From the President’s Desk

Raymond Ingrey

The NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group is one of the strongest Aboriginal community controlled organisations due to our strong member base and vast community network across New South Wales.

I first became involved in the NSW AECG when I joined the Eastern Suburbs Local AECG in 2001 and quickly took up the role of Local President at the request and support of two active Life Members in Aunty Joyce Woodberry and Aunty Delma Davison.

In the same year I became an Aboriginal Education Assistant (AEA) at a local primary school and in 2004 I went on to become the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer in the Sydney Region.

I have served as Regional Representative and Regional Treasurer with Met East Region and in 2007 became the AECG Education Officer with Aboriginal Programs Unit. In 2008 I became the Executive Officer of the NSW AECG Secretariat and worked closely with Aboriginal communities and stakeholders at a local, regional, state and national level.

In 2013, I went back into the Department of Education and undertook a number of roles including Manager, Languages and Communities with the Aboriginal Education and Community Engagement Directorate. I resigned from the Department in 2017 and worked directly in my community, the La Perouse Aboriginal Community, as Chairperson of Eastern Zone Gujaga Aboriginal Corporation, Chairperson of the La Perouse Aboriginal Community Alliance and Chairperson of the Gujaga Foundation.

During 2017 - 2021 I assisted in the delivery of the NSW AECG’s Aboriginal Cultural Professional Development program to the Department of Education and Department of Communities and Justice.

At our last State Annual General Meeting, I was elected to the role of President. My decision to run for election was one that I didn’t take lightly and I am honoured to have been endorsed for the role by our membership.

I look forward to working with Local and Regional AECG’s to ensure our children and young people can achieve their potential during their education journey.