Ms Diane Collins is a Galari woman of the Wiradjuri nation, living in Canberra for over 30 years.
Ms Collins has extensive experience within the areas of community development, human resources, and cultural responsiveness. She has worked for the Australian and ACT Governments. Highlights include her 2012 role as Australian Government representative to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
Ms Collins' career in the public service has been complemented by extensive work in the ACT communities over the years.
Ms Collins was Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and a member of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) from 2008 to 2016. Her contributions included: facilitating discussions and yarning circles for women to inform ATSIEB business; leadership of the development, with Gugan Gulwan, an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, of cultural protocols for use by government and the ACT community; and including leadership of recognition of cultural rights through amendments to the Human Rights Act 2004. Ms Collins was also a member from 2018-2022 of the ACT Human Rights Commission Reference Group which developed and guided implementation of a cultural safety protocol.
Ms Collins is an inaugural Chairperson and member of the Canberra Health Services Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consumer Reference Group.
Ms Collins has also contributed to the ACT NAIDOC Committee including coordinating events, securing sponsorship, and leading the NAIDOC family day launch and NAIDOC Ball Awards night celebrations.
Ms Collins is an active contributor to the community, leading many events including in support of reconciliation and sport. In 2023 Canberra Health Services Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consumer Reference Group were the recipient of the ACT NAIDOC Non-Indigenous Contribution Award, a testament to the work of the membership.
Ms Collins was a Founding member since 2017 and Director of Sisters in Spirit Aboriginal Corporation. The organisation represents and advocates for the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the ACT and surrounds. Initiatives Ms Collins has led include leading a wills clinic and collaborating on a project to understand the experience of unpaid carers.
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