SA appoints new Director of Aboriginal Education

Experienced educator and proud Kokatha woman Bronwyn Milera has been appointed to the role of Director, Aboriginal Education, South Australian Minister for Education, John Gardner yesterday announced. 

Mr Gardner said the appointment was made from a strong field of candidates after a nation-wide search, outlining that Ms Milera will play a key leadership role in delivering the South Australian Government’s Aboriginal Education Strategy, which was launched in December last year.

Ms Milera’s role, to commence in August, will focus on teaching and learning, effective support services and strong community and stakeholder engagement to inform policy and practice across the department that improves outcomes of Aboriginal children and young people.

Based in the Education Department’s Learning Improvement Division an important initial element of the position will be to connect with other curriculum leaders across the education system, including public preschools and child and family centres. 

In welcoming Ms Milera, Mr Gardner highlighted her enthusiasm and breadth of knowledge on education, Aboriginal people and culture.

“This role will be critical to our aim to improve the learning outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people and in implementing the Government’s Aboriginal Education Strategy, and I am looking forward to working with her as we put the strategy into practice to achieve real outcomes for students.” he added. 

Touching on issues raised in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, Mr Gardner emphasised that Ms Milera’s leadership in engaging with the Aboriginal community to co-design initiatives will “ensure a culturally responsive curriculum and support for high-quality teaching, particularly in literacy and numeracy.”

“I look forward to Bronwyn Milera joining the department’s senior executive group and bringing her vision and drive as we work towards our ambition for a world class education system.” Mr Gardner said in closing.