
June 2008 applied and successfully gained the Chief Executive Officers Job at the Walhallow Local Aboriginal Lands Council (LALC) still currently in that position.
While working at Walhallow LALC I successfully studied and completed Certificate 4 Training and Assessing, Certificate 2 Gamilaraay Language, Certificate 4 Accounting and MYOB, active member of Quirindi Toastmaster completing Competent Communicator manual.
I have been an active member of Liverpool Plains Aboriginal Communities, teaching Gamilaraay Language and Cultural Practices throughout local Schools and during Community events.
I would consider becoming a member of the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) a privilege and would uphold the values and responsibilities with great integrity and pride at all times.
Thank you for allowing me to apply for this position, yours in the continued struggle.
Jason Allan.
Avery Brown
No biography provided
Helen Brown
Helen Rose Brown (Current Director Northern Region ALS NSW ACT)
Also Current Committee Member Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Service NSW
Helen Rose Brown
Bloodline
Chatfield/Golding/Bennett
Burra Bee Dee Descendent Coonabarabran NSW
Stolen Generation 1959 resided in La Perouse til (1980)
Resided on North Coast NSW on and off 41 years
Voting Member Birrigan Gargle Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC)
Non voting member La Perouse LALC, Grafton LALC
Studied Batchelor Indigenous Institute
Degree Social Science
TAFE Randwick
Diploma Business Governance
Community Justice Centre (Justice NSW)
Mediator Trained
Conflict Manager Trained
Awards
2020
NSW Volunteer of the Year, Upper North Coast NSW
Before Retirement (Employment)
Aboriginal Community Health (Aboriginal Health Worker) Grafton
Women’s Refuges (Aboriginal Women’s Specialist) Sydney
Centrelink (Aboriginal Specialist) Sydney
Corrective Services Grafton Gaol (Drug and Alcohol Specialist)
Dillwynia Women’s Correctional Centre (Aboriginal Cultural Assessment Specialist)
Community Development Officer (Aboriginal Specialist) Sydney
Aboriginal Specialist NSW (Community Justice Service) Mediator
Aboriginal Carer and Kinship Carer (1980-2017) Reared approximately 30 children.
John Clark
I am a Biripi/Worimi Elder.
Board of Director Biripi Medical Centre 20 Yrs.
Chairman Purfleet Land Council 9 years
CEO Purfleet LAND COUNCIL 9 years
Aboriginal Liaison Officer Social Security 9 years
OAM for Service to Indigenous/Aboriginal People
Chief Executive Officer Tide Limited 13 years still currently employed.
Managed CDEP 1994 at Purfleet 8 years 200 participants. CDEP one year with TIDE.
Born in Taree. Grew up at Purfleet.
Theresa Cox
I am a proud Aboriginal women.
Resides in Walcha, with a passion for Aboriginal people (our people) to be represented fairly in the Justice System.
Mark Davies
I am a proud Dunghutti man from Walcha. Currently employed as CEO of AMAROO LALC.
Currently I am Chairperson of the ALS. I have a passion for Social Justice for our mob. I believe I have the skills to move the ALS forward while maintaining cultural integration.
Robyn Davies
I am a proud Aboriginal woman with a passion for social justice and would like to become a member to support the organisation and to be able to keep the community updated.
Vicki Grant
I am 56 years old. My occupation is Accommodation/Cleaning Supervisor. I manage over 100 houses and room accommodation. I am also WHS Chairperson and oversee all WHS issues in our Company of 200 employees. I have my advanced First Aid and give First Aid to fellow employees when needed.
I am a member of Amaroo Local Aboriginal Land Council in Walcha NSW.
I would like to become a member of the ALS to put forward my skills to help my mob. It has been a passion of mine for many years now.
Andrew Hegedus
- Gumbaynggirr respected community member.
- Senior Executive Government and not for profit experience at grass root and executive level.
- Developed, managed and sustained million dollar budgets and social justice programs.
- Sound Governance Skills (qualified) and as a trainer.
- Responsible for the Regionalisation of the ALS and growing offices in Northern Region over many years.
- Respect what community led and owned actually means for ALS.
Elizabeth Kavanagh
No biography provided
Patricia Laurie
I wish to become a company Member as I know I could be a great Asset to the Organisation. My Skills and experiences are with NSW Justice, Corrective Services NSW. I have much knowledge of Custodial Required Programs and am very upskilled with Compliance. I have Understanding and Experience in Legislative Requirements at both State and Federal Levels, and a good understanding of Policy and Protocols. I am a Aboriginal person who fully Identifies as such. I am a Yaegl/Bundjalung Person.
Susan Leys
I am a proud Wiradjuri woman raised Kamilaroi, currently living in Yaegl country. I worked as a Justice Advocate for the Intellectual Disability Service and saw firsthand the issues facing so many of my Aboriginal clients when they come in contact with the criminal justice system. I worked closely with the local ALS solicitors and saw the affects of insufficient resources that directly affected client outcomes. I would like to be on the forefront of lobbying for increased funding to the ALS as it is evident that there is a constant attrition to other legal services such as Legal Aid once ALS solicitors get experience with the most vulnerable and over represented people within the court system.
Charles Lynch
Charles Lynch is a Gomeroi man from Tamworth who has lived between Tamworth, Barraba and Quirindi all his life. He has been involved in the community sector, mostly the land rights network for more than 30 years in various capacities. He is also a member of Nungaroo Local Aboriginal Land Council, a Board member of the Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service, Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council and volunteers his time to assist Walhallow Murri Aboriginal Enterprise Corporation of which he was a founding member.
He was elected to NSWALC as the Councillor for Northern region in 2015 and is now a second term Councilor. Charles has actively canvassed for the rights and equality of Aboriginal People his entire life and has a special interest in Training and Employment, Education and reducing incarceration rates of our young people through connection to country and culture. He has actively been involved in calls for a voice to Parliament and the new National Closing the Gap arrangements.
Charles is the proud father of five children and five grandchildren and loves spending time with family and whenever possible catching a game of his beloved Sea Eagles or throwing a line in.
Fred McGrady
I am of the Gomeroi Nation, born & raised in Toomelah Community.
Since leaving school, I have been employed & involved with my communities of Boggabilla, Moree & Narrabri.
My employment has been in Aboriginal Welfare, approx 6 yrs, Aboriginal Employment & training 8 yrs. Probation & Parole Services 8 yrs, Manager Aboriginal Home Care 10 yrs.
I also managed Aboriginal Aged Care & Disability 8 yrs.
Julie Perkins
- A senior respected Gumbaynggirr Garby woman qualified in Law and Frontline Management.
- Sound governance and financial skills.
- Highly respected throughout Northern Region as a person of ETHICS, INTEGRITY, LISTENING and TRULY HEARING Grass Root community voices.
- Passion for Regionalisation of the ALS – no centralising of services.
- No major decisions made (wasting taxpayer $$) and/or unless members are truly involved throughout NSW on decisions affecting community – and decisions must be justified.
- Respect for staff – upskilling of Aboriginal positions and skills.
- Woman not afraid to stand, voice my concerns on behaviour of bullying, intimidation and victimisation – of community or staff.
- A passionate life of justice!!
Edward (Eddie) Pitt
BORN & RAISED & SCHOOLED IN MOREE.
MY BOARD EXPERIENCE:
AMS – 10 YRS – CHAIRED FOR A WHILE.
A.E.C.G. - 8 YRS – CHAIRED AT LOCAL LEVEL
AECG – 5 YRS – CHAIRED AT REGIONAL LEVEL
AECG – 3 YRS – DIRECTOR AT STATE LEVEL
MOREE HOSPITAL – 1 YR AS A DIRECTOR
MOREE AB’ CHILDRENS SERVICE – DIRECTOR 5 YRS.
ABORIGINAL LIAISON COMMITTEE – MOREE HOSPITAL – 3 YRS
Colin Skinner
I’m a proud Gumbaynggirr man and I have been working within the legal system for the past 25 years. I have a strong understanding of black deaths in custody having been involved in 3 inquests while working with the Aboriginal Legal Service. I am strong in the legal areas of domestic and family violence and civil law issues. I am known throughout NSW (eg Moree, Toomelah, Boggabilla, Tabulum and all smaller coastal communities) and am highly respected. I have worked on many big projects with Legal Aid for example working on setting up the work development orders program.
Even though I have been out of the Aboriginal Legal Service for 5 years I still have many community members coming to me for legal assistance. My knowledge of the justice system will be a benefit to the board.
Michael Skinner
No biography provided
