A TUMULTOUS past has been left behind as Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) secures a full complement of board members.
The board is spearheading the Mallee Aboriginal health service’s ongoing reform agenda, including a membership drive, a successful annual general meeting with a competitive election for the board, and recruitment of a new chief executive officer.
Kerang’s Damien Murray will lead the board as chairperson for a three-year term.
He will be joined by deputy Jenene Murray, from Mildura, and Swan Hill’s Vicki Clark, both for a three-year term.
Steven Hancock (Kerang), Debra Chaplin (Swan Hill), Sharon Johnson (Mildura), Shantelle Thompson (Mildura), Thelma Chilly (Robinvale) and Jemmes Handy (Mildura) have been elected as casual vacancies to the November 2021 annual general meeting, when routine board member renewal will take place in line with the MDAS constitution.
“We have a strong board of directors that is energised and passionate about self-determination and representing the breadth, diversity and strengths of all the local Aboriginal communities we serve,” Mr Murray said.
“We welcome our new directors and look forward to our board working strongly together, across our Mallee communities, to ensure MDAS provides the services our Mobs deserve.”
The appointment of a full contingent of MDAS board members comes as the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) concluded its contract with MDAS, which focused on the implementation of a major reform project over nine months.
Board member profiles:
Damien Murray (Kerang)
Damien has lived in Kerang for approximately 43 years and represented Kerang in different pursuits including football, cricket, golf, lawn bowls and basketball. Damien has spent most of his working life serving the Kerang and Swan Hill communities, but is passionate about the welfare of Aboriginal communities across the Mallee.
Jenene Murray OAM (Mildura)
Jenene is a proud Wiradjuri woman from central New South Wales who has worked and lived in this community for 26 years. Jenene has an extensive working knowledge of the education sector and has been employed in this field for over 25 years. Jenene is currently employed as the Koorie education co-ordinator for the NWVR Mallee area.
Vicki Clark (Swan Hill)
As a professional Aboriginal woman, Vicki believe in self-determination that empowers Aboriginal organisations and communities to strive for a fair and just service into homes for all families. Her appointments through professional career are diverse and ones which has held high responsibility and consideration of many complex needs from a community perspective.
Steven Hancock (Kerang)
Steven was born in Tamworth, New South Wales, but has lived in Kerang for more than 40 years. He’s passionate about the local community and is a keen lawn bowls competitor, having held numerous leadership positions within the sport.
Debra Chaplin (Swan Hill)
Debra has been an active member of her community for many years, and worked in many areas on different levels. She bases her decisions on passed lived experience and mistakes, always for the betterment of her culture and community. Debra regards her greatest achievement as her children and grandchildren, as walks in her mother’s footsteps as a proud Aboriginal woman.
Sharon Johnson (Mildura)
Sharon is a proud senior Aboriginal health practitioner (AHW/AHP) of 26 years and is registered with AHPRA. Sharon grew up in Melton until the age of 15 when her parents moved back to Charleville, Queensland. She lived and worked in the Northern Territory for the 20 years before moving to Mildura with her family in 2019. Sharon works across many fields but is also on the Mildura Council Aboriginal Action Committee (AAC), the Mallee Regional Partnership Group, and is the first Aboriginal person to be appointed by the health minster on to the Mildura Base Public Hospital board.
Thelma Chilly (Robinvale)
Thelma Chilly is a proud Aboriginal woman who has ties to the Wiradjuri, Muthi Muthi, Wemba Wemba and Yorta Yorta nations. Born in Robinvale, Thelma has worked with Aboriginal communities in the Mallee for more than 33 years and is a strong advocate for the Koori community. Thelma was placed on the 2010 Women’s Honour Roll and was a finalist in the Dreamtime Awards in 2018. Thelma has a strong knowledge/background in family violence prevention and has now worked for state government for almost 14 years. Thelma is qualified in community development and planning from Swinburne University and is currently responsible for the Local Aboriginal Networks in the Mallee. Thelma remains passionate about her communities.
Shantelle Thompson OAM (Mildura)
Shantelle Thompson is a proud Barkindji and Ngyampaa woman, three-time jiu-jitsu world champion, and mother-of-five, who was recently awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia for services to the indigenous community of Victoria. Shantelle is strongly connected and committed to her community, and is proud to join the MDAS board. Shantelle combines and brings her lived, learned and earned experiences to everything she does. She is speaker, mentor and the founder of Kiilalaana.
Jemmes Handy (Mildura)
Jemmes Handy is well-known for her work in health and justice services in the Mildura region over the past 30 years, where she has helped to develop culturally appropriate policing and health services. Jemmes has worked in the education sector on both sides of the river and has also been a volunteer on the Aboriginal Community Justice Panel. She has received numerous high-profile awards for her contribution to indigenous communities in Victoria, including a Public Service Medal.
