RECONCILIATION AUSTRALIA APPOINTS NEW BOARD MEMBER
13 April 2010
Longstanding Aboriginal affairs and reconciliation advocate Sam Jeffries is to join the Reconciliation Australia Board of Directors.
Mr Jeffries is a proud Murawarri man, born and raised in Brewarrina, the youngest of seven children. He has been involved in Aboriginal Affairs since leaving school and spent 20 years in Lightning Ridge in far north western NSW establishing the CDEP project, and purchased businesses to give the community an economic platform.
Mr Jeffries has held a range of senior positions and his current appointments include: Chairperson of the Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly, Deputy Chairperson of the Indigenous Land Corporation, Board Member of the Western Catchment Authority NSW, Panel Member of the NSW Aboriginal Trust Fund Repayment Scheme, Chairperson of the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy, Co-Chair of the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence and Chairman/CEO of the Indigenous Environmental Services Pty Ltd. Mr Jeffries was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001 for services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and has an interest in governance, leadership and empowerment.
Reconciliation Australia Co-Chairs Professor Mick Dodson and Mr Mark Leibler said Mr Jeffries’ depth of experience in Indigenous affairs and his track record in community engagement made him an excellent appointment to this position.
“Sam has always been an ambassador for reconciliation and has dedicated his life to Aboriginal issues and affairs,” Professor Dodson said.
“We welcome him to the Reconciliation Australia Board and look forward to working with him to achieve our vision—to promote reconciliation in this country and help bring Australians closer together.”
Mr Jeffries is Managing Director of Sam Jeffries Consulting Ltd which he established in 2006.
Previous positions include: Walgett Shire Councillor from 1999 to 2003, ATSIC Councillor from 1990 to 2005, Chairperson of the Murdi Paaki Regional Council from 1996 to 2005, Board Member of the Aboriginal Housing Office from 1998 to 2005, and Chairperson of the NSW ATSIC State Council from 2002 to 2005.
Media Contact: Kylie Thompson, 0418 633 277 or kylie.thompson@reconciliation.org.au
