The eight-member judging panel is integral to the Indigenous Governance Awards, bringing decades of governance expertise and lived experience to the judging process and the Indigenous Governance Program as a whole.
Belinda Duarte
Co-Chair
Belinda is Wotjobaluk and Dja Dja Wurrung descendant with Polish and Celtic heritage. Belinda is CEO of Culture is Life, an organisation which is dedicated to Aboriginal-led solutions for the prevention of First peoples youth suicide.
Shirley McPherson
Co-Chair
Shirley McPherson is a Yamatji and Nyoongar woman from the Perth and Murchison regions of Western Australia. She has experience in program delivery and business development at the regional, national and international levels of government.
Romlie Mokak
Co-Chair
Romlie Mokak is a Djugun man and a member of the Yawuru people. In March 2024, Rom completes a five year term as the first Indigenous Commissioner at the Productivity Commission.
Kenny Bedford
Kenny Bedford is a Traditional Owner of the Meuram Tribe of Erub (Darnley Island) Torres Strait. Kenny has served his community and region as the Torres Strait Regional Authority Member for Erub.
Sarah Brown
Sarah Brown AM is the Chief Executive Officer of Purple House and has been helping the Indigenous Directors to run the organisation since its inception more than eighteen years ago.
Jim Davis
Jim Davis is a descendant of the Daurareb tribe from Mer (Murray Island) in Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait). He has over 20 years’ experience supporting Traditional Owner led land and sea management initiatives.
Val Price-Beck
Val Price-Beck is a Kamilaroi woman from the Liverpool Plains of New South Wales with over 20 years experience in Indigenous economic development.
Bhiamie Williamson
Bhiamie Williamson is a Euahlayi man from north-west New South Wales with familial ties to north-west Queensland. He currently leads the National Indigenous Disaster Resilience program at Monash University.