The State Voice is made up of the joint Presiding Members from each of the 6 Local Voice regions, with 12 Members in total.
Danni Smith and Leeroy Bilney are the State Voice Presiding Members.
Dougie identifies with and is deeply connected to the Yaralde people of the Ngarrindjeri Nation in South Australia, and the Badimia people of the Yamatji Nation in Western Australia.
Born and raised on Kaurna Yerta in the southern suburbs of Adelaide, he has developed a deep connection with the diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in this region. Dougie is the proud father of Jaylen and Aaliyah and partner to Lauren.
Dougie is currently employed as the Senior Project Officer with Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation at the Attorney-General’s Department. Having a strong passion for improving the lives and outcomes of his people, Dougie is relishing the opportunity to contribute to state-wide initiatives and ministerial processes.
Prior to this, Dougie spent over five years with the Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Unit in the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), employed in various programs of Aboriginal research, research translation and implementation. More recently Dougie spent time working with the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network as the Aboriginal Strategic Projects Manager.
He is also the current Chairperson of Neporendi Aboriginal Forum Incorporated, an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation located in the southern suburbs of Adelaide.
Susan is a proud Kaurna and Narungga woman born, raised, and educated on Kaurna Yerta, and is deeply connected to her communities. Her late mother, Alice Dixon, advocated extensively for the implementation of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, serving as Susan’s inspiration and guiding light.
Motivated by the complexities facing First Nations people in the justice and legal systems, Susan graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Adelaide in 2016, and was awarded the 2015 NAIDOC Scholar of the Year for South Australia, recognising her commitment to Aboriginal education.
For over four decades, Susan has served voluntarily on numerous Aboriginal boards, committees, and organisations across various sectors, including Education, Housing, Health, Employment, Child Protection, Aboriginal Women’s Rights, Justice and Law, and Local Council.
She advocates fiercely for the advancement of her people, emphasising social justice, equity, equality, and accessibility. Currently, Susan serves as the chairperson of the Port Adelaide Enfield Council's Aboriginal Advisory Panel and engages in cultural research and oral history projects as a community engagement consultant.
As part of the design team for the newly established Kaurna centre of excellence, Yitpi Yartapuultiku, she provided an Aboriginal cultural lens through cultural mapping, earning the 2022 SA Awards for Planning and Excellence - Planning With Country, along with the Minister's Award. The design concept for Yitpi Yartapuultiku was also shortlisted for the prestigious Venice Biennale Architettura 2023.
Melissa Thompson, a Pitjantjatjara woman, grew up in the Black Hill homeland near Umuwa in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands.
She is the Deputy Chair for Iwiri, an organisation based in Port Adelaide that supports people visiting Adelaide from the APY lands, and a Minister at the Adelaide Congress Ministry in Salisbury North.
Melissa is a member of the Department for Human Services (DHS) Taskforce that looks after people staying temporarily in the Adelaide Parklands.
Her extensive community background also includes working as a police aide in the APY lands and a young executive role with the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council. Melissa is dedicated to the support and wellbeing of people from the APY lands.
Mark Campbell is a Pitjantjatjara man from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. Mark works for Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Education Committee (PYEC) across the APY Lands, with a particular focus on the Mimili and Amata communities in the Far North.
PYEC is an Anangu led organisation that works to ensure Anangu children receive quality education and support in both Anangu and Piranpa (Non-Indigenous) ways.
Mark is especially passionate about APY living well on Country, supporting cultural education, and extinguishing domestic violence. He is also a strong advocate for more culturally appropriate approaches to mental health.
Candace is a proud Adnyamathanha, Kuyani, Mirning and Kapurn woman living in Port Augusta, with family and community ties across Australia.
Currently working as a customer service officer for Westpac / Bank SA branches across South Australia, Candace is also a single mum raising her daughter.
Passionate about the world of politics and justice when it comes to caring for Country, Candace is keen to create long-term changes in government so Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ affairs, programs, services, and organisations are driven and led by mob.
Rob is a proud Aboriginal man with Yawarrawarrka, Dirie, Yankunytjatjara and Nunkunu family connections. He has spent the last 30-plus years working in human services as a state Public Servant, and sits on a number of Boards including a SA National Parks ministerial-appointed advisory committee.
For the past 15 years he has led and managed Aboriginal community-controlled organisations that focus on improving the social determinants of Aboriginal people.
Rob is a passionate advocate and promoter for the advancement of all Aboriginal issues and concerns locally, regionally and throughout the entire state of South Australia, and believes in transparency, inclusivity, and fair opportunity for all.
Danni is an Eastern Arrernte, Guringdji, Kaurna, Narungga Nukunu and Ngarrindjeri woman.
A proud mother and grandmother, she is passionate about working for her community.
She is keen to actively contribute to systemic change and particularly seek out positive outcomes and opportunities for mob, by Truth telling.
Rob is a Ngarrindjeri man who has lived in Berri on Erawirung Country – the Lands of the First Peoples of the River Murray and Mallee - for over 35 years.
Currently working in Human Resources, he often challenges organisational policy to promote a safer workplace for First Nations Peoples and is particularly passionate about their recruitment, retention and development in the workplace.
Rob is keen to bring a measured voice of neutrality for First Nations People and influence the best possible outcomes for communities, where the next generations can have the opportunity to thrive.
Leeroy is a proud Marlinyu Ghoorlie, Wirangu, Kokatha, Mirning, Noongar and Barngala person.
Born in Port Lincoln, Leeroy has lived most of his life in Ceduna in the Aboriginal community ‘Tia Tuckia’.
He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from working with State and National Governments, non-government organisations and private sectors. He has also held roles within several other Aboriginal health organisations including as Director of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia (AHCSA).
A dedicated community innovator and advocate for Indigenous rights, Leeroy is committed to amplifying First Nations voices and ensuring they have a seat at the table in decision-making processes.
He is keen to represent the diverse voices within his community and has a strong focus on youth empowerment.
Lorraine understands the importance of connection and communication with people from the grassroots level of community.
She is keen to hear what people have to say, listening with empathy and advocating on behalf of her community.
Raymond, a proud Aboriginal man from Point Pearce, is keen to work for all members of the Aboriginal community within the Yorke and Mid-North region.
He is passionate about listening to all views and perspectives and representing them at the Local Voice.
Kaylene is a proud Narungga woman who lived in Alice Springs for many years before returning to her home country.
Kaylene’s working life centred on supporting community and she is now an active volunteer in her community.
Kaylene believes in taking pride in community, living a good life and enjoying country.
