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General News

13 April, 2022

Local Leader Appointed Top Role In Torres Strait

TORRES Strait Islander leader, Vonda Malone, has been announced as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA).


(L-R) TSRA Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen and New TSRA CEO, Vonda Malone
(L-R) TSRA Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen and New TSRA CEO, Vonda Malone

Ms Malone – a Torres Strait Islander woman, connected to Thursday Island and Erub (Darnley Island) – will become the most senior public servant living in the region. 

She returns to TSRA after extensive professional experience, including her role as the first female Mayor of the Torres Shire Council. 

Ms Malone has 22 years of experience working across three levels of government, specialising in Indigenous Affairs. 

She brings a unique international perspective to the role through her positions with both the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the United Nations Office of the Human Rights Commission, Geneva. 

TSRA Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen AM said the appointment demonstrated TSRA’s commitment to providing local leadership opportunities. 

“As the region’s lead federal agency and large local employer, we are proud to create a legacy for our own people to grow, develop and thrive as leaders,” Mr Stephen said. 

“I would like to congratulate Ms Malone on her appointment and welcome her wealth of experience, advocacy and connections across all levels of government, most recently as the first female mayor for Torres Shire Council.” 

Mr Stephen said the appointment followed an extensive recruitment process, approved by Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, in consultation with the TSRA Board. 

“Local decision-making and self-determination include having a say in the leaders who will advocate for the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area,” he said. 

“We look forward to Ms Malone’s leadership to bring together the many government agencies represented in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area and our Non-Government Organisations to advance our people and region’s political and economic priorities.” 

He also thanked former CEO Leilani Bin-Juda for her efforts and contributions to the region. Incoming CEO Vonda Malone said she welcomed the opportunity to work with staff, communities and the TSRA Board to deliver local priorities. 

“It is important we build on lessons learned during the pandemic to innovate, improve and challenge each other to deliver the best possible outcomes for our people and region,” Ms Malone said. 

Ms Malone looks forward to working with the TSRA Chairperson, the Board, stakeholders and communities to achieve the TSRA’s vision of ‘Empowering our people, in our decision, in our culture for our future’. 

“Beyond delivering outcomes and positive change, I hope to encourage women and people in regional and remote communities to pursue leadership opportunities,” she said. Ms Malone will start her five-year term on May 1, 2022.

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