Co-Chair joins Indigenous Voice Senior Advisory Group

Professor Tom Calma AO has requested, and the Board of Reconciliation Australia has agreed to, a leave of absence while he undertakes the role of Co-Chair of the Senior Advisory Group of the Indigenous Voice co-design process.

The Board appreciates Prof Calma’s approach and commitment to good governance, indicative of the high principles he holds, and demonstrating why he is held in such high regard within the Indigenous and broader communities.

Reconciliation Australia remains supportive of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the recommendations in the final Referendum Council Report which represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s views.

The work of the Senior Advisory Group and the two Co-Design Groups will look at mechanisms for ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a say in the matters that affect them which is fundamental to reconciliation.

Prof Calma will resume as Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia at the completion of the work of the Senior Advisory Group. In his absence, Mr Glen Kelly will assume the Indigenous Co-Chair role and I remain as non-Indigenous Co-Chair.

– Ms Melinda Cilento
Co-Chair, Reconciliation Australia

Statement from Professor Tom Calma AO

I am honoured to accept the invitation from The Hon. Ken Wyatt AM Minister for Indigenous Australians to Co-Chair the Senior Advisory Group of the Indigenous Voice co-design process.

This is an important next step to articulate how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are to be included in the decision making process of government.

As Co-Chair of the Senior Advisory Group my role is to listen and reflect the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to develop in partnership models for a voice.

Given the significance of this process and to avoid any perception of conflict I have asked the Board of Reconciliation Australia for a leave of absence while I undertake this work.

Reconciliation Australia’s role in supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart and constitutional reform remains unchanged.

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Paul House with gum leaves and smoke
Paul Girrawah House

Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.  

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

Acknowledgement of Country

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

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