Michael Hayden - Chairperson - Term of Appointment to August 2014

Mr Hayden was born in Merredin and identifies as a Njaki Njaki Noongar from the Eastern Wheatbelt/Yilgarn region of WA who now lives in Perth.  He has a Bachelor of Applied Science degree.

Mr Hayden initiated the development of the One Sky, Many Paths, WA Indigenous Youth Leadership Program.  His drive and passion in wanting to give something back to the community led to the establishment of this State Leadership Program.  He has received a number of prestigious State and national awards for his community involvement and achievements as a young person.

Mr Hayden has been a member of a number of Committees involving Native Title, NRM, Law and Justice, Youth Leadership and Cultural Heritage. Michael manages the Njaki Njaki Cultural Heritage Program involving the recording of Njaki Njaki Noongar traditional knowledge and conducting intergenerational camps on country.

Michael believes that being a member of the Council will provide a greater understanding of the State Government’s commitment to engage in a respectful dialogue with Aboriginal communities to address the long-term issues resulting from Aboriginal disadvantage within WA.

Gail Allison JP - Term of Appointment to August 2014

Ms Allison has lived in Wiluna for the past 12 years, having previously resided in Laverton and Kalgoorlie.  She is the Manager of a number of small businesses including a café, mechanics workshop and farm.  Ms Allison is also the Manager of the Wiluna Centrelink.

For the past 10 years Ms Allison has worked at the Ngangganawilli Aboriginal Health Service (NAHS) as Manager and Board Member. She previously managed the Western Australia Drug and Alcohol Authority in Kalgoorlie and during that time established the Park Villa Hostel with the assistance of the Catholic Church.  Ms Allison worked for a number of years as Manager of a hostel for petrol sniffers at Laverton.

With a varied background in the public and private sector, as a manager of several organisations, facilities and small businesses, Ms Allison has vast experience and applied knowledge in developing economic opportunities in remote locations.

Ms Allison is an Enrolled Nurse and has a particular interest in health and education issues in relation to Youth and bridging the gap between Aboriginal health and mainstream health providers.  She is a strong campaigner for the delivery of better services to Aboriginal people into the future.

Colleen Drage - Term of Appointment to August 2012

Ms Drage identifies as a Nunda woman who lives in Northampton.  She is a grass roots community worker with a positive community profile and problem-solving attitude.

Ms Drage works as a community coordinator in partnership with local Aboriginal organisations and the Shire of Northampton.  She has also worked within the mining industry as a mentor in the recruitment of Indigenous employees to meet mining industry standards, including the provision of appropriate licences and development of life skills to work in a fly-in fly-out environment.  She is a support worker and assists families through multiple programs operating from the Northampton Old School.

She is a member of the regional Strong Yamatji Nyarlus Group (SYNG) and is employed as a Community Coordinator - Aboriginal Programs with both Wila Gutharra Aboriginal Corporation and Wandalgu Arts Aboriginal Corporation.  As part of her role, she works with women and men from the community in art and craft projects.

Ms Drage has volunteered through the Reach Foundation in Northampton and Geraldton to mentor Indigenous trainees and provides advice to Western Australian Police in Northampton , and local schools on cultural matters affecting the local community.

Ms Drage has a strong interest in developing opportunities for young people and supporting them to achieve their goals and potential.

Since 2001, Ms Drage has acted in the role of Mid West representative on the committee which administers the Pallottine Aboriginal Scholarship Trust.  This trust awards post‑secondary scholarships to Indigenous people.

For 14 years she was an active staff member of Wandalgu Hostel which supported the education of Indigenous primary and secondary students.  Ms Drage has lived all of her life in the mid west working in the community in which she grew up and remains close to family cultural connections.

Raylene Gordon - Term of Appointment to August 2012

Ms Gordon currently lives in Perth and identifies as a Kariyarra person.  She is an active member of the Kariyarra Native Title Working Group Party and has been part of the group since its establishment.  Ms Gordon previously worked at the Wangka Maya Aboriginal Languages Centre in South Hedland as a language specialist and is now currently working with Fortescue Metals Group in Aboriginal Recruitment and Community Development.

Ms Gordon believes that the Western Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council is an exciting concept and provides an ideal opportunity for Aboriginal people to share their knowledge and provide a two way exchange of information between the State Government and the Community.

Ms Gordon is fluent in the Nyangumarta and Yindjibarndi Indigenous languages.  It is a passion of hers to work for Aboriginal people, represent them and come up with fresh ideas that will make a positive change for the future.

Harry Graham - Term of Appointment to August 2014

Mr Graham is of Nudgu descent and lives in Gibson, near Esperance.  Mr Graham has a strong interest in improving Aboriginal housing, education and health.

Mr Graham is currently a teacher and Board Member of Wongutha Christian Aboriginal Parent School (CAPS).  Wongutha CAPS is a non-government, Indigenous year 11 and 12 vocational school located on a farm 27 kilometres from Esperance. For over 20 years he has been dedicated to Aboriginal education with a strong focus on improving employment opportunities for young people.

Mr Graham has previously been a member of the Norseman Aboriginal Police and Community Committee, Chairman of the Irragul Aboriginal Community, Member and Chairman of the Esperance Aboriginal Land Development Pty Ltd and Committee Member on the South Coast Health Advisory Board.

Mr Graham has a strong interest in working collaboratively with State Government to empower Aboriginal people to manage their own communities, is keen to focus on issues that are regionally based and would like to provide an opportunity for the ‘regional voice’ of Aboriginal people to be heard.

Gordon Gray - Term of Appointment to August 2014

Mr Gray was born and raised in Jerramungup in the South East of Western Australia.  Mr Gray currently resides in Geraldton and has worked throughout regional Western Australia including the Kimberley’s, Pilbara, Goldfields and South East.  In 2001, Mr Gray worked as Regional Manager of ATSIC/ATSIS and with the demise of ATSIC became a staff member of FAHCISA state office located in Geraldton.

Mr Gray is currently a Project and Planning Officer with Bundiyarra Aboriginal Corporation. He is a Director of the Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service, Executive Director of the Midwest Aboriginal Economic Development and Industry Partnership (MAEDIP) and Chairperson of the Midwest Aboriginal Organisation Alliance (MAOA).

Mr Gray has many years experience and knowledge representing the interest of Aboriginal people across the state at all levels and would like to continue to represent the interest of all communities from across Western Australia.

Josey Hansen - Term of Appointment to August 2014

Ms Hansen is a Noongar woman, mother, grandmother and an active and strong member of her community with cultural links to the Ballardong and Wilman mob.

Ms Hansen is currently Aboriginal Services Manager at Anglicare WA and acts as a consultancy to the agency on Aboriginal issues.

As an Anglicare worker Ms Hansen volunteers each year to co-ordinate the distribution of Anglicare’s Christmas giving to children in Armadale, Westfield and the northern suburbs. In 2007 Ms Hansen was acknowledged at the National Anglicare Australia Awards and received the Service Excellence award for the cultural work that she had undertaken as part of her role with Anglicare.

Ms Hansen has a strong belief that ‘yarning-sharing stories’ and effective use of networks has reached out to the broader community to work towards an inclusive society and serves to challenge stereotypical beliefs that are problematic in preventing people living in harmony.  She works from a Christian value base, and is known to be professional and ethical in all her dealings and consults regularly with strategic Cultural Advisors. Ms Hansen personally acknowledges that her cultural obligation has taken her on an exceptional journey both personally and professionally.

Robert Isaacs OAM CM JP - Term of Appointment to August 2012 

Mr Isaacs is from the Bibilmum-Wardandi Noongar Language Group of the South West and lives in the Perth Metropolitan area.  Mr Isaacs is the Director of Social Lending Keystart Shared Equity Home Loans schemes for the Department of Housing.  He has been awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM), Centenary Medal for services to the community and is a Justice of the Peace.  He is widely respected and recognised for his contributions to Aboriginal housing, Local Government, Aboriginal health, Social Justice, Aboriginal affairs, employment, education and the community. 

Mr Isaacs was previously a Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister for Housing and Aboriginal Affairs and became the first Aboriginal person elected to local government as Councillor and Deputy Mayor for the City of Gosnells. 

Ms Isaacs has received many awards including Multicultural Community Services Ambassadors Award 2008, Australian of the Year Finalist 2006, Centenary Medal of Honour 2003, Western Australian Aboriginal of the year 2001 and many more. 

He is the Chairman of the Australia Day Council WA and has held a number of key positions on different committees and boards including Foundation Member, President and Chair of the Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service, Chair of the Clontarf Aboriginal Board of Management, Chair of the Aboriginal Lands Trust, Chair of the Aboriginal Housing Board, Chair of Reconciliation WA, Chair of the Marr Mooditji Aboriginal Health Workers College and founder of the Aboriginal Medical Service Dental Clinic. 

Mr Isaacs is passionate about building a genuine, respectful and reciprocal relationship between Aboriginal people and the WA Government and believes this to be the way forward in sharing better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Rhonda Murphy - Term of Appointment to August 2014

Rhonda Murphy is Walmajarri/Gooniyandi from the Fitzroy Valley in the Kimberley.

She has academic qualifications in Indigenous Community Health and her employment history includes operational, community and policy development in the government, non‑government and Indigenous sector.

Rhonda is self employed and is the Principal Consultant for Yarmintali Consultancy.  She has extensive experience in community development, stakeholder relations, evaluation, community engagement, Aboriginal specific consultations and the development of culturally responsive services.

Rhonda has lived and worked in remote, regional, and urban settings and with these experiences she has a sound understanding of the challenges, the strengths and assets in the Aboriginal community.

Rhonda is committed to addressing the advancement of a strong future for Aboriginal people, shaped by Aboriginal leadership and done in partnership with government and the wider community.

Harvey Murray - Term of Appointment to August 2012

Mr Murray lives in Cosmo Newberry Community, which is on his traditional land.  He is employed by the Ngaanyatjarra Council, he also is the Chairperson of Cosmo Newberry Aboriginal Corporation and has been for the past 21 years.  He is heavily involved in the running of his community and the wider group of Ngaanyatjarra Communities.

He has been a Director of AAS (Aboriginal Air Services) Alice Springs, he also has been a Director of Indervon and Ngaanyatjarra Air.

Mr Murray has been a Director of Ngaanyatjarra Council/Health and Services for the past 19 years.  He also has been an ATSIC Regional Councillor and has been involved in negotiating many agreements between NG Council and State/Commonwealth Governments.  He brings to the Council a raft of experience at the "GRASS ROOTS" level of Aboriginal Affairs.