2025 Aboriginal Staff Forum

Kyam Maher is South Australia’s first Aboriginal Attorney-General. He has held the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio since 2015, both in Government and in Opposition. As Aboriginal Affairs Minister in the Weatherill Government, he guided important reforms such as being the first state in Australia to commence Treaty negotiations with Aboriginal Nations and implementing a Stolen Generations reparations scheme.

Appointed on 1 July 2014, Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri works passionately towards creating a world-leading public sector that serves South Australians well, does what it says it will do, and to which every public servant is proud to belong.

With the role of the public sector being to serve and support South Australia to thrive, Erma leads sector-wide reform to modernise the public sector and continue to build on its value and service to the South Australian community.

Erma has worked for more than 30 years to help organisations optimise productivity and employee wellbeing. She was named a 2014 Telstra Business Woman of the Year as SA Winner of the Telstra Community and Government Award for her role in leading transformational change throughout the public sector.

With a key focus on flexibility, diversity and leadership development to ensure the public sector is positioned as an Employer of Choice, Erma continues to challenge cultural and structural barriers to drive innovative, collaborative and connected services for the community.

Stan Grant is a renowned journalist, author, moral philosopher, thinker, film maker and communicator. He has had a groundbreaking four-decade career as one of Australia’s most awarded journalists. A Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi and Dharrawal man, Stan has blazed a trail for First Nations journalists. In a career of firsts, he was the first Indigenous Political Correspondent, the first Indigenous Foreign Correspondent, and the first Indigenous person to present a prime-time commercial television news and current affairs program.

Kimberley Wanganeen is a proud Narrunga, Kaurna and Kokatha woman. She was born and raised on Boandik Country and has been living and working on Kaurna Country since 2006. Kimberley’s career spanned across SA Government departments, non-Government organisations and non-profits, holding leadership roles and guiding and influencing cultural practice and cultural safety. In 2022, Kimberley founded Kimberley Wanganeen Consultancy to share her learnings and expertise with a broad range of organisations.

Marius Liddle is an Arrernte man and Director of MTL Consulting Services, a 100% Aboriginal-owned consultancy focused on strengthening Aboriginal voice in policy, programs, and workforce strategy. With over 15 years’ experience in government and community settings, Marius brings cultural insight and systems knowledge to his work and is committed to supporting Aboriginal people to shape decisions that impact their lives. Marius holds an MBA from the University of Adelaide and works across government, community, and business to support meaningful change.

Nerida Saunders (Murri) was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2016 for her outstanding public service in the provision of leadership and advocacy in Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. Her previous positions have included Director of Culture and Heritage in the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division, General Manager of the Aboriginal Housing Authority and Executive Director of Children Youth and Family Services within the Department of Families and Communities. Nerida has a long involvement with social justice issues and was previously a member of the Aboriginal Justice Consultative Committee.

The Aboriginal Women’s Business Clinic is transforming health outcomes for Aboriginal women in Adelaide’s west. The clinic connected more than 30 women to services and a support network offering culturally responsive, accessible gynaecological care. The clinic’s timely interventions have led to early cancer detection, saving lives and re-engaging women who had previously been lost to care