The Healing Foundation welcomes Ivy Trevallion, Ian Hamm and Nigel Browne as members of its Board of Directors as we continue to give voice to the experiences, needs and views of Stolen Generations survivors, their families, and communities to Make Healing Happen.
Ivy Trevallion is a Torres Strait Islander woman, born on Thursday Island, where she currently resides. The first Torres Strait Islander social worker to graduate from Queensland University, she has dedicated her life to child wellbeing, social work, and First Nations health for more than 30 years. In June 2021, she was named a Queensland Great by the Queensland Government. A tireless advocate for Torres Strait Islander rights and cultural safety, Ivy is an active representative on several local and national bodies, including as President of the Torres Strait Islander Media Association (TSIMA).
Ian Hamm is a Yorta Yorta man and the current Board Chair of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO). Ian sits on a number of other high-profile boards including the Koori Heritage Trust, National Trust of Australia, and Australian Red Cross.
Nigel Browne is a proud Larrakia and Wulna man and the Chief Executive Officer at the Larrakia Development Corporation. Nigel is also and a Legal Officer (RANR) with the Australian Defence Force and Chair of the Australia Day Council (NT).
The Healing Foundation Board Chair Professor Steve Larkin said the appointments of Ivy, Nigel and Ian would further organisational priorities for truth telling, self-determination, healing through culture, systems reform, and improvements at policy, program, and workforce levels.
"Ivy joins the Board with deep understanding and experience of First Nations health, particularly from the Torres Strait Islander perspective," Professor Larkin said.
"We will be stronger as an organisation with Ivy's experience and input, ensuring the Torres
Strait communities and families are represented and have a voice along our journey.
"Ian's extensive knowledge of The Healing Foundation is second to none, having sat on the Stolen Generations Reference Group since the early days.
"His wisdom and leadership will now guide the organisation into a new era as we turn our attention to the case for long overdue healing.
"Nigel is a passionate advocate, who will represent Stolen Generations survivors and their descendants as we broaden our conversations with government and industry.
"Nigel will strengthen our capacity as we make a case for ending cycles of trauma experiences; a case for intergenerational healing.
"Their experience will be invaluable as we push for a nationally consistent, fair, and equitable redress for Stolen Generations survivors, their families, and descendants."
Ivy, Nigel and Ian all come to the Board with genuine experience working with First Nations' communities, along with strong connections in government and industry.
They were appointed as Directors to The Healing Foundation Board and will join myself, Leann Wilson, Stephanie Harvey, Aden Ridgeway, and Russell Taylor as a diverse, cohesive, all-First Nations Board of Directors.
"The Healing Foundation is in a stronger position with Ivy, Nigel and Ian on the Board as we focus our efforts on tailored and targeted trauma-aware and healing-informed services to meet the unique aged care, health, disability, and housing needs of Stolen Generations survivors to Make Healing Happen," Professor Larkin said.
"It will take strong, consistent leadership to Make Healing Happen because we know a significant burden of poorer health, wellbeing, social, and economic outcomes, is experienced by our survivors, their families and communities."
The Healing Foundation is governed by an all First Nations Board and Executive and guided in our work by our Stolen Generations and Youth Reference Groups.
The Healing Foundation is a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that partners with communities to address trauma caused by the widespread and deliberate disruption of populations, cultures, and languages over 230 years. This includes specific actions like the forced removal of children from their families.
