Directors

Kerry Staines – Chairperson

Kerry blends her practical knowledge and experience with strategy and is energised by leading business to create and deliver positive change.
Bridging the gap to bring appropriate health services and education to our communities is vital for our people and future generations.  A community approach that connects with community organisations,  government other partners help us achieve greater opportunities for our people.
Kerry is also heavily involved in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) which is changing the landscape for people living with disability across the nation.
Kerry is a descendant of the Mandandanji Indigenous people and is passionate about helping Indigenous people, their communities and their culture to thrive.

Paula Wootton – Director

Paula Wootton is a Tharawal woman from the Woollongong/Shoalhaven Heads region NSW, and has lived in Imbil for over 16 years. Paula has been an active NCACCH Board Member since 2007, has a Certificate IV in Governance and has a strong focus on young people and families. Paula has substantial experience working within schools and community organisations and represents the Mary Valley community.

Rhonda Randall – Director

Rhonda is a Barindji woman from Bourke and has resided in the Glasshouse Mountains region for over 25 years. Rhonda joined the NCACCH Board in 2006 and has a Certificate IV in Governance. Offering knowledge and experience in education and Home and Aged Care, Rhonda provides connection to the hinterland community through her NCACCH Referrer status.

Henry Neill – Director

Henry Neill proudly identifies as an Indigenous Australian South Sea Islander with Torres Strait Islander heritage and very close connection to a number of Northern Peninsula Aboriginal Community Clans. He is also closely associated to Central and Southeast Qld clans.  He has an education background with experience in Teaching at Early childhood, Primary and Secondary Education levels and at a University level.  He regularly provides Guest Lectures to Undergraduate and post Graduate students in Education, Health, Journalism, Social Science, Human Services and Public Health and Paramedics.  Henry has written several Cross-Cultural Communication programs for Commonwealth Departments and provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Training.  On the Sunshine Coast he has worked with Focus Health Network CTG, Medicare Local CTG and most recently was the Cultural Lead for the Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast Primary Health Network.  Henry has been a member of NCACCH for as long as he can remember. His family has lived locally since the 60’s on his sons’ Traditional Country.

Karen Kennedy – Director

Karen is a Yugambeh/Gubbi Gubbi woman who resides in Cooloola Cove and has been a NCACCH member since 2009. Karen joined the NCACCH Board in 2022 and has been actively engaged within her community through local school P&Cs, NAIDOC events, coordinating Indigenous workshops for not-for-profit organisations and volunteering at major NCACCH events. Karen provides connection to the Tin Can Bay and Cooloola region through her proactive community involvement.

Lachlan Anderson – Director

Lachlan is a  Quandamoooka/Kullilli and Wakka Wakka man who holds Bachelor of Arts with a double major History/Australian studies and minor in Indigenous Studies (2014) from the University of the Sunshine Coast and Post graduate degree in Migration Law.  His ongoing studies and tertiary education has allowed him to understand Indigenous and Non-Indigenous governance, historical, cultural and socio economic and ethical and health issues that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may face. He has worked and lived within the Sunshine Coast, Fraser and Morten Bay regions for the last 13 years and have well established and respectful connections to the traditional custodians of the region.

Grant Cheatham – Director

Grant is a proud Wiradjuri man who was raised on the Central Coast of NSW on Darkinjung land and has been calling the Sunshine Coast home since 1997. Commencing as a client in 2007, Grant has actively been involved in both NCACCH and community events since this time. In addition, he is a former Director of Kabi Kabi Aboriginal Corporation from 2021 to 2024, only stepping down recently to take up the General Manager role. Furthermore, over the last 25 years, Grant has had a multitude of successes in business creation and development. As an owner of a successful real estate agency on the Sunshine Coast that he sold in 2023, Grant brings business acumen and corporate governance experience.

Roles and Responsibilities of the directors

The role of the Directors is to provide leadership, direction and oversight to the organisation.

The Director’s charter encompasses three major elements:

• A legal dimension – requiring a Director to conform to laws and regulations of the land.

The organisation must observe and conform with the CATSI (2006) Act and a range of laws relating to financial practices, industrial relations and so on.

• An ethical dimension – requiring a Director to demonstrate a high level of responsibility not only to members and employees but also to clients, service providers and to the community at large.

• A business dimension – requiring a Director to ensure that the organisation plans effectively for sustainability, progress, advancement, best practice and continuous development whilst continually monitoring its stated goals.

For more information on the role of individual NCACCH Directors here.

Directors Update

Board of Directors Update 21 November 2024 – Click here

Board of Directors Update 24 May 2023 – Click here

Board of Directors Update 24 January 2023 –  Click here