CRC TiME acknowledges Vanessa Elliott, a Jaru woman from the Kimberley region, who retired from the Board at our 1 December Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Vanessa has decided not to seek renomination.
Our Chair Dr Bruce Kelley recognised Vanessa for her honesty, leadership and vision.
“Vanessa has been a wise and courageous Director during her time with the CRC TiME Board.”
“Her leadership has been instrumental in helping steering the Board and the CRC along the First Nations Inclusion path.”
“Vanessa’s lived experience and sage advice has been essential to help us gain momentum on this important journey. Vanessa leaves a legacy that I am sure she will look back on positively.’
“On behalf of the Board, I extend our sincere thanks to Vanessa and wish her well and every success in her future endeavours, which will be many and varied. We would expect nothing less.”
In departing the Board, Vanessa said that when ‘we occupy and host courageous conversations and subject matters we are interested in, we should always do this from a place of mutual benefit and peace.”
“Thank you to those who helped make new tables of inclusion. Thank you for allies who do what is right even when time is not on your side.
Thank you to industry, government and the research community who have choose to host, and reassess the business table, to deep listen before you craft your scope, budget and schedule.”
“In return, I hope you receive the lifetime benefit of relationship. May time continue to be on your side as you co-design benefit sharing research possibilities.”
Vanessa’s full farewell message below.
CRC TiME welcomes Shirley McPherson, a Yamatji and Noongar woman from Perth and the Murchison regions, as our second First Nations College Director.
Shirley is a chartered accountant and has held senior positions in government, private sector and universities.
In welcoming Shirley, Bruce said Shirley’s deep experience and knowledge would be highly valued during our next phase.
“I am looking forward to working with Shirley in further delivering on our commitment to First Nations Inclusion and enabling beneficial outcomes through mine closure and post-mine transitions.
“Shirley brings deep experience, and her work with the mining industry negotiating land use agreements and roles in strategy and business leadership will be highly valued in the next stage of our organisation’s journey.”
A farewell message from Vanessa
I’m a purpose driven person grounded in my faith. For me belonging and connectivity is at the centre of First Nations values. It’s also the greatest value we bring to relationships and business.
Pride is a western concept, motivated by ego and something I never buy into and this confuses many.
In Australia we are seeing symbolic connection everywhere today, espousing reconciliation.
I believe the greatest measure of a society is how it treats the most vulnerable. For me that is how we care for country and community, by co-sesigning solutions with First Nations.
A wise man once said to me, tell me what’s important and I will add it to my mix because it’s just not time for direct inputs. A wiser man, the former CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia Mitch Hooke, said it’s time for inclusive capital.
Before those two men a very wise woman said your voice matters your perspective and diverse experiences matter.
That very wise woman is Christine Charles.
There is freedom and opportunity in every situation.
Thank you to those who invested time and opportunity with First Nations when it wasn’t popular to do so.
I’m all about agency, understanding and being responsive to Traditional Owner adversity, facilitating insights that explore overcoming trauma and shared equity.
I believe First Nations knowledge and culture from the land and stewardship of our kinship systems is our greatest offer to the conundrum of climate change and climate crisis. First Nations science is in great demand.
It’s truly time for First Nations to rise above the stain and trauma of colonial dispossession and poverty.
When we occupy and host courageous conversations and subject matters we are interested in, we should always choose to do this from a place mutual benefit and peace.
Thank you to those who helped us make new tables of inclusion. Thank you for allies to do what is right even when time is not on your side.
Thank you to industry, government and the research community who have choose to host, and reassess the business table, to deep listen before you craft your scope, budget and schedule.
In return, I hope you receive the life time benefit of relationship. May time continue to be on your side as you co-design benefit sharing research possibilities.
(ends)
