GOVERNANCE
Community Governance Statement
Empowering Our Communities Through Leadership, Culture, and Accountability
At First Nation Services, our commitment to community governance is not just a principle — it is the foundation of who we are and how we operate.
We believe that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have the knowledge, strength, and cultural authority to lead the way in shaping the services that affect their lives. Our governance model reflects this by ensuring our organisation is community-led, culturally grounded, and driven by accountability, transparency, and trust.
Our Commitment to Community Governance
Our approach to governance integrates both professional operational standards and Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. We have created a structure that empowers community voices and embeds them in our leadership and decision-making processes.
We are guided by the following core commitments:
- Cultural Authority: We prioritise the role of Elders, cultural leaders, and community representatives in shaping our programs and strategic direction. Their guidance ensures that our services are culturally safe, appropriate, and meaningful.
- Accountability to Community: We remain accountable to the communities we serve by actively involving them in planning, review, and evaluation processes. We are committed to ongoing consultation and transparent communication.
- Participation and Representation: We strive for inclusive representation across gender, age, and geographic regions, including the voices of youth, carers, and those with lived experience.
- Leadership by First Nations People: Our executive and governance structures are led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with the lived experience, cultural knowledge, and leadership skills to direct our organisation’s growth and impact.
Why Community Governance Matters
Community governance strengthens the effectiveness of our programs, ensures cultural legitimacy, and fosters greater trust between our organisation and the people we serve. It empowers communities to take ownership of solutions and outcomes and ensures our services are not just for community — but by community.
Through strong governance, we can deliver services that are:
- Culturally Safe and Responsive
- Evidence-Based and Community-Informed
- Accountable and Transparent
- Ethically Grounded and Rights-Focused
Community Advisory Group
Guided by Community. Grounded in Culture. Driven by Purpose.
At First Nation Services, we believe that real change starts with listening to the people we serve. That’s why we’ve created a Community Advisory Group (CAG) — a dedicated space where community voices help shape the direction of our services, programs, and long-term vision.
What is the Community Advisory Group?
Our Community Advisory Group is a voluntary body of respected community members, Elders, service users, and local leaders who provide cultural guidance, lived experience insight, and strategic advice to our Board of Directors.
The CAG does not hold legal governance authority, but it plays a critical role in ensuring our decisions remain grounded in the values, priorities, and lived realities of our First Nations communities.
Our Mission for the CAG:
- To embed cultural legitimacy into all levels of our organisation
- To build a two-way accountability system between the community and our leadership
- To ensure that our services reflect the needs, values, and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Key Functions of the CAG:
- Provide regular input into strategic planning, service delivery models, and community engagement
- Offer cultural oversight and support culturally safe practice across all programs
- Identify emerging community needs, challenges, and opportunities
- Promote transparency and ensure the organisation remains connected to grassroots voices
- Report quarterly to the First Nations Care Board of Directors
Who Can Join?
We are inviting passionate individuals with strong community ties and cultural knowledge to express interest in joining the CAG. This includes:
- Elders and cultural leaders
- Youth representatives
- Parents or carers with lived experience in child protection or NDIS
- Professionals or advocates with a commitment to Indigenous wellbeing
- Members from regional and remote communities
No formal qualifications are required — just a commitment to walking with us on this journey of healing, empowerment, and change.
Why Join the CAG?
As a member, you’ll have a meaningful impact on shaping services that directly affect our people. You’ll be part of a respected group that advises leadership and ensures First Nations voices remain front and centre in everything we do.
How to Apply
If you’re interested in joining the Community Advisory Group, please complete the Expression of Interest form below or reach out to our team.
Our Board of Directors
Our Mission
Leading with Integrity. Guided by Community.
At First Nation Services, our Board of Directors is a central pillar in our community governance framework. The Board holds legal and fiduciary responsibility for the organisation, overseeing strategic direction, financial management, compliance, and performance. However, unlike traditional corporate structures, our Board operates within a model that is deeply informed by community values, cultural protocols, and the lived realities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Role of the Board
The Board of Directors is responsible for:
- Providing strategic leadership and oversight
- Ensuring legal and financial compliance
- Upholding the mission, vision, and values of First Nations Care
- Approving and reviewing operational plans, policies, and budgets
- Ensuring accountability to community, government, and funding bodies
- Championing a culture of ethical practice and cultural safety
Community-Driven, Professionally Guided
Our Board includes experienced professionals with expertise in areas such as child protection, NDIS, Indigenous health, governance, business development, and law. Importantly, we prioritise the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Directors who bring cultural knowledge, lived experience, and strong community ties to the table.
The Board maintains a direct relationship with our Community Advisory Group (CAG), receiving quarterly reports and feedback that inform Board discussions and decisions. This ensures that our leadership is both informed by expert knowledge and grounded in community voice.
Accountability and Transparency
Board members operate under a robust governance framework, which includes:
- Regular performance reviews and reporting
- Conflict of interest declarations
- Alignment with cultural protocols and community priorities
- Ongoing professional and cultural development
- Adherence to a performance-based shareholder structure (where applicable)
This structure ensures that all Directors are actively contributing to the mission of First Nations Care — not only as stewards of the organisation, but as accountable leaders who represent the aspirations of our people.
Collaborative Decision-Making
Decisions are made collectively, with an emphasis on consensus and transparency. In the event of tied votes, the Managing Director holds a casting vote to maintain operational stability. This structure ensures strong leadership while protecting the interests of the founding members and community.
Our Governance Model in Action
- The Community Advisory Group informs and advises
- The Board of Directors governs and leads
- The Executive Team delivers and implements
Together, they form a culturally responsive and community-driven governance system that ensures First Nations Care remains a leader in delivering safe, effective, and empowering services.