SNAICC Newsletter

Nov. 2008 25th SNAICC AGM – Steven Larkins was elected as the new SNAICC Chair, replacing Muriel Bamblett who stood down after ten years at the helm. Stephen (or Steve) has a wealth of experience working with Aboriginal children and youth. He’s done, and continues to do, both the hard yards on the ground and been a driver in complex policy initiatives. Steve tells his story here.

Steve is a proud Worimi man from the Great Lakes region of NSW. He has been the General Manager of the Hunter Aboriginal Children’s Services NSW since 2000. Under his leadership, HACS has grown from strength to strength.

Steve started at Newcastle University in 1986 in a Bachelor of Teaching (Maths) and then moved to the University of Western Sydney’s Aboriginal Rural Education Program. He then worked for the Newcastle Education Department under the Priority Schools Program teaching Aboriginal dance, stories and art to primary and early secondary children and Year 11 and 12 Aboriginal Studies.

Rural Education Program funding cuts meant Steve moved into welfare, working as senior youth worker at the Newcastle Worimi Detention Centre then house parent at St. John of God Kendall Grange – a boarding school for children with severe behavioural problems.

Said Steve: “As SNAICC Chairperson I want to ensure that governments and others don’t just ask for SNAICC’s opinion’s about early childhood or child welfare because it is politically correct to do so, but because they want our advice. SNAICC is in a fantastic position to speak up for Aboriginal Australia as we have a strong National Executive representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities from across Australia.

‘My plan is to ensure all of SNAICC’s National Executive members are heard and that National Executive listens to those we represent.’

Some favorite things

Food: Bangers and mash Music: Anything 70’s/80’s. Activity: Playing computer games Movie: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings TV: West Wing, Boston Legal, Two-And-A- Half Men Th inking place: A riverbank from childhood memories.

Some things SNAICC Executive members said about Steve are...

‘Steve is a gentle, caring man who has worked for many years in the area of out of home care for young Aboriginal people. Steve is a natural leader and his commitment to his role as SNAICC Chairperson has already gained the trust and respect of the other executive members. Steve has a quiet and well-mannered disposition with wonderful people skills and the ability to make each of us feel part of the team and encourage us to take part in discussions and voice our opinions ‘I have just discovered his keen love of technology and gadgets, including his mobile phone and computer games. He also loves to wear hats and looked pretty good in one recently on his way to Alice Springs. I look forward to working with and alongside Steve as we take the SNAICC Executive into the future.’

Debbie Bond, ARMSU Supervisor, Network SA Resource, Advisory & Management Services Inc.

‘Steve brings to the Chairperson's position another style of leadership. Taking over from Muriel Bamblett was always going to be diffcult, but Steve has decided to lead SNAICC, embracing the whole wealth of knowledge available to him.’

Garry Mathews, SNAICC Deputy Chair EO Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Family Community Care Centre