Aden Ridgeway

"Reconciliation requires a willingness to share the country’s abundant resources and political power and the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who walk the Reconciliation talk every day are my inspiration."

Aden Ridgeway is a Gumbaynggir man from Northern NSW. He spoke his Grandmother's language in his first speech to Parliament. Introducing himself he stated, "I come to this place as a Gumbaynggir Goori and also as a 'reconciliationist'. Aden is a strong supporter of the people's movement for reconciliation and the community groups and individuals who live reconciliation every day.

Aden has provided national political leadership on Reconciliation. Serving as only the second ever Indigenous Member of Parliament, Aden was the Deputy Leader of the Australian Democrats as well as being involved in a number of bodies in both the public and private sector, television and the arts; all of which revolve around Reconciliation and Indigenous Affairs.

Aden is currently Executive Chairman of Indigenous Tourism Australia, and Adjunct Professor, UTS, Sydney. He also holds the positions of Chairman, Bangarra Dance Theatre, and Chairman, NSW Reparations Repayments Scheme Panel. Aden is also the prime time presenter of ABC’s “Message stick” Program, and he currently works as a consultant to various organizations, including the NSWALC, Chase Property Investments and Maari Ma Aboriginal Health Corporation.

Linda Burney

“The imperative of reconciliation is absolutely upon us”. 

Linda Burney is of Wiradjuri decent and is the first Indigenous woman to be elected to the NSW Parliament. She is currently the Minister for Community Services and Member for Canterbury.

Linda began her career as a teacher and soon after became involved in the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group. There she participated in the development and implementation of the first Aboriginal education policy in Australia. Linda has been the elected National Vice President of the Australian Labor Party, a member of the National Council for Reconciliation, a Board member of SBS Television and Radio and the former Director-General of the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

In 2003 she became the Member for Canterbury and has held a number of portfolio’s including Fair Trading, Youth, Volunteering, and Community Services. While being responsible for a number of different issues as Minister, Linda remains ardent about the need to build better relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Linda was the founding Chair of the NSW State Reconciliation Committee, the previous incarnation of the New South Wales Reconciliation Council.  The Committee hosted and co-hosted a number of highly successful state events, such as The Reconciliation Roadshow, Talkin’ Up Reconciliation, Yarn Up and Corroboree 2000.  During this time she was heavily involved in the famous 'Peoples’ Walk for Reconciliation' in 2000, in which almost half a million Australians walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to demonstrate their support for a reconciled Australia. 

Colin Markham

Col was the Member for Wollongong and Parliamentary Secretary for Aboriginal Affairs. He has been a passionate supporter of the Reconciliation movement for a number of years and is particularly active around the South Coast and Illawarra region.

Col was a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). He joined in1975; and held positions at Branch, State Electoral Council and Federal Electoral Council levels. Previously he has been: Member Local Government Administration Committee; Industrial Development and Energy Committee. He has also been campaign director for various Federal, State and Local Government elections.

In the Community Col has been the Executive Member and Deputy Chairperson, New South Wales Reconciliation Council. Director, Illawarra Steelers Board and Gold Foundation Member of the Illawarra Steelers. Former Chairman Illawarra Steeler's Injured Player Fund. Former Member Illawarra Regional Economic Development Organisation. Member Wollongong Technical and Further Education Students Union. No. 1 Badge Holder Wollongong University Rugby League Football Club. Past Chairman Illawarra Support Group. Patron to: Illawarra Branch of the Melanoma Foundation; Russell Vale Soccer Club; Wollongong Horticultural Society; Wollongong Eisteddfod Society; Makedonija Soccer Club; New South Wales Womens Soccer; Corrimal Ranger Soccer Club; District Rugby League Council; Dante Aligheri Society; Southern Flame Athletics Club.

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