HEAPS International Foundation (Australia) LTD

Has charitable status registered with the Australian Charities and Not For Profit Commission (ACNC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), with Australian Taxation endorsement as a Deductible Gift Recipient. The goodwill of the Charity is to raise money, seek funds and provide resources to help the poor living in Papua New Guinea. Donations over $2 are tax-deductible.

Our competent Board members are a group of appointed people nominated for the overarching purpose of fulfilling the purpose of the Charity, and to promote the success of this. Since 2012 HEAPS (Australia) has matured into a small Charity which has gained public trust through acting justly, transparently and responsively.

GOODWILL AMBASSADORS

HON KEN WYATT – The 1st Aboriginal Minister for Indigenous Australians. He is the Liberal Member for Hasluck in Western Australia and is the 3rd Indigenous Australian ever elected to the Parliament. In 1996 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to Aboriginal Health and in 2001 received the Centenary Medal. As an Aboriginal MP, Ken has accepted the appointment as Chairman of the committee to deliver a referendum to change the Australian Constitution to recognise Indigenous Australians.

Brandon Waters
BRANDON WALTERS – a young Indigenous actor, well known for his performance as Nullah in the film Australia with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. He stars with Kayne Tremills in Bushwhacked! and won a Satellite Award for New Talent with nominations for Best Young Actor at the Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards and Most Promising Performer at the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards.

World Indigenous children should be able to follow their dreams. To have their basic needs and rights met, to eat good food, drink fresh water, receive an education and good health care. Along with nurturing and protection from discrimination and to be physically, mentally and emotionally free from abuse.

PROFESSOR DAVID KAVANAMUR – Senior Director responsible for knowledge, analytic and learning. Pacific Governance Facility. David has published extensively in the area of development and in 2010 lead the task force that developed the national strategic plan — PNG Vision 2050. He was the Foundation Professor of Management in the School of Business Administration at the University of Papua New Guinea and the chair of the Oceania Development Network. Ph.D, University of Western Sydney, 2004; M.Phil. (Development Studies), University of Sussex, 1994; B.A. (Hons), University of Papua New Guinea, 1990.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

SUSAN LAIRD MPH – Founder of HEAPS (AUSTRALIA) Ltd and Co-founder of HEAPS Inc PNG. She has a Masters Degree in Public Health from James Cook University Qld.  Working as an Indigenous Health Consultant for 18 years.   For 21 years she was employed with the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service and was the Founder/Producer of HEATworks their Health Promotion Unit, she has been on a number of Australian state and national working parties.

DR GILBERT HIAWALYER – Public Health Consultant currently doing work for WHO.  For 12 years he was the Assistant Representative United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). He has a Doctorate of Public Health from James Cook University.  Masters Degree in Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London United Kingdom. Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor Surgery University of Papua New Guinea.

LYNETTE MASUDA – WA Health Department. She has a Diploma of Management with more than 20 years of experience, working in the areas of administration, management and bookkeeping. Lynette has worked with both the Government sector and Non-Government Organisations. Her main interest is working with Indigenous-focused programs.

CHRIS MITCHELL Recently retired (March2020) from his position as the Executive Officer of Regional Development Australia – Kimberley for 13 years. He is a serving Shire Councillor (27 years) and current Chair of the Kimberley Zone of Councils. A Ministerial appointee to the Rural and Remote Education Advisory Council, and a member of the Broome District Health Advisory Council.  He is a State Councillor and a State representative on a number of Emergency Management committees. Currently a Director with BOAB Health.

Lucas
LUCAS KOU – has worked with HEAPS in Wewak, Papua New Guinea for 10 years.  Prior to this, he was the Founder and Manager of Baua Baua Theatre Company for 18 years, where he wrote health education scripts and directed these plays, touring and performing mainly in the remote areas of the East Sepik Province of PNG. He has won an Edinburgh Festival UK Award for his great talent in the Performing Arts.

FINANCE MANAGEMENT

SAMANTHA Mc CAUGH – CPA with more than 25 years experience gained across the not-for-profit sector, local government, commercial and state government agencies. Sam launched her accounting practice in 2010 in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and focuses on working with a not-for-profit client base in the region.

LEGAL ADVISOR

DR BRETT DAVIES – CTA, AIAMA, BJuris, LLB, Dip Ed, BArts(Hons), LLM, MBA, SJD – is an Adjunct Professor at The University of WA Law School, Adjunct Reader at the Curtin Business School and a practising lawyer at Legal Consolidated. Specialising in tax and pension systems, Dr Davies donates his time to PNG authorities for the improvement of the taxation system. Dr. Davies has a strong interest in volunteering having served on the Library Board of WA, Chair of the Art Gallery of WA Foundation, National Chair of the Law Council’s Law Management Group and Chair of the Graduate and Academic Standards Committee.