Western Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Council

Home Membership Current members biography

Current members biography

Isabella Adams Perth

Stephen Albert (Baamba) Broome

Leslie-Ann Conway Kalgoorlie

Simon Forrest Geraldton

Ken Houghton Perth Metropolitan South

Maureen Kelly Hedland Pilbara Region

Erica McGuire Narrogin Wheatbelt Region

Cecilia Narkle Bunbury

Cindy Solonec Perth

Ian Trust Kununurra Kimberley East Region

ISABELLA ADAMS
PERTH

Isabella is the Director of her own consultancy business – Visions Networks P/L – Ms Adams has extensive experience as an advisor in Aboriginal education at both the state and national levels. Isabella is a qualified teacher and trainer. She was a former District Superintendent with responsibility for many schools in a Perth metropolitan region. Ms Adams has a Masters of Education through Murdoch University among many other qualifications. Isabella’s extensive background in education and training, particularly in Early Childhood and her connections to community is an asset to the Council.

STEPHEN ALBERT (BAAMBA)
BROOME

Stephen is an actor, singer and community educator with very strong community connections and a lifetime advocate for Aboriginal Affairs. Mr Albert has a long standing in the national Aboriginal community for his unwavering stance for improved outcomes for his people. He was the inaugural Chair of the former National Aboriginal Education Committee. He has consistently performed as either Chairperson or member of various community, state and national boards, committees and working groups. Stephen is currently involved with students at risk in Broome, and brings to the Council his extensive experience on national and state education committees.

LESLIE-ANN CONWAY
KALGOORLIE

Leslie-Ann is the Executive Manager of the Ngunytju Tjitji Pirni Aboriginal Corporation in Kalgoorlie. Ms Conway has an array of experience including management, board governance and public speaking. Before joining Ngunytju Tjitji Pirni Aboriginal Corporation, Ms Conway’s employment history includes Regional Officer of Department Indigenous Affairs, an ATSIC Commissioner for the Kalgoorlie region and an Aboriginal & Islander Education Officer in government schools. Leslie-Ann is currently enrolled at Curtin University and brings research experience to the Council. Leslie-Ann has strong links with the Aboriginal community across the Goldfields.

SIMON FORREST
GERALDTON

Simon is the Manager Aboriginal Education for the Midwest District Education Office and was the former executive officer for the WAAETC. Mr Forrest is a qualified teacher and lectures at Geraldton Universities Centre. He has been an active member of various boards, Committees, Corporations and Working Groups. He has a MA, Education through the University of Western Australia and a Diploma in Business Administration (TAFE). Simon has extensive knowledge and strong connections with communities across the Mid-West region.

KEN HOUGHTON
METROPOLITAN SOUTH REGION

Hi, I’m Ken Houghton, I am a Yindjibarndi from the Pilbara and was born in Port Hedland in 1953. My parents were Clare Houghton (nee Coffin born on Roy Hill Station between Nullagine & Newman) and Len Houghton (from Surrey England) and they were married in Marble Bar in 1941. I was one of eight children born in Marble Bar and Port Hedland.

I went to school in Port Hedland and completed year 10 in 1968. In 1970 I joined the Commonwealth Bank in Port Hedland and went on to work in many of their branches throughout WA in my 12 year career.

In late 1981, I commenced work with the (former) Aboriginal Development Commission (ADC) in the Pilbara, promoting and supporting Aboriginal Self Management and Self determination initiatives. I stayed there until the end of 1985. Whilst in Port Hedland, my two son's, Tristan and Miles, were born and I obtained my Unrestricted Private Pilot's licence.

In 1986, I started work for the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Electoral Information Service (ATSIEIS) working throughout the Goldfields, South West and Metropolitan areas. In 1988, I travelled to the US for the Presidential Elections, study Tribal Government and various Treaties and also visited Canada and New Zealand to see how Indigenous people engaged in the democratic systems of these countries.

In 1991 I completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (BSc) at Curtin University specialising in Aboriginal Community Development and was awarded a place on the Vice Chancellors List for my outstanding academic achievements.

In 1997, I joined the Department of Health and Ageing working in their Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) in Perth. While working for OATSIH, I have worked in the East Kimberley, Wiluna, Ngaanyatjarra Lands and currently cover the Pilbara supporting Aboriginal Medical Service's (AMS's) and Substance Use Projects.

MAUREEN KELLY
PILBARA REGION

Hi my name is Maureen Kelly and I represent the Pilbara Region. I currently reside in Port Hedland with my husband and my family.

I have been involved with Aboriginal Education in the Pilbara for over 30 years and continue to do so to close the gap in the unmet identified needs of education, training and employment for my people.

I have been rewarded in many ways throughout my life journey, such as life membership of Bloodwood Tree Association and the Pipunya group in Marble Bar. I am a current Executive Member of the Pundulmurra Indigenous Education Council (PIETMC), and have been Chairperson of the Rose Nowers Aboriginal Childcare Centre. I have a great passion for my work and continue to promote and encourage Aboriginal youth to pursue their education, and that is why I am passionate and proud to be a member of the Aboriginal Education and Training Council.

ERICA MCGUIRE
WHEATBELT REGION

Hi my name is Erica McGuire. I was born in Pingelly. My families are Jackson, Hayden, Ninyette, McGuire and Bennell from the Whajuk, Wilmen and Balardong people. My father is George McGuire from Brookton. My mother is Glennis McGuire (nee Ninyette) from Narrogin. I grew up at Brookton and attended Brookton Junior High School and Governor Stirling Senior High for my schooling years.

I got involved in education because it is the key to our future. I have, and always will, value education, children and success which have assisted in developing my passion for Aboriginal education. In the past 20 years I have worked with children and communities in and around the Wheatbelt area. During this time I recognised the importance and significance of community involvement in education and training for our people. I have experienced success in specific areas of community involvement with a number of Aboriginal people. I have also supported schools and carers in mediation processes to assist in positive relationship maintenance.

I was employed as the Coordinator Aboriginal Education for the Narrogin District Education Office in 2001. In 2005 I won the position Manager Aboriginal Education by merit selection. My work involves providing leadership in Aboriginal Education to 29 schools and communities within the Narrogin Education District.

I have persevered with the ongoing challenges as an Aboriginal and a professional in empowering colleagues, students and communities to realise their potential to make a difference in the learning, professional and social environments that is appropriate for all people of today. I am committed to working together, reconciliation and respecting all people.

My family is an important part of my life. My parents’ influence and inspiration has been always recognised in my achievements and acknowledgements. I am a very proud grandmother of Montahna Glennis who is 17 months old and Taylahni Joy who is 7 months old.

CECILIA NARKLE
BUNBURY

Ms Narkle is employed as a field officer and mentor for the Aboriginal School Based Traineeship through The Apprentice & Traineeship Company. In her position, Cecilia is required to work with Aboriginal students, their parents and training providers. Her experience includes Health and Suicide Prevention workshops with communities, employment co-ordinator for the private sector and Aboriginal & Islander Education Officer in government schools. Her vast experience in education, training and health, along with her strong community links is valued and adds to the diverse perspectives and experiences of Council members. Through her job, Ms Narkle is able to work and liaise with communities across the South West.

CINDY SOLONEC
PERTH

Mrs. Solonec is a qualified University lecturer and has experience in management and the development of programs. Cindy also has experience as a researcher and has held various administration and management positions in both the private and community sector. She is a member of a number of Boards, Committees and Groups. Her experience in higher education and her extensive professional and community networks demonstrates her very strong connection to the WA community. Mrs. Solonec qualifications include degrees in Masters and Bachelors, Aboriginal & Intercultural Studies through Edith Cowan University.

IAN TRUST
KIMBERLEY EAST REGION

I firmly believe that education and training which leads to employment, is the key to changing the social and economic status of our people. Over the last 30 years I have strived to achieve this outcome in the various positions I have held both in government and with Aboriginal organizations. Eleven of those years I spent as Chair of the ATSIC Wunan Regional Council in the East Kimberley and in the latter years as Zone Commissioner for the Kimberley.

We must impress upon our people from the day our children are born that to do well at school does not necessarily mean that they will succeed in life, but it does drastically increase their options and the opportunities which will be available to them later on.

Without education and training, our people will remain marginalized from the mainstream economy and will forever be dependant upon government for our survival. As the first Australians, we are entitled to take our place in the wider community with dignity and respect and we must embrace education and training in order for us to determine our own future and not leave it in the hands of others.