BOARD
Shane Charles
Shane is born and bred from Shepparton; a strong Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung man. He is a highly experienced and inspirational Aboriginal leader with a strong track record across a range of sectors including education and training, justice, and cultural heritage within both Aboriginal and mainstream organisations. Mr Charles said he was a passionate advocate for reconciliation who enjoys sharing cultural knowledge to make a difference.
Aislinn Martin
Aislinn has a BA (Hons) in Anthropology and Aboriginal Studies, an Executive MBA and a Certificate IV in Business Governance. She has 17 years’ experience working in the NGO and government sectors including a short term role as Administration Officer at Reconciliation Victoria in the early 2000s. She was Executive Officer of Tarwirri, the Indigenous Law Students and Lawyers Association of Victoria for six years and more recently, worked for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioner's (RACGP) National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and as a Manager in the Dept of Justice and Regulation's Koori Justice Unit. Her areas of expertise include community development, social justice, inclusion, administration and family violence. Aislinn believes her reconciliation journey is ongoing and based on respect, continuous learning and a commitment to addressing racism and inequality. She contributed to the 'Racism. It stops with me' campaign and the 'Close the Gap' campaign whilst working for the RACGP, and also assisted in the development of Reconciliation Action Plans for several of Melbourne's large law firms.
Keith Gove
Keith has been a member of his local reconciliation group for 18 years, 17 of which he has been President. He was elected to the Reconciliation Victoria Council in 2006 and served as Co-Chair from 2008 until 2016. He sees that reconciliation has two major outcomes: one is to overcome the unacceptable disadvantage that Aboriginal people experience due to the arrival of Europeans to the land now called Australia. The second is for non-Aboriginal Australians to embrace, recognise and value Aboriginal culture, identity and history; to build it into a new Australian identity. This respect and recognition will strengthen Aboriginal people and communities.
Bob Williams
Bob is a full time accountant and managing director with Yarn Strong Sista.
Maria Dimopoulos
Maria Dimopoulos AM is recognised as an expert specialising in the intersections of diversity, gender equality and the law. Much of Maria’s work has been aimed at promoting and enhancing a gendered approach in the ongoing legal and political reform processes and in ensuring the meaningful inclusion of diverse women’s voices and perspectives in those reform processes. In 2008, she was appointed by the Federal government to the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children. Maria was also a member of the Access and Equity Inquiry Panel. In 2009, Maria was appointed by the Australian Federal Government to the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children and in 2012 she was appointed by the federal Minister for Multicultural Affairs to the Access and Equity Inquiry panel. Maria is currently the Chairperson of the Harmony Alliance. She also sits on the Coronial Council of Victoria. In 2017 Maria was presented with the Lifetime Achievement award by the Migration Council of Australia. In 2020 Maria was named Member of the Order of Australia for "significant service to women, to cultural diversity, and to the prevention of domestic violence”.
Andrew Gunstone
Professor Andrew Gunstone is Executive Director – Reconciliation Strategy and Leadership, Executive Director – Moondani Toombadool Centre, and Professor of Indigenous Studies at Swinburne University. Andrew has a whole-of-institution responsibility for reconciliation, the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), and Indigenous matters. Andrew led the development of Swinburne's 2017-19 RAP, which is the first university RAP in Australia to be endorsed as an Elevate RAP. Andrew’s research expertise is in the areas of reconciliation, stolen wages, reparative justice and Indigenous public policies. He has written over 130 publications, including eight books, on these areas. Andrew regularly advises community groups, corporates, universities, and government, on reconciliation matters. Andrew is also the Foundation Editor of the Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues and the Convenor of the 2018 National Reconciliation Action Plan Conference. Based on his experiences and research, Andrew argues that reconciliation requires several interrelated elements, including: recognising Indigenous sovereignty and Indigenous rights; addressing individual and institutional racism; acknowledging history; implementing reparative justice; and improving relationships.
Tom Cazaly
Tom is a proud Noongar man and school leader with the Victorian Department of Education. Originally from country Victoria, Tom gained undergraduate and post-graduate qualifications in Politics and Education at the University of Melbourne prior to embarking on a career in the education and political arenas. Tom has worked as a political advisor and campaign manager in both Federal and State Election contexts, as well as providing specialist advice on the growth and recruitment of members to a major political party. Outside of politics, Tom has worked in a number of schools as both a classroom teacher and school leader, including time spent in Western Australia and the United Kingdom. Tom is passionate about working alongside Koori students to achieve the highest standard of education possible and to provide a learning environment that allows each student the opportunity to work towards their individual goals. Tom is humbled to have been appointed to the board of Reconciliation Victoria and looks forward to making a contribution to the strategic direction of the organisation.
Jay Longworth
Jay Longworth is a fundraising and philanthropy executive with 10 years’ experience working in the non-profit and education sectors. Jay is an Associate Director of Advancement at the University of Melbourne and serves as the Co-Chair on the University’s Melbourne Reconciliation Network Committee. In Jay’s current and previous roles, including as Head of Philanthropy at World Vision, a key part of the portfolio has focused on raising funds for a range of Indigenous programs. Jay is fiercely driven to deliver results for Reconciliation Victoria, spurred by a passion for philanthropy and its employment to achieve equitable outcomes injustice, health and education for Indigenous peoples.
STAFF
Diana David
Lisa Moloney
Otis Heffernan-Wooden
Lily Dixon
Sofia Rios
VOLUNTEERS
We rely strongly on the support of our amazing volunteers who assist us in a range of roles across the organisation.
If you would like to speak to us about volunteering opportunities please email us, and include a bit about yourself, your areas of interest and skills/experience.