The Tirkandi Inaburra Committee plays a vital role in the success of our program and organisation. Our committee members are dedicated to developing strong relationships with both government and the Aboriginal community, while providing strategic direction to the CEO.
We are selective in recruiting committee members who have experience and expertise aligned with the Tirkandi Inaburra ‘Dream’ and strategic objectives. In addition to the representatives of the Tirkandi Inaburra incorporated association, the Department of Education is also represented on the committee as one of the voting members.
Committee members
Patricia Cerminara – President
Patricia is a proud Gamilaroi woman committed to creating a caring community where all people, regardless of culture or race, achieve independence. In her early career, she joined the Australian army in the nursing RANC. But when her father died, she was given an honourable discharge to return to Country to help look after her four younger siblings.
Once her siblings and her own children reached the age of independence, Patricia began a long journey of study and a prolific career in community development and Aboriginal health, education and art. She joined the Woomera Aboriginal Corporation which led her to Tirkandi Inaburra, where she developed her passion for helping young men grow and thrive.
In addition to her work here, Patricia has held roles in Aboriginal health work development, as an Aboriginal art teacher in the school, a university lecturer, a curator of the Eddie Kookaburra art gallery Wodonga TAFE and a volunteer for many local sporting groups and charity bodies.
Jordan Moore – Secretary
Information to follow.
Ron Lawler – Member
Responding to the call of conscience, Ron worked as a volunteer with Initiatives of Change in Asia, Europe, NZ and Canada. He also spent four years working in the remote Yolngu community of Ramingining before moving to Wiradjuri Country and becoming manager of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission.
Back then, Tirkandi was just a dream, and Ron is extremely proud to have supported the local effort to realise it. When he moved to Family and Community Services as the Director of Partnerships and Planning in 2005, and later retired, he maintained his connection to Tirkandi. Today, he continues to assist in service development, governance and maintaining our financial sustainability.
Paul Mumbler – Member
Information to follow.
Join our committee
Anyone who would like to find out more about becoming a committee member of Tirkandi Inaburra should contact our CEO, Matthew Watts on 02 6954 4800 in the first instance for a confidential discussion. To see what skills we are looking for you might like to download our Committee Capability Matrix.