COMMUNITY FOCUS NATIONAL - Key Persons
Fiona Pemberton has worked at a senior level in indigenous affairs for over 20 years in an administrative, policy, cultural heritage, business management, organisational and community development capacity. This has been in the public, private and not for profit sector. Fiona's field of expertise is in indigenous community development, community capacity building, corporate governance and program development. Having worked in remote Aboriginal communities for 14 years, including managing Tjuntjuntjara community as the CEO for 5 years, she has utilised her post graduate qualifications in Community Development to facilitate community driven programs and policies.
My name is Maria Fredericks and I live on Kwini country in Kalumburu Community with my family where I care for children and extended family.
I am a Wunambal Gaambera woman and I am a traditional owner for Kingana country in the north Kimberley region.
My interests are painting as part of the Kalumburu Art Collective and I am a member of the Kalumburu Photography Collective and have been selected for the Exhibition of Exposure and mentorship for New voices in Indigenous Photography in Perth. I first held a camera and started taking photos in 2017 as part of the Olympus vision Project supported by Enterprise Partnerships WA. Since then I have continued to practice and learn, heading out on country to capture the land surrounding Kalumburu. I also love taking portraits and telling stories through these images.
I would like to be considered for the board of directors for CFN as I have a lot to do with the young people of Kalumburu. I will be able to bring knowledge of what the younger women in community need.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager
Melissa has been engaged with aboriginal communities for the past 6 years both on the ground in communities in the kimberley in a business development role and advisory capacity with indigenous community volunteers in Western Australia and Northern Territory. She has served as business manager for Kalumburu Aboriginal Corporation more recently and currently based in Broome she is providing mentoring and business support to the Ardyaloon Community Council on the Dampier peninsula.
A passionate advocate for remote aboriginal communities and identifying their needs with government Melissa is a strong communicator and sees community development as the way forward in developing plans that reflects the real needs of the communities she serves.
With collaboration she believes the strength of communities lies in their empowerment to be the authors of their own destinies which ultimately leads to their sustainability into the future .