Board Members
The ALC is a not-for-profit entity that was established under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act, 1976 (ALRA), which reports to the Australian Minister for Indigenous Australians and is an Australian Government Statutory Authority with responsibilities under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act, 2013 (PGPA).
The ALC was created to carry out the functions specified to it by the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act, 1976 (ALRA). The ALC is one of four land councils in the Northern Territory, and its primary function is to advocate for the interests of the Anindilyakwa people and assist them to acquire and manage traditional lands and seas.
The ALC Board provides strategic vision and oversight of the ALC, and the Chair and Deputy Chair are held accountant for their performance by the Board. The Board provides regular feedback to the Chair, Deputy Chair and CEO in respect to their duties and performance. The CEO and Chair are the only two members of the Accountable Authority.
The Board comprises of clan representatives from the 14 indigenous clans within the ALC jurisdiction and one community representative each from the communities of Angurugu, Umbakumba, and Milyakburra. Currently, the majority of Board members are women.
Board Members are formally elected under the supervision of the Australian Electoral Commission every three years and the current board was elected in September 2024.
The ALC elected members are listed below.
Chair of the ALC: Cherelle Wurrawilya
Cherelle Wurrawilya is a prominent leader within the Anindilyakwa community and was elected the Chair of the ALC on the 28th of May 2024.
Cherelle has served as a member of the ALC Board since 2019, including as a member of the ALC’s Audit and Finance Committees, and has devoted herself to the Anindilyakwa community through numerous roles including Chair of the Anindilyakwa Housing Aboriginal Corporation, as a director of Aboriginal Housing NT, and through her work as a Community Housing Officer on Groote Eylandt for many years.
Cherelle is proud to be the first women Chair of the Anindilyakwa Land Council and looks forward to leading the important work that the ALC does for the Anindilyakwa people in reclaiming self-determination and setting up the Traditional Owners for a bright and sustainable future.
