Colleen is a strong Aboriginal woman from the Birrigubba Nation, and a proud descendant of the Biri and Jangga people through her mother and Juru and Ugar people in the Torres Strait through her father.
Colleen has over 10 years’ experience in the Foster and Kinship Care space working within the Non-Government Sector. Prior to this, working within QLD Government across different areas, as a Human Resource Officer with the Department of Child Safety, Project Officer with Emergency Services, Vocational Education & Training and the Tertiary Sector.
The cultural authority that’s been passed down to Colleen from her ancestors, in particular her mother and father has guided Colleen’s journey keeping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people in the care system, strongly connected to their culture and family.
Working as a Project Officer in the Workforce Development Team with QATSICPP has given Colleen the opportunity to work in a dynamic team who are passionate about self-determination and empowerment for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people. Colleen is inspired to advocate and actively work towards reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection sector with a positive outcome of families caring for families.