The Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation is governed by a Board of Directors comprising of six members. Directors are elected by the Kabi Kabi membership in accordance with the terms of our Rule Book. All Directors roles are voluntary and we do not receive sitting fees for board meetings.
Norman Bond was born at Cherbourg, raised by both his parents and was fortunate to know his grandmother and great grandmother, whom were proud Kabi Kabi women both having played a pivotal role in him understanding his cultural identity and his connection to Kabi Kabi country.
Norman has been an applicant for the Kabi Kabi First Nation Claim since 2016 and currently is appointed as Chairperson of the Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation (KKPAC) and nominated Coordinator of Cultural Heritage.
A commitment Norman is seeking to achieve is to improve the structural deficiencies with KKPAC and build a sense of community that people can trust. With these commitments, KKPAC can forge stronger relationships. A further goal of Norman’s is to grow existing opportunities for Kabi Kabi people, where it is hoped that more Kabi Kabi people live and work on country, which is a great aspiration since Norman was elected to serve the claim group.
Some of Norman’s achievements to date were to establish the KKPAC, which resulted in creating employment opportunities through land management opportunities. The status of achievement for KKPAC is more significant due to the corporation receiving no financial support to date from any existing Kabi Kabi entities.
Brian previously worked for the Federal Government – for Centrelink where he won an Outstanding Public Service to the Community award. He also worked for the Australian Tax Office where he helped develop a successful Indigenous recruitment program called Evergreen. Brian’s former training is in intelligence, working as an Intelligence Officer for many years.
What inspires Brian is the means by which Federal, State and Local Government Agencies could build economic sustainability outcomes through social impact business development that supports Kabi Kabi interests.
Brian is leading the development of Kabi Kabi Indigenous Tourism. The Great Cooloola Walk is set to announce itself on the international Tourism platform. Sharing cultural knowledge whilst emerged in the stunning surrounds of Cooloola Recreation Area of the Great Sandy National Park is set to be remarkable.
In his spare time Brian is a master wordsmith with a creative flare for Poetry and Prose. His greatest love is oral storytelling where he can share with everyone, an insight into the cultural connection to country of the Kabi Kabi people and culture.
Melissa Bond is a Kabi Kabi Elder, Native Title Applicant, Executive Director of Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation and Director of Kabi Kabi Peoples Enterprise Pty Ltd. Melissa born in Cherbourg Aboriginal Community, has a passion to see her community grow. Melissa is a brilliant Cultural artist whom specialises in a unique cultural product through pottery. Also, Melissa paints with artistic flair and talent to narrate a vibrant cultural message on canvas.
Melissa has experience in detailed mapping, development of Art product design specifications, and a suite of management expertise. Melissa assists in facilitating numerous outcomes for the Kabi Kabi from environmental cultural heritage management, cultural tourism, Ranger development, cultural revitalisation such as traditional fire stick burning techniques and Caring for Country.
I was born in Cherbourg Aboriginal community.
My father and my elders used to always tell me stories about Kabi Kabi. Then one day I ended up moving to the Sunshine Coast in 1999. Back then I had worked at Nungeena Aboriginal Women’s Corporation, for women’s Business, where I had learnt a lot. We had a lot of visitors there some where from America and some from the Alice Springs Aboriginal community. What I would like is to see more Kabi Kabi People living back on country. I currently work with a range of of Indigenous and non Indigenous consultants, many whom are leaders in their individual fields. My access to this pool of expertise allows for the development of a diverse range of outcomes for the Kabi Kabi to protect, promote and access areas that allows the Kabi Kabi to have a healthy country. When artefacts are found by the younger generation it makes me proud when I see the joy it brings them.
Uncle Michael Douglas is a Kabi Kabi Elder who takes great pride in representing the Kabi Kabi Peoples as a Native Title Applicant. Uncle Mick is also a Senior Police Liaison Officer with the Qld Police who has been recognised and awarded with many accolades and achievements through a long-distinguished career in the service.
Uncle Mick shares his passion for his many roles through community initiatives by raising awareness and concerns about:
Uncle Mick is actively involved and is supportive in creating as many Kabi Kabi initiatives as possible from micro businesses ownership, cultural tours, cultural assessments, cultural preservation, and revitalisation and educational projects. Uncle Mick’s major strength is maintaining strong ties in promoting Kabi Kabi through wider community educational activities.
Coming soon.
Kerry Jones is a Kabi Kabi man, born and bred on the Sunshine Coast. He has been an applicant for Kabi Kabi First Nation since 2016, and is a Director of his family organisation, Bunya Bunya Country Aboriginal Corporation. Over the years, Kerry has worked with catchment care groups such as Maroochy Waterwatch And the Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group. Kerry has presented at various Environmental and Archaeological forums. Kerry’s greatest value is to lead in reintroducing traditional fire management practices into the landscape, with the importance of working with willing partners and stakeholders for the Kabi Kabi to be leaders in such innovative work practices.
© 2024 Kabi Kabi People's Aboriginal Corporation.
