New Congress Co-Chairs

Reconciliation Australia has warmly welcomed the election of the Co-Chairs of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, Les Malezer, a Gubbi Gubbi – Butchulla man from Queensland and Kirstie Parker, a Yuwallarai woman from NSW.

CEO Leah Armstrong said the election will strengthen Australia’s peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative body at a critical time in the country’s reconciliation process.

“The Congress elections have resulted in a continued strong national leadership for Australia’s First Peoples and Reconciliation Australia looks forward to maintaining our close working relationship with Congress,” she said. “I am delighted that Kirstie Parker, a Reconciliation Australia Director, has been elected as the Female Co-Chair.”

“As well as editing the Koori Mail, Kirstie has been a pro-active member of the RA Board and an extremely effective advocate for the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“She has a wealth of experience across government, media and the arts and has demonstrated the sort of strong leadership skills that are so necessary in representing the aspirations of our people across the country.”

Ms Armstrong said that the re-election of Les Malezer as Male Co-Chair will provide continuity to the Congress leadership.

“As Australia moves towards a referendum on constitutional recognition of First Peoples, the National Congress will be increasingly important in ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are properly engaged with and informed about the process,” she said. “I am confident that both Kirstie and Les will facilitate this community engagement.”

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people need a strong representative voice and I believe they have that this will continue with the newly elected Congress leadership.”

Ms Armstrong also paid tribute to the significant achievements of current Congress Co-Chair Jody Broun, a Yindjibarndi woman from WA.

“Jody was critical in steering the National Congress through its first two years and establishing a professional and responsive national body; I wish her every success in her future endeavours,” concluded Leah Armstrong.

The Co-Chairs elect will commence their two year terms in August.

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Paul House with gum leaves and smoke
Paul Girrawah House

Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.  

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

Acknowledgement of Country

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

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