National Office
Gregory Andrews
Role: Chief Executive Officer
Background: I have always had a strong commitment to human rights, human development and cross-cultural issues. These have been a focus of my career to date, which has taken me to China, Mongolia, Japan and the Northern Territory. Immediately before joining ICV, I managed the Commonwealth Government’s early childhood and parenting programs that protect children from abuse and neglect and give them the best start in life. Outside of work, my main interests are my wife and children, native birds and gardening.
Favourite thing about working at ICV: ICV is enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to realise their full potential in Australian society and economy. And while we empower Indigenous communities, families and individuals, we also bring Australians together to build reconciliation.
Tina McDonald
Role: National Volunteer and Communications Manager
Background: Throughout my professional career I have always worked within the broad field of education. My first position was teaching on Thursday Island which triggered a connection to Indigenous education and social issues which I have maintained in a variety of forms. Over time I have moved from an educator to developing and managing client services and programmes across diverse educational sectors both nationally and internationally. I enjoy the creativity and strategic planning involved in building partnerships and cooperative working relationships with organisations to achieve worthy outcomes. Joining the ICV team allows me to draw together my past experiences and contribute to the organisation achieving its goal.
Favourite thing about working at ICV: I value the opportunity of working with volunteers and Indigenous communities to exchange and learn new skills and cultural knowledge. This helps us build a more compassionate society.
Peter Morison
Role: Finance Manager (based in Brisbane office)
Background: Canberra born, tertiary studies in Sydney (UNSW), Perth (Murdoch Uni) and Canberra (CIT). Consultant with Acton Corporate Partners in Canberra from 1998 to 2005.Approached by ICV in 2002 to help run their finances until the job became full time in 2005. Married a Queenslander, moved to Brisbane in March 2005 and presently work out of ICV’s Brisbane office.
Favourite thing about working at ICV : Firstly, the opportunity to work with Indigenous Australians and second, being part of a charitable organisation from its onset, witnessing its growth and success, while working through its issues.
Glynis Whitfield
Role: Operations and Finance Officer
Background: Mostly I have worked in small businesses as Office Manager where I had to be capable of doing everything that came my way. Even ran my own bookkeeping business for a short time before moving from Sydney to Canberra for a new look on life. I have two Yoga teaching diplomas and it was while I was returning from teaching a yoga class that I heard someone on Radio National’s Bush Telegraph talking about volunteering with ICV. I was immediately taken with the whole concept and through “What a Great Idea!”
Favourite Thing About Working with ICV: Working with like-minded people whose focus is in creating a positive society in Australia. I see ICV as a way to bring about reconciliation between all parts of Australian society so that we create a whole which incorporates the very diverse pieces that go to make it up.
Nick Ellis
Role: Publications and Web Officer
Background: Grew up, studied in and begrudgingly learned to love Canberra. Trained in multimedia communications at the University of Canberra, I have spent the years following uni looking for an opportunity to put my skills to use. Working with ICV is just the ticket. In addition, working with ICV has introduced me to concepts, ideas and people I would never have had the opportunity to encounter or meet. I am constantly surprised and impressed by the work that is done here.
Favourite thing about working at ICV: Working in the field I want to and putting that work towards supporting Indigenous Communites. The fact that the projects are initiated and controlled by the Communities is ridiculously important and I'm proud to be involved.
Taita Viri
Background: Originally from the land of 'The Unexpected',
Favourite thing about working at ICV: My favorite thing about working for ICV is the pleasant working environment and the awesome friendly nature of all ICV staff members.
Maryam Blizard
Background: I was born in Queanbeyan and still am in Queanbeyan, but was lucky enough to experience the Island life for nine years somewhere in the middle (growing up on Cocos (Keeling) and then Norfolk Island). This experience of living with different communities and cultures combined with a strong influence of the Baha’i Faith has made me want to learn more skills so that I can in some way give a little back to the community. Over the past few years I’ve been luckily enough to put some of this in practice and have volunteered locally as well as on the Cook Islands, and Vanuatu. I really love working with people and thoroughly enjoyed my experience as manager of a computer bookstore but I must admit I’m a lot more passionate about volunteers and Indigenous Communities, than I am computer books.
Favourite thing about working at ICV:The best thing about working for ICV is the fact that everyone we work with genuinely wants to support Indigenous Communities and to make a difference and in the process we are surrounded by some of the most amazing, pure-hearted and talented people – colleagues, volunteers and communities alike! Life really doesn’t get any better!
Anisa Naraqi
Background: I grew up in Papua New Guinea and moved to Australia as a teenager. Indigenous culture in PNG is very strong and some of my happiest memories growing up were when I would spend time with local friends in their villages. I love travelling and have also lived in Israel for two years. I lived in Newcastle for a couple of years then moved to Canberra in 2005 to finish off my Arts/Law degree.
My first contact with Aboriginal culture happened when I met an Aboriginal elder. I realised that Aboriginal culture had a lot in common with the things I loved about PNG culture, such as spiritual beliefs and family ties. Soon after that I took up Aboriginal studies at university.
Favourite thing about working at ICV:
When I moved to Canberra I learned about ICV from a friend who was working here. I joined the ICV team because I believe in our model of development and the opportunity it gives people to make a contribution. I have loved working for ICV and I reckon I have the best job. I get to interview our volunteers so I’m always meeting cool and amazing people. Hopefully I’ll get to volunteer myself one day!
Western Region
Anthony (Tony) Culbong
Role: Project Officer
Background: I was born in Port Hedland in the Plibara of WA, after leaving Pt Hedland we lived in various locations throughout WA and Australia before my family settled in Geraldton. Prior to joining ICV, I was employed by the Health Department as the Indigenous Men’s Sexual Health Officer. My role was to engage young Aboriginal people and communities and raise awareness on sexually transmitted infections and blood borne viruses, this was often done through schools, detention centres and community groups.
Favorite thing about working with ICV: Assisting Aboriginal people, services, and communities work towards projects, goals and outcomes they believe will benefit the community.
Central Region
Jennifer Standish-White
Role: Regional Manager - Central Region
Background: Former Fashion Designer and Design and Product Development Manager in Zimbabwe, I moved to Australia in 2000 with a desire to learn about my new country. I have worked in the not-for-profit sector in Australia for Outback 2002 Limited and as General Manager of the Alice Springs Festival. After seeing an advertisement for ICV I applied to volunteer in 2002. Highly rewarded by my first experience, I undertook 2 further skills transfer projects and was subsequently offered the position of National Volunteer Manager with ICV in its Brisbane office. I have since returned to the Centre indebted to its breathtaking beauty and spiritual peace.
Favourite thing about working at ICV : I have always believed in creating an environment to gain self-sufficiency. Since leaving Africa, being part of the ICV team has given me the opportunity to continue working with my hands whilst doing something my heart believes in.
Richard Hill
Role: Project Officer
Background: I was born and raised in Europe, however, have lived and worked in Central Australia for the past thirty years. During this time I spent many years living and working in remote Aboriginal communities with Aboriginal run organisations in the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara and Pintupi Central Desert regions. My experience on communities has predominately been within the retail and essential services sectors where I recruited and supported community members to undertake significant roles, contributing to the welfare, economic development and ongoing sustainability of their communities. I also established and operated my own business for ten years here in Alice Springs.
Favourite thing about working at ICV:
The vision and mission statements of ICV are values that sit well with my outlook on life.
Brittany Van Heugten
Role: Administration Officer / Receptionist
Background: Born in South-East Victoria I have spent the majority of my life in the Northern Territory. Upon finishing my Secondary School studies I involved myself in a Volunteer Project in India, where it was a small community’s goal to become self-sufficient, whilst creating a positive environment for the generations which are to follow. The experience of working with such determined and enthusiastic people has given me an insight into the rewarding nature of being a volunteer contributing to a community’s goals.
Favourite thing about working with ICV: Being in a position to assist the Aboriginal people of Australia to achieve goals which are important to their communities and which are of benefit to the Nation wide community as a whole.
Eastern Region
Kevin Childs
Role:Regional Manager
Background: I was born at Botany Bay in 1950 and now live on a little island in Moreton Bay. I have a broad experience in private and public sector enterprises from computer training sales and service, to many years working in the Queensland public sector mainly on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy and service agencies. From 1980 to 1990 I was elected as councilor on the Bellingen Shire spending most of that period as deputy mayor. While living in Bellingen I was an active committee member of local and regional NGO’s delivering services ranging from arts, adult education to employment.
Favorite thing about working with ICV: I have a lifelong commitment to social justice and community building and ICV has people with the same passion. In my role in ICV I will be able to work with great people to generate great results for Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities in Australia.
Rayna Cowburn
Role: Project Officer
Background:I am an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman with ties to the Burnett region, the Eastern Cape and Eastern and Central Torres Strait Islands. Prior to working with ICV, I worked for several years in Indigenous education as well as Aboriginal Hostels Limited and the tourism industry. The highlight of my professional career was working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from diverse communities around Australia, in an Indigenous Community Management & Development program. This opportunity has strengthened my understanding and awareness of current issues and their affects on my people. I believe true community development is working along side of communities in a way that allows the community to make decisions for themselves about their own future.
Favourite thing about working at ICV: Being part of a community-driven, positive approach to developing Indigenous communities.
Tamika Currie
Role: Project Officer Eastern Region
Background: I am a Murri woman that was born in Brisbane and grew up in its southern suburb of Woodridge. In my working life I have worked in lots of different positions, but the main jobs I have done are working as a youth theatre worker, Drama high school teacher both in Australia and England, a Live in Nanny and finally as a Federal Government Public Servant before coming over to ICV.
Favourite thing about working for ICV: Helping to facilitate getting community driven skill share projects happening, meeting new people and seeing new places.
Larry Budd
Role: Project Officer
Background: Born in Mullumbimby NSW and have lived in QLD for the past 32 years. Spent my early years on the Gold Coast, graduated as a Wood Machinist and Surfer, not quite sure which one came first. Spent considerable time working in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands within both the fine Joinery and saw milling areas upon which I received my first taste of skills transfer. This journey and very memorable experience then led myself to become a teacher with Tafe QLD where my expertise again allowed the opportunity to pass on my skills and experiences to the wider community. I then moved from Education to Policy Development with the QLD Government, which entailed a portfolio of Special Projects. This again allowed another wonderful and exciting opportunity to be involved within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. My current other life at present is being the Chairperson of the Indigenous Cricket Advisory Committee QLD, National Indigenous Cricket Advisory Committee QLD representative which again allows myself the opportunity of being involved within similar philosophies of ICV.
Favourite thing about working at ICV: working with an exciting team and confidently knowing ICV’S philosophy’s are ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities and Organisations become stronger, allowing a greater future within mainstream society.
Dubbo
Mike Nolan
Role: Field Officer
Background:I was born in Dubbo NSW and although I have lived and worked in other areas, my strong connection with my country keeps calling me home. My passion in life has always been my family, culture and country.
I have held a wide range of positions over the years and have had the privilege of working with many communities across Australia. I have tertiary qualifications relating to natural and cultural resource management and I am a graduate from the Australia Rural Leadership Program, where I was sponsored by CSIRO Australia.
Favourite thing about working at ICV: seeing the positive outcomes on the ground for our people.