Helen Tait – Director
Helen graduated from the Queensland University of Technology with a bachelor of arts (Justice) and her career in native title spans over 17 years. Helen commences her career with the Carpentaria Land Council in 2001 and was engaged as their CEO from 2008- 2014.
Helen joined the Gunggandji – Mandingalbay Yidinji People’s Prescribed Body Corporate as their Executive Officer in 2016. Helen is responsible for implementing the GMYPPBC masterplan project with the consortium of expertise to deliver socio-economic benefits to the GMY people and the wider community of Yarrabah.
Helen is an active member of Yarrabah Leadership Forum (YLF) and has assisted the Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council to secure funding from the Department of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Sslander Partnership to deliver the Yrarrabah Social Reinvestment project, and transition to the new Job active service provider Wugu Nyambil Ltd in July 2018.
Helen has completed the ACID fundamentals of directorship and is the justice of the peace (qualified). Helen has also served a term as the vice president of the Cairns Business Women’s Club in 2017 and was the Chair of the CBWC Business Women of the year awards.
Helen is a champion for change and member of the Arbonne charitable foundation empowerment taskforce and an advocate for building capacity in indigenous communities, which she believes is a fundamental creating intergenerational change and achieves by thinking beyond borders
Suzanne Andrews – Chairperson
Suzanne Andrews is a proud Aboriginal woman from the Jaru, Punaba, and Bunal Bardi peoples of Western Australia’s North Kimberley region. Now calling Yarrabah home, Suzanne moved there in her early teens and continues to live and work in the community she deeply values.
Suezanne is the Chief Executive Officer of GYHSAC, and brings over 15 years of experience in the health and community-controlled sector. She is a passionate advocate for social change and community empowerment, dedicated to improving health outcomes and supporting self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Suzanne plays a key role in shaping the strategic direction of Yarrabah through her membership in the Yarrabah Leaders Forum (YLF), which works collectively to advance the community’s priorities and long-term goals.
Avril Yeatman – Director
Avril was born and raised on the lands of the Gunggandji people in Yarrabah, dedicating her entire career to serving her community. Her professional journey encompasses a diverse array of roles, primarily in customer service and administration, and more recently, in senior management positions.
With personal experience and a profound understanding of the challenges faced by First Nations peoples, Avril is deeply passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of those in need.
In her personal life, Avril cherishes spending quality time with her family and enjoys activities such as boating, camping, fishing, exploring her homeland, watching rugby league and engaging in community initiatives