The Steering Committee
The steering committee oversees and supports the work of the independent team at the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, ANU, as
it continues the conversations with Aboriginal communities and all those involved. The steering committee provides specialist advice on
plans and reports and helps to solve issues as they arise so that the best possible approach is taken.
If you are an Aboriginal community member and you have a concern about the way the conversations about OCHRE are being
handled, try to resolve the matter by talking to members of the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research team, or alternatively you
can email the Secretariat at: ochresecretariat@aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au
If none of those options work, you can ask the Chair of the steering committee, Dr Lynette Riley, for a chance to address the committee.
Contact Dr. Riley by email lynette.riley@sydney.edu.au or by
calling 0412 307 210.
The steering committee meets up to four times a year.
After each meeting the main outcomes are made public – including a specific reference to any issue an Aboriginal community member has raised
directly with the committee.
The steering committee members are:
Associate Professor Lynette Riley – Chair
Lynette Riley a Wiradjuri & Gamilaroi woman from Dubbo and Moree; she is a Senior Lecturer, in the Sydney School of Education &
Social Work, The University of Sydney. Lynette has completed her PhD thesis on “Conditions of Academic Success for Aboriginal Students”.
Lynette trained initially as an infants/primary teacher through Armidale College of Advanced Education 1975-1977. Lynette has almost 40
years’ educational experience, working specifically to improve Aboriginal education and administration within: primary schools; high
schools; Vocational Education and Training; NSW Department of Education, state office and Universities. Lynette has been a classroom teacher
in primary and high schools; an Aboriginal Education consultant for schools across NSW; an Aboriginal Development Manager for VET across
central and western NSW; Manager of the Dubbo TAFE Campus; State Manager for NSW DET, Aboriginal Education; and a senior lecturer at UNE and
Sydney University. In these positions Lynette has run many projects and sat on numerous committees. Lynette is currently on the National
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Observance Week Committee; Board Member on the Aboriginal Languages Trust for NSW; Board Member,
Foundation for Breast Cancer Care; and Chair for Yirigaa. Lynette is an Associate Professor and Program Director for Indigenous Studies and
Aboriginal Education, with the Sydney School of Education and Social Work, at the University of Sydney.
Lynette has been required to not only theorise about education to and for Aboriginal students, and their communities; and interwoven
interactions with non-Aboriginal people; but to actively find solutions creating sustainable change for Aboriginal programs, entwining
understandings and knowledge of cultural education and competence for all people.
Lynette is also an artist having presented her Kangaroo Skin Cloaks – a traditional Aboriginal art form - at several exhibitions since 2012;
and one of her greatest accomplishments is raising 7 children and having at present, 11 grand-children.
Professor Gawaian Bodkin-Andrews
Gawaian Bodkin-Andrews identifies as Bidigal of the D'harawal nation, and is a researcher and lecturer who centres and promotes Aboriginal
Australian standpoints and perspectives across a diversity of disciplines (most notably education and psychology). He has managed and led
numerous research grants and community projects investigating a diversity of topics including mental health, mentoring, identity, Aboriginal
Knowledges, education, University Indigenous Graduate Attributes, martial arts, racism, and bullying. His projects have led to the
development of a strong foundation in robust and diverse research designs, with an increasing dedication to Indigenous Research
Methodologies. From this, he is continually developing his experience in applying quantitative and qualitative methods within his scholarly
work, and is a strong advocate for Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Indigenous (D’harawal) Storywork frameworks. His research has also
attracted a number of national and international awards (e.g., AARE Betty-Watts Indigenous Researcher Award), and he has produced the
Healing the Wounds of the Heart documentary focusing on developing resiliency against racism for Aboriginal youth. Gawaian is a member of
the Maiam nayri Wingara Indigenous Data Sovereignty Collective, National Indigenous Researchers and Knowledge Holders Network, D’harawal
Traditional Descendants’ and Knowledge Holders’ Circle, and Banyadjaninga South-Western Area Aboriginal Group.
Samantha Faulkner
Samantha is the first Torres Strait Islander to graduate with a BA in Modern Asian Studies from Griffith University. She is very proud to
have published her grandfather’s life story, Life B'long Ali Drummond: A Life in the Torres Strait. Samantha is also the author of Pamle:
Torres Strait Islanders in Canberra and published numerous articles.
In 2020 Samantha became the Director Ethics and Research Leadership, AIATSIS (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Studies). From 2018 Samantha has also been Visiting Research Fellow, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), Australian
National University. Samantha was also Visiting Research Fellow, Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
(AIATSIS) in 2009-2010 and Academic Coordinator, Jabal Centre, Australian National University in 2008.
Samantha has worked in several Australian Public Service agencies for over 20 years, and in non-government organisations. Samantha has
represented women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interests on local, state and national boards and is the Treasurer, First
Nations Australia Writers Network; Chairperson, ACT Torres Strait Islanders Corporation; and Treasurer, Us Mob Writing Group.
The steering committee ex-officio members are:
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