Fresh faces for SNAICC board: New chairperson, new acting CEO

“Several noteworthy changes” were made at the annual general meeting of the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), with significant leadership changes announced this week, SNAICC has said.

Adjunct Professor Muriel Bamblett AM has been appointed as the new SNAICC chairperson. Adjunct Professor Bamblett “has been a leading national voice on children and family issues for many years, and her extensive knowledge, expertise and strategic approach will provide important leadership moving forward” SNAICC said.

Departing chairperson Sharron Williams was thanked for her leadership across several terms, with SNAICC acknowledging they would not have achieved the many successes enjoyed in recent years without her “unique and respected approach to leadership and partnership”

A Board of Directors was elected, and is comprised of:

• Muriel Bamblett (CEO, VACCA) – Chairperson

• Geraldine Atkinson (President, VAEAI) – Deputy Chairperson

• Tim Ireland (CEO, AbSec) – Treasurer

• Rachel Atkinson (CEO, PICC) – Board Secretary

• Sharron Williams (CEO, AFSS) – Director

• Kathleen Pinkerton (Chair, Yorganop Association Incorporated) – Director

• Natalie Lewis (CEO, QATSICPP) – Director, Chair of Family Matters National Campaign

As a result of the changes made to the SNAICC Board of Directors, Lisa Coulson moved off the Board after a 15 year term as Director. She was acknowledged as having been “incredibly influential” and will remain associated with SNAICC through her position on the SNAICC council.

The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) will now be represented within the Board through the presence of CEO Adjunct Professor Bamblett, leading to the departure of Megan Van Den Berg who had previously represented VACCA. Ms Van Den Berg was recognised for her “significant input over the last two years, particularly in relation to some important child protection reform processes.”

Further to these changes mentioned above at a Board and Council level, the SNAICC Board appointed Emma Sydenham as Acting CEO on an interim basis. SNAICC said Ms Sydenham had previously worked with SNAICC for many years as Deputy CEO, and her knowledge of the organisation and its work will be a valuable asset as SNAICC move into 2019.

SNAICC applauded the work of outgoing acting CEO, Kim Sedick, saying he had made a substantial contribution to SNAICC’s mission, adding “In sometimes challenging circumstances Mr Sedick has been able to help build and secure important relationships that will ensure SNAICC continues to be an effective peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.”

SNAICC said they enter this new term with confidence that the announced changes to their leadership team and Board will provide them with a dynamic and powerful leadership team to progress their mission and see better supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families across Australia.