NAIDOC Perth Committee

Glenda Kickett belongs to the Whadjuk and Ballardong peoples of the Bibbulumun Nyungah nation from the South West of Western Australia through both her mother and father’s family lines. She is a Social Worker, having graduated from the University of Western Australia (UWA) in 1993; has a Master of Arts from Curtin University in Indigenous Research and Development in 2004; and is completing a PhD in Social Work at UWA.

Glenda is the Manager, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement at the Australian Childhood Foundation and has worked to support and advocate for Aboriginal children and families in Out-of-Home care, family support and reunification programs within government and non-government organisations. She also lectures in the School of Social Work in the unit, Indigenous People and Social Work.

Glenda as been recognised with numerous awards including WA Social Worker of the Year Worker (2010) and Richmond Fellowship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Worker of the Year (2010); inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame 2016; as well as the Grace Vaughn Award 2011 and finalist in the WA Day Awards, Aboriginal section 2019; finalist in the WA Australia Day Awards 2020, Community Award. She is the Chairperson of NAIDOC Perth Inc. and a member of the Noongar Family Safety Wellbeing Council; Co-Chair of Social Reinvestment WA, Vice Chair of Wungenging Aboriginal Corporation and Chairperson of Shooting Stars, Glass Jar, Australia, education through netball.

John is a Noongar man from the South West with links to Wagyl Kaip and Gnaala Karla Booja Native Title Groups. He is passionate about the culture and the wellbeing of his people, serving as Vice Chairperson of NAIDOC Perth and an active member of the Aboriginal Advancement Council and Wagyl Kaip Working Party, as well as serving previously on the Raventhorpe Nikel Operation/ Wagyl Kaip Relationship Committee, Kaarta-Moorda Aboriginal Corporation, Derbal Yerrigan Health Service Board of Directors, and Wagyl Kaip Advisory Trust Committee.

John is an accredited mentor with a range of certifications across Career Development, Employment Services, Corporate Governance, Project Management, Mental Health First Aid, and delivery of Cultural Awareness Training. He currently works with GO2 People, delivering Community Engagement, Business Development and Recruitment Services. 

Michelle has been a Committee Member for the past 6 years and during this time has been involved in Miss NAIDOC Perth, and now leads the NAIDOC Awards Working Group. She has connections to Whadjuk, Balladong and Yued country and has lived in Rockingham for the last 23 years. Her early years were spent in regional WA and she later travelled with family to Central Australia and regional South Australia, this was an experience that she highly values, as she met a diverse group of people through both work and community.

Michelle graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Indigenous Community Management and Development), and has participated in Governance roles in a diverse range of community organisations and committees over the years. Michelle remains actively involved in her local community and maintains connections with her Elders and her community to assist in achieving community goals.

Cindy has been a member of the NAIDOC Committee since 2014 holding the position of Secretary.  She has enjoyed the challenges and obstacles of being involved and taking on the role of Convenor in all the Working Groups over these years including NAIDOC Perth Opening Ceremony, Miss NAIDOC, NAIDOC Perth Ball and the NAIDOC Perth Awards.  NAIDOC Perth showcases our Culture, Talents and Achievements, having these roles over the years has been amazing insight into NAIDOC Perth events.

Cindy is a Senior Whadjak/Ballardong Yok with family connections throughout Yuat, Gnarla Kaarla Boodja and Ngaki Ngaki. Cindy works in the Education Department and has been an AIEO for 17 years, whilst employed she also completed the Noongar Language Teaching course, with the passion to share our Culture and Language throughout Schools and Community.