NAIDOC Perth Committee

NAIDOC Perth Committee

The NAIDOC Perth Committee is built up of a passionate team of individuals, dedicated to creating an entertaining and inclusive event to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Executive Committee

Glenda Kickett

Glenda Kickett

Chairperson

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 Penny

John Penny

Vice Chairperson

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.

Murray Riley

Murray Riley

Director

Murray Riley has proudly supported the Miss NAIDOC Perth Program since 2018 and has remained a dedicated mentor and volunteer. Following the introduction of the Mr NAIDOC Program in 2021, he has continued to actively support both programs, helping create opportunities for young Aboriginal leaders to grow in confidence, strengthen their cultural identity and develop their leadership skills. 

Murray has cultural connections to Wadjuk, Ballardong, Yued and Southern Noongar Country and was raised in the Perth metropolitan area. His culture and community are at the heart of everything he does. 

For more than 15 years, Murray has worked in Aboriginal engagement, focusing on employment, mentoring and community development. He believes that creating culturally safe environments and investing in people is key to building stronger communities and future leaders.  Beyond his professional work, Murray currently serves as Chair of Victoria Park Youth Accommodation, where he continues to advocate for young people. He is honoured to support young people through the Miss and Mr NAIDOC Perth Programs as they embrace their culture, develop as leaders and become strong role models within their communities

Joslyn Eades-Tass

Joslyn Eades-Tass

Treasurer

Joslyn Eades-Tass is a Noongar woman born on Balladong country with custodian ties to the Wagyl Kaip and South Boojarah regions of Noongar nation. She has completed her secondary education, entered the workforce and lived on Whadjuk country for some 36 years. Joslyn has an absolute commitment to increase Aboriginal engagement, participation and collaboration to improve outcomes for Aboriginal individuals, families and communities.

Corey Jacobs

Corey Jacobs

Secretary

Corey joined NAIDOC Perth in 2020 and is part of the NAIDOC Perth Ball working group. Corey is of Wadjuk, Ballardong, Yued, Wagyl Kaip & Southern Nyoongar decent, and grew up in the Perth metro and Rockingham-Kwinana regions.

Patrick (Pat) Smith

Patrick (Pat) Smith

Patrick was born in Kojonup, Western Australia and is of Noongar heritage with strong, practising cultural values. Patrick holds an Associate Degree in Aboriginal Community Management and Development from Curtin University and Certificate III in Community Service Work. He has worked in a number of service roles supporting the Aboriginal community, including legal services and currently as a case co-ordinator and housing support worker at Centrecare.

Kristy Ninyette

Kristy Ninyette

Director

Claudia Franca de Abreu

Claudia Franca de Abreu

Project Officer

Claudia Franca de Abreu is the Project Officer at NAIDOC Perth Aboriginal Corporation, supporting governance, operations, and the delivery of initiatives that celebrate and strengthen NAIDOC Perth’s ethos. With a multidisciplinary background spanning project management, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning and community development, she has worked across government, industry, research and the not-for-profit sector to deliver complex projects with diverse partners.  Passionate about meaningful collaboration, Claudia is committed to building strong relationships, supporting Aboriginal-led outcomes, and helping create opportunities that foster cultural connection, community participation and lasting positive impact.