Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation - People

Directors

Balkanu’s directors are responsible for the operational, financial, and administrative policies of the organisation. Meeting a minimum of twice yearly, they discuss policy and strategic issues, review financial accounts, and communicate the aspirations and goals of their communities.

Waubin Richard Aken - Chairman
Richard Aken is the current Chairman and a Kaurareg traditional owner. Richard has been chairman since the corporation’s foundation in 1997. He works with elders of the Kaurareg lands and waters to strengthen alliances with the wider Cape York community. Richard was involved in the re-establishment of the Horn Island community through a Native Title Claim of the Kaurareg nation and actively participates in the the maintenance of his people’s unique culture.

Gerhardt Pearson – Executive Director
Gerhardt is a Bama Bagarrmuguwarra from the Kalpowar, Jeannie River and Lakefield National Park areas. He has actively represented Cape York for many years at a state and national level, including a nine year position as ATSIC Commissioner for the Far North West Zone. In 1987 Gerhardt became the first Aboriginal Council Clerk of a Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT) community, replacing the states Executive Officer in Hope Vale. Gerhardt is a founding member of many key organisations including Tharpuntoo Legal Service, CYLC, Apunipima, ODN, IEP, and ISX.

Richard Ahmat
Richard is descended from the Yupangathi group from the Pennefather River region that falls within the Napranum and Mapoon Shires. The area is mostly covered by mining leases and Richard was actively involved in high level negotiations that resulted in the Western Cape York Communities Co-existence Agreement. Formally signed in 2001, the agreement will provide royalties, preservation of cultural heritage, and employment and training opportunities for the communities of Weipa, Napranum, Aurukun, Mapoon and New Mapoon. Richard has served as Chairperson, and later Executive Director, of the CYLC.

Toby Accoom
Gerhardt Pearson Toby’s traditional country is Kanthnumpoo, near Lockhart River where he is the Work Foreman for the local shire council. With a heavy rigid truck licence, Toby operates a variety of equipment, usually a dozer. After twenty-three years he still enjoys working outside, passing on skills to young people and making his community a better place. Toby is passionate about the Outstation Movement and believes young people today have many opportunities and should aim high to achieve a sound education and good employment.

Thomas George (Jnr)
Thomas (not pictured) represents the Laura community. He is a senior tradtional owner of the Kuku Thaypan people whose lands are situated North-west of Laura. Thomas also serves on the board of Apunipima Cape York Health Council.

Annie Bandicootcha
Gerhardt Pearson Annie is from Buywam (Sudley Station) and is the Chairperson for the Napranum Community Justice Group. She is passionate about the need to educate young people about the dangers of substance abuse. Her role in the implementation of Alcohol Management Plans allows her to be proactive in this regard. Annie is very interested in the housing projects Balkanu undertakes and would like to see mechanisms introduced that support Aboriginal people to achieve long-term improvements in housing.

Estelle Bowen
Gerhardt Pearson Estelle is a Kuku Taipan Bama from Lakefield National Park. For the past twelve years Estelle has been the Life Promotions Officer in Hope Vale and is responsible for working with identified at-risk young people and their families. Estelle is part of the Hope Vale Community Justice Group that is responsible for implementing local strategies to address justice issues in the community including the development of alcohol management plans. Estelle is passionate about the Outstation Movement and believes the health and welfare of her people are improved by spending time on their traditional lands.

Alan Creek
Gerhardt Pearson Alan is senior Kaanju traditional owner whose homelands are situated around the Blue Mountains north of Coen. He works for CYP on the Welfare Reform project and is also an executive member of both the CYPDA and Northern Skills Alliance as well as Deputy Chairman of the Northern Cattlemen’s Alliance. He was the former Chair of both the CYLC and CRAC and also served a term on the PRC. Alan is passionate about Aboriginal people taking control of their lives and breaking the welfare cycle.

Robert Yieum Holroyd
Gerhardt Pearson Robert, based in Pormpuraaw, is a senior Wik elder whose traditional land is Nakangyanka on the Holroyd River. Robert was the founding Chairperson of the CYLC and still maintains a position on the board. He was a long-time member of the Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Council and has served two terms on the PRC as well as a term with Apunipima. Robert is passionate about the land rights and outstation movements.

John Stephen Mark
Gerhardt Pearson John is from Warrangku, near the Kaolin Mine outside Old Mapoon. His favourite place is Skardon River where he likes to fish and hunt. John is a security guard for the Bamaga Island Council and works night shifts patrolling the various council building in his community. John is keen to see more young people learning about their culture and believes an important part of this is learning to live on their traditional lands. He believes this will help them to be proactive about their rights and responsibilities. John was previously on the board of CYLC.

Conrad Michael
Gerhardt Pearson Conrad is a Balngarrwarra Bama from Normanby River, north-west of Cooktown. Conrad is an artist and paints traditional stories from his country. He has been painting for many years and would like to learn business management skills so he can rely on his art and culture to support him and his family. Conrad is passionate about training for young people as he believes with the right skills many of them can pursue promising careers in a field of their choice. He has been a committee member for Gungarde in Cooktown.

Danny Salee
Gerhardt Pearson Danny is part of the Angkamuthi Clan from the west-coast near Injinoo. His favourite place is Vrilya where he enjoys harvesting a variety of seafood. A security officer for the Injinoo Council, Danny is passionate about economic and social development for his people. He believes preserving and sharing traditional knowledge and history has an important part to play in achieving this. Danny is board member on the Injinoo Aboriginal Corporation with responsibility to manage the Pajinka Tourist Lodge and was previously on the board of the Torres Strait Fisheries Management and the CYLC.

Elizabeth Tayley
Gerhardt Pearson Elizabeth is from Bana-Mindilji (Dawnvale Station) near the community of Wujal Wujal. Elizabeth maintains the station homestead, supporting her sons and family, as well as helping with the maintenance of fences, stock and equipment. She enjoys the variety of her work and would like to expand into a business venture. Elizabeth enjoys her work with Balkanu and is especially interested in tourism opportunities for Cape York people including her own family. Elizabeth has been a committee member of both Apunupima and CYLC since 2003. This is her second term with Balkanu.

Charles Woosup
Gerhardt Pearson Charles is from the Angkamuthi clan whose lands extend from Alau, Injinoo down to the Skardon River. He would like to set up an outstation and tourism venture on his land. Charles is a boilermaker by trade and has been a community councillor for Umagico Shire Council for nearly twenty years. He has represented his community through Apunipima, the land council and the Injinoo Land Trust. Charles is passionate about the opportunities Balkanu’s digital network offers through access to mainstream information and knowledge.