Ms Vonda Malone

Ms Vonda Malone was appointed by former Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, as the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Chief Executive Officer on 6 April 2022 and commenced her five-year term on 1 May 2022.

A Torres Strait Islander woman with connection to Erub (Darnley Island) and Cape York, Ms Malone brings extensive professional experience including in her role as the first female Mayor of the Torres Shire Council.

With more than 20 years of experience working across 3 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.

Ms Malone has a particular interest in improving health and wellbeing outcomes for the region.

“Beyond delivering outcomes and positive change, I hope to encourage women and people in regional and remote communities to pursue leadership opportunities.”

Read media release.

Background:

McKinnon Prize Emerging Political Leader of the Year in 2017 – Recognising outstanding political leadership as Mayor of Torres Shire Council

Former Mayor, Torres Shire Council

Former Chairperson, Community Enterprise Queensland

Former Chairperson, Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance

Former Member, Indigenous Reference Group, Ministerial Forum on Northern Development

Australian Rural Leadership Program, Alumni

United Nations Human Rights Commissioner's Indigenous Fellowship Program, Fellow

Centenary Medal, Recipient

Graduate Certificate in Australian Rural Leadership & Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management