First Nations Advisors

(Boigu, Torres Strait Islands)

Masepah Banu (Mas) is a Boigu Islander from the Torres Strait Islands who acknowledges his Aboriginal heritage from Taepithiggi, the community of Mapoon in western part of Cape York Peninsula.  He has extensive experience in governance as Project Officer at the Office of Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Chairperson for the ACT Torres Strait Islander Corporation, Member to the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body and Delegate to the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples.  Currently, Mas is an Engagement Officer to the Australian Electoral Commission where his role is to educate First Nations people on enrolling to vote and engaging in opportunities to work at polling centres in upcoming elections. 

(Dunghutti/Gamilaroi) 

Marie Barbaric is a proud Dunghutti and Gamilaroi woman and CEO of Koori Kulcha Experience, which provides catering, cross-cultural training, team building workshops and tourism. She is a Director of Illawarra Wingecarribee Aboriginal Alliance; a Director of Hume Coal Charity; and lead negotiator for OCHRE , the community focused plan of the NSW Government.   

 Marie is also Director of Women's Business and has completed political candidate training with Women for Election Australia and Pathways to Politics Program for Women at UNSW Sydney.

 (Australian Rawandan) 

Noël Zihabamwe is the Founder and Chair the African Australian Advocacy Centre (AAAC). 

The  AAAC is the peak body representing the African Australian Communities in the area of advocacy, research, and policy outcomes. In late 2022, AAAC coordinated the UN Working Group of Experts on Persons of African Descent (WGEPAD) in Australia which investigated human rights issues facing persons of African descent in Australia,
 

 Noël is emeritus advisory board  member at Australian Human Rights Institute (AHRI) UNSW. The Australian  Human Rights Institute breaks silos between academic research and  real-world problems to progress human rights.  

Noël is a multiple winner of professional, community, human rights and leadership awards. 

He is co-author of the book “One Thousand Hill” and is passionate about Human Rights advocacy. 

(Australian Lebanese)

In 2017, Nadia Saleh made history as the first hijab-wearing woman to be elected into local government in Australia. The news made headlines around the world after she secured a seat on Canterbury-Bankstown Council — the largest council area in NSW.

During her election campaign, Nadia won more votes than any other candidate in the state of NSW and was elected as Councillor for the City of Canterbury Bankstown from 2017-2021 and also elected Deputy Mayor (2017-2018).

Nadia’s career includes 21 years at Riverwood Community Centre where she worked as Community Development, Youth and Families Services Manager. She currently works as Diversity and Inclusion Manager at the Australian Services Union.  

Nadia received the Edna Ryan Award for making a feminist difference in 2012, the Local Woman of the Year Award in 2018 and Bankstown Women of the Year 2019 for her contributions to the community.

(Australian Bengali)

 Tito is a Bengali Australian community development practitioner with expertise in social policy, rights based community organising,  diversity, inclusion and pluralism. 

Tito's professional career spans teaching English, especially post-colonial literature and cultural studies at university level, UNDP, local government and NGOs delivering  public health, diversity and youth outcomes. 

In Australian local  government Tito championed rights based diversity policies to combat  systemic/structured racism, the legacy of White Australia policy.   He is an active community development coordinator and regularly campaigns for people of colour political candidates, particularly in NSW.   

Tito  lives in Bidjigal country and works in Dharug and Tharawal countries.