Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic

Maxine Sandra Walker

Nambucca Heads,Australia

Summary

Dynamic Aboriginal Health Manager with a proven track record at MNCLHD, excelling in program development and health performance monitoring. Expert in accreditation processes and partnership building, I successfully led initiatives that enhanced Aboriginal health services, demonstrating strong negotiation skills and strategic vision to achieve impactful outcomes.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Aboriginal Health Manager

MNCLHD
Coffs Clinical Network, Australia
08.2022 - Current
  • Company Overview: Coffs Clinical Network Aboriginal Health Manager, Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) / Coffs Clinical Network - Executive Member.
  • Ability to develop, monitor and reach predicted outcomes to strategic and business plans.
  • Highly developed and effective negotiation and delegation skills.
  • Key Lead in Aboriginal Health Services and Care for Accreditation – develop, implement and support the MNCLHD to embedding and performance outcomes for reporting on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, services and care – specific actions from the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
  • Maintaining a strong visible presence, proactive and established partnerships, and engagement with Executive and Senior management, Aboriginal health workforce, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (Aboriginal Medical Services), General Practitioners and service providers with the Mid North Coast Local Health District.
  • Line Management of staff, health services and care strategies, operations and initiatives and programs development and implement.
  • Lead a wide range of Aboriginal Health initiatives and projects that are aligned to support MNCLHD strategic direction in the Network (including Aboriginal health prevention in chronic and complex disease management, ear health and general health program across the range of age categories).
  • Operationally coordinate and monitor network initiatives ensuring key milestones, timelines and goals are achieved and that they are aligned where applicable to the district's, State, whole of government plans and the health needs and aspirations of the Aboriginal community.
  • Conceptualise and develop new business and Aboriginal health ideas and solutions in line with the District's and Network plans and strategy.
  • Effectively engage district staff and local management to facilitate district wide Aboriginal health improvement and performance measures in a competing and complex health service environment.
  • Coffs Clinical Network Aboriginal Health Manager, Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) / Coffs Clinical Network - Executive Member.

National Program Manager - Intermediary

SNAICC
10.2021 - 08.2022
  • Company Overview: The Voice for the Children
  • In vacating this position, I established strong agreements, local and regional partnerships and developed recommendations in governance structures and operational plans in Western Australia, New South Wales and commenced in Victoria.
  • Finalised completion of engagement and strategic recommendations outcomes reports with focus areas in early childhood and the establishment of early childhood sector initiatives and programs for local and regional Aboriginal Communities.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of a program of work that supports the quality, growth, and development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled early years services.
  • Work with the Director of the NSW intermediary service to support the establishment of an innovative backbone organisation that will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled early years services.
  • Establish a project plan for the effective development, implementation and evaluation of the intermediary project nationally.
  • Explore and develop in consultation with key project stakeholders a plan for the scaling of the pilot intermediary model to provide supports in an increasing number of locations.
  • Work to establish and support connections between state / territory-based intermediaries and SNAICC for national support and representation.
  • Lead SNAICC’s project to evaluate the pilot intermediary services and draw on pilot evaluation findings to inform development of intermediaries in additional locations.
  • Establish and maintain strong and ongoing relationships with key partners, stakeholders and SNAICC member services relevant to the project work.
  • Establish and maintain strong and ongoing relationships with participating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early years service leaders to ensure that all project activities reflect and support the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and control in service delivery.
  • Manage project timelines, resources, budgets and the quality and effective completion of all project deliverables.
  • Manage relationships with project funders, including philanthropists and government funders and complete project reporting to funders.
  • Actively engage with current and potential funders to seek opportunities to fund the establishment of intermediaries and to secure sustainable government funding for their ongoing operation.
  • Other duties as directed. Common duties shared with other SNAICC staff. Contribute to SNAICC internal planning processes including staff meetings, and review of SNAICC strategic and operational plans.
  • Assist in the evaluation of projects, activities and functions of SNAICC.
  • The Voice for the Children

Network Aboriginal Health Manager

MNCLHD
Coffs Clinical Network, Australia
09.2018 - 11.2021
  • Company Overview: Coffs Clinical Network (CCN) Network Aboriginal Health Manager, Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD), Executive Member for Network.
  • Ability to develop, monitor and reach predicted outcomes to strategic and business plans.
  • Highly developed and effective negotiation and delegation skills.
  • Accreditation- support the network to embed and achieve the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – specific actions from the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
  • Maintaining a strong visible presence, proactive and consistent engagement with senior managers, Aboriginal health worker workforce and the Aboriginal community across the Network.
  • Line Management of staff and programs.
  • Lead a wide range of Aboriginal Health initiatives and projects that are aligned to support MNCLHD strategic direction in the Network (for example Ear Health Program).
  • Operationally coordinate and monitor network initiatives ensuring key milestones, timelines and goals are achieved and that they are aligned where applicable to the district's, State, whole of government plans and the health needs and aspirations of the Aboriginal community.
  • Conceptualise and develop new business and Aboriginal health ideas and solutions in line with the District's and Network plans and strategy.
  • Effectively engage district staff and local management to facilitate district wide Aboriginal health improvement and performance measures in a competing and complex health service environment.
  • Coffs Clinical Network (CCN) Network Aboriginal Health Manager, Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD), Executive Member for Network.

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Program Officer, Aboriginal Health Worker

NSW Health
, Australia
01.2018 - 09.2018
  • Company Overview: Mid North Coast Region
  • Providing evidenced based education, training and community development utilising a ‘whole of community’ approach to the CCN Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community around prevention of domestic and family violence, sexual assault and child abuse in partnership with key stakeholders.
  • Working as part of the Violence Prevention Education Program (VPEP) to provide education and community awareness initiatives around DV/FV prevention in schools and a wide variety of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community settings in partnership with key stakeholders.
  • Work to raise community awareness of violence and abuse in Aboriginal communities through facilitating Aboriginal workforce training and supporting and engaging communities to address family violence through education and prevention strategies.
  • Build formal partnerships within the CCN to enhance education and community development strategies to enable better access for Aboriginal people to a range of responses in line with recommendations of the Aboriginal Family Health Strategy and other LHD initiatives incorporating whole of Government activity.
  • Develop culturally appropriate training and education strategies in collaboration with the Violence Prevention Education Program (VPEP) to reduce and prevent family violence in Aboriginal communities.
  • Liaise and consult with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on identifying community supported family violence prevention responses utilising education and community awareness initiatives.
  • Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with relevant Aboriginal and organisations to work in collaboration with the Violence Prevention Education Program (VPEP).
  • Facilitate Education of the general community related to Domestic/ Family violence, Sexual assault and child abuse prevention.
  • Contribute to established community education and public awareness on issues relating to the impact of domestic/family violence on individuals, the family and community.
  • Maintain high level of up to date professional skills.
  • Identify targets and priorities in the provision of education and training to services and communities to support service provision with a view to ‘whole of community’ education strategy.
  • Identify gaps in education initiatives around domestic/family violence, sexual assault and child abuse and advocate for resources according to need.
  • Develop MNCLHD Coffs Clinical Network Violence Prevention Education action plan reviewed on an annual basis in collaboration with VPEP.
  • Mid North Coast Region

State Aboriginal Co-Management Officer

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
, Australia
06.2008 - 08.2018
  • Company Overview: Office of the Environment and Heritage
  • Develop, edit, finalise and implement the OEH Aboriginal Park Partnership Manual.
  • Consultation on the Manual development and completion. This included with the NSW Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee appointed by the NSW Minister for the Environment, NSW Government Agencies involved in Aboriginal Co-management included Department of Premier and Cabinet (Legal Division), Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Department of Lands, Aboriginal Registrars’ Office, Native Title Services, NSW Aboriginal Land Council and existing Aboriginal Co-Management Boards and Committees.
  • Coordination in the State and Federal negotiations and consultation with the NSW Aboriginal Communities for Aboriginal Park management and protection.
  • Negotiate and develop high level legal agreements for native title claims and or determinations in the Federal Court of Australia, legal and non-legally binding agreement with the NSW Aboriginal Peoples', negotiate and develop Indigenous Land Use Agreements between the State Government and the Native Title Holders, Aboriginal Ownership Agreements for Aboriginal Owned National Parks, Ownership Lease Agreement negotiations and development between the NSW Government and the NSW Aboriginal Owners under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act.
  • Aboriginal Co-Management Committee member for OEH Parks and Wildlife Group Planners Thematic Committee in the development and implementation of new plan of management framework.
  • Develop and implement Aboriginal cultural heritage assessments and project on the national parks estate.
  • OEH staff consultations obligations, develop and implement the OEH Aboriginal Partnership Policy and finalise approvals by the NSW NPWS Executive.
  • Office of the Environment and Heritage

Senior Aboriginal Co-Management Program Co-ordinator

NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
, Australia
03.2017 - 11.2017
  • Company Overview: Parks and Wildlife Group, Protected Areas Policy and Programs/ Aboriginal Co-management Unit (OEH)
  • State-wide coordination and management agreement negotiations, implementations and advice for Part 4A and Schedule 14 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, including ‘hand-back’, joint management agreements and other co-management arrangements. Act as a central reference point for co-management activities across the NSW State.
  • Develop and coordinate Departmental advice, policy and legal requirements for the NSW NPWS Aboriginal Joint Management Program, land and water assessments and management.
  • Organise and manage the OEH Aboriginal Co-management Working Groups, review and implement actions and provide be a central reference point for co-management across NSW.
  • Develop and disseminate systems, guidelines and protocols to assist Regions to implement the many co-management mechanisms available (including ‘handback’, Indigenous Land Use Agreements and non-legislated actions) and advice / direct Department staff on all forms of co-management arrangements to ensure consistent procedural documentation is available to all co-management managers.
  • Develop processes and actions for continual improvement and enhancement for Aboriginal co-management of parks and other protected areas, and effective evaluation of co-management arrangements.
  • Prepare a program plan, review documents, and undertake general project management to co-ordinate and report on periodic reviews of progress in co-management arrangements to ensure planning and performance indicators are achieved.
  • Provide authoritative and strategic advice to the Manager on development of the co-management program.
  • Provide general advice on co-management issues to staff, the Executive, the Minister and external agencies.
  • Develop and implement ministerial requirements for Aboriginal co-management management. Liaise and negotiate with Division, Branch, Region and Area staff regarding co-management program priorities, planning and implementation.
  • Represents OEH on the Aboriginal National Parks Steering Committee and in public forums; and confers and negotiates with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Manage the Aboriginal Co-Management Program budget and disbursement allocations for the OEH budget allocated for ‘Part 4A handback’ negotiations and agreements.
  • Supervise short-term contractors and develop funding submissions and agreements.
  • Parks and Wildlife Group, Protected Areas Policy and Programs/ Aboriginal Co-management Unit (OEH)

Park Manager

Parks Australia
Booderee National Park, Australia
09.2016 - 03.2017
  • Company Overview: Booderee National Park
  • First Indigenous & Female Person to be a Park Manager for a Federal National Park Reserve – Booderee National Park.
  • Provide leadership and manage, direct and control the operations of the Booderee National Park (BNP) and Booderee Botanic Gardens in conjunction with the Board of Management, Traditional Owners, the Assistant Secretary (Joint Management Branch) and the Director of National Parks.
  • Facilitate the effective implementations and legal obligations of the BNP Plan of Management and other works programs as well as the management of human and financial resources to ensure the effective management of all BNP functions.
  • Manage the remote and cross-cultural contexts of Booderee National Park, deliver key projects including the management of environmental, cultural and visitor programs, reviews and/or the delivery of other Government initiatives and corporate policies and procedures.
  • Establish, develop and maintain effective relationships with the Booderee Board of Management and Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council including leading the negotiations, management and monitoring of the BNP Lease, Service Agreements and other key agreements.
  • Represent the Department at the regional park level and participate in high level negotiations with government and non-government agencies, agencies representing the interests of the local Aboriginal community, the tourism industry and other groups/individuals with interests in the management of the Park.
  • Develop and maintain effective consultative links with the tourism industry, scientific community and government agencies contributing to the overall management of Booderee National Park and Booderee Botanic Gardens.
  • Booderee National Park

Acting Manager, Northern Aboriginal Heritage Section

OEH
, Australia
05.2000 - 05.2009
  • Company Overview: Cultural Heritage Division
  • Supervise, guide, establish and approve performance management and development priorities and agreements for Section staff. Responsible as a member of senior management team and participation in the development of state-wide Aboriginal heritage conservation policies, strategies and programs.
  • Establish priorities and programs for the identification, assessment and management of Aboriginal heritage values, both within and outside of national parks and other reserves.
  • Work closely with Parks and Wildlife Division managers to enhance their understanding and management obligations of the Aboriginal cultural heritage values of reserves, including government and community priorities.
  • Assist regions in the negotiation of agreements concerning access, use and the joint management of reserves. Delivery of projects which aim to improve knowledge of the nature, distribution and significance of the Aboriginal heritage values of NSW.
  • Implementation and management of key programs for the conservation of Aboriginal heritage values, including Aboriginal Place assessments; repatriation of ancestral remains, cultural material and knowledge, regional Aboriginal heritage assessments and Aboriginal site maintenance.
  • Provide specialist advice to the Environmental Protection and Regulation Division to ensure the department’s regulatory processes adequately address Aboriginal heritage.
  • Specialist advice and support OEH, Catchment Management Authority and local government staff on the identification and protection of Aboriginal heritage values associated with natural resources, including water and native vegetation.
  • Develop and inform on Aboriginal heritage awareness and training delivery to OEH staff and government and non-government community members on land management, Aboriginal cultural heritage management and protection.
  • Cultural Heritage Division

Senior Aboriginal Heritage Planning Officer

OEH
, Australia
09.2006 - 09.2007
  • Company Overview: Environment Protection and Planning Group
  • Manage and coordinate Aboriginal cultural heritage management and protection requirements including Aboriginal Elders and Community consultations and engagements.
  • Provide specialist direction and advice to OEH executive, management and staff, developers, consultants, and local and state Government in planning and regulation of Aboriginal heritage.
  • Manage and coordinate strategic and operational planning, regulatory processes, conservation and management of the National Parks Act (1974), Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (EPA Act) and the development of management and protection conditions on impact consents, permits and mitigation.
  • Review, implement and coordinate reporting and directions on Aboriginal culture and heritage assessment reports, Aboriginal Community consultations on the significance, values and management advice and direction on Aboriginal objects, sites and places.
  • Coordination, management and conflict resolution / facilitation of Aboriginal Communities and custodian ownership concerns in environment planning to minimise Aboriginal cultural heritage impacts.
  • Develop, advice and or manage conservation strategies, planning and management for Aboriginal object, sites and places, conservation plans and projects.
  • OEH Primary Officer for the Aboriginal Community consultations and engagement requirements for environment planning, management and conservation of Aboriginal heritage programs.
  • Advice and coordinate management and requirements to consent authorities, developers and OEH executive, management and staff on cultural protocols, strategies and partnerships with Aboriginal Communities, regulation and planning obligations under the NPW Act and EPA Act.
  • Environment Protection and Planning Group

Cultural Heritage Project Officer

OEH
, Australia
01.2006 - 06.2007
  • Company Overview: NSW Parks and Wildlife Group
  • This position was a pilot-position and I was on secondment from my substantive position as OEH Aboriginal Heritage Planning Officer, Environment Protection and Regulation Division, Planning and Aboriginal Heritage Section. Now successfully a permanent position.
  • Develop and implement consultations and engagement strategies for and with the Aboriginal Communities for the North Coast Region National Parks, Nature Reserves, and the Coffs Coast Regional Parks.
  • Develop, implement, facilitate and provide Cultural Heritage Awareness Programs for the North Coast Region.
  • Develop, advice and inform cultural heritage management, protection and general recommendations for Aboriginal cultural heritage and Land Claims under Schedule 14 Negotiations for Parks, Native Title Claims and Indigenous Land Use Agreements, NPW Act.
  • Develop, advice and inform Responsible for the coordination, facilitation and reporting of Cultural Heritage Assessment and Management Plans for the National Parks, Nature Reserves and the Regional Park in the North Coast Region.
  • Responsible for establishment of partnerships and stronger relationships of the Aboriginal Community and the OEH PWD, and government authorities in the North Coast Region. Aboriginal cultural heritage interpretation and management direction for projects in the PWD North Coast Region.
  • Provide expert advice to the Regional executive management team and Regional professional staff on Aboriginal cultural heritage management and protection.
  • Development, initiation and coordination of Aboriginal cultural heritage management and protection requirements of the OEH, PWD Plans of Management.
  • Advice and inform on legislative and policy obligations for Aboriginal heritage to the OEH, Northern Aboriginal Heritage Section.
  • Develop, implement and provide advice and direction to the Minister for the Environment and OEH management and executive ministerial and briefing notes.
  • Develop and seek funding submissions, management and acquittal of Aboriginal cultural heritage management and protection programs and projects in the North Coast Region National Parks Estate.
  • NSW Parks and Wildlife Group

Acting Senior Aboriginal Heritage Officer

OEH
, Australia
06.2006 - 10.2006
  • Company Overview: Environment Protection and Regulation Division
  • Performance management, develop and deploy staff and maintain effective financial planning and budgetary controls in resource management for program priorities and maintenance.
  • Provide expert advice on regulation and planning of Aboriginal heritage, coordination of concurrent activities with competing requirements for resources, to ensure the OEH’s statutory obligations are met within clear timeframes.
  • Facilitation and management of resolution in complex legal, social and political issues associated with Aboriginal heritage, and implement agreed OEH standards and methods to ensure consistency in the assessment of Aboriginal heritage impact assessments under the NPW Act (1974) and EPA Act.
  • Provide advice and direction for Aboriginal heritage management and protection, projects and assessment of OEH division in accordance with OEH Aboriginal heritage legislation's, policies and procedures.
  • Provide advice and direction to Regional Operations Branch in the regulation and planning for Aboriginal heritage.
  • Provide high quality and timely advice / direction on briefing and ministerial notes / papers to OEH management and executive to facilitate management of contentious issues on Aboriginal heritage management and protection with short timeframes.
  • Develop and implement programs and manage projects for OEH’s regulation and planning obligations for Aboriginal heritage.
  • Advice and inform on development and implementation of environmental planning instruments, environmental impact assessments, and review of environmental factors for development proposals on Aboriginal heritage values and significance.
  • Environment Protection and Regulation Division

Aboriginal Heritage Planning Officer

OEH
, Australia
04.1998 - 09.2002
  • Responsible for Aboriginal cultural heritage management and protection in consultation of the local Aboriginal Elders and Community representatives within the North-East Directorate.
  • Responsible for specialist advice and assistance to OEH staff, developers and shire councils to ensure effective protection and conservation of Aboriginal heritage in conservation assessments and planning matters.
  • Responsible for strategic and operational planning, regulatory processes and other conservation activities including the relevant development sections of the National Parks Act (1974), and developing conditions of impact consent and mitigation options.
  • Review Aboriginal heritage impact assessment reports to ensure Aboriginal Community consultation has been adequate and appropriate to determine significance of Aboriginal heritage values to Aboriginal Peoples’. Facilitation of Aboriginal Communities concerns in environmental planning, and determine minimum cultural heritage impacts.
  • Responsible for specialist advice to OEH Conservation Assessment and Data Unit staff with Aboriginal heritage assessments, including cultural values of natural resources is incorporated into regional and bioregional assessment projects.
  • Advice and contribution to OEH decision-makings with the Directorate regional vegetation, water and catchment management.
  • Development of conservation strategies for Aboriginal objects and sites, and implements conservation projects, consistent with conservation plans.
  • Responsible for primary OEH liaison point for Aboriginal Communities in the Directorate environmental planning that relate to Aboriginal heritage protection.
  • Advice to consent authorities, developers and Directorate staff on protocols, strategies and contacts for Aboriginal Community consultation, with particular regard to the regulatory requirements under the NPW Act and EP&A Act.
  • Maintenance of database of Aboriginal Community organisations within the directorate and is required to enter information such as new records (permits and reports) linked to Aboriginal sites/objects in the Aboriginal Heritage Information System (AHIMS), as part of the Aboriginal heritage impact assessment process.
  • Responsible for assistance with the development and delivery of Aboriginal cultural awareness and heritage management training programs within the Directorate.

Education

Certificate I, II, III - Gumbaynggirr Language & Culture

Muurrabay Aboriginal Language & Culture Co-operative Limited
12.1997

Diploma in Business - Governance

12.1996

Skills

  • Aboriginal health strategy
  • Accreditation processes
  • Program development
  • Health performance monitoring
  • Policy implementation
  • Partnership building

References

  • Dr Rachael Gill, Deputy-Director Medical Services, Coffs Harbour Health Campus Emergency Department, (02) 66567000, rachael.gill@health.nsw.gov.au, Coffs Harbour, NSW
  • Sarah Grace-Booth, General Manager, MNCLHD Coffs Clinical Network / Executive Officer, Coffs Harbour Health Campus, (02) 66567 000, sarah.grace-booth@health.nsw.gov

Timeline

Aboriginal Health Manager

MNCLHD
08.2022 - Current

National Program Manager - Intermediary

SNAICC
10.2021 - 08.2022

Network Aboriginal Health Manager

MNCLHD
09.2018 - 11.2021

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Program Officer, Aboriginal Health Worker

NSW Health
01.2018 - 09.2018

Senior Aboriginal Co-Management Program Co-ordinator

NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
03.2017 - 11.2017

Park Manager

Parks Australia
09.2016 - 03.2017

State Aboriginal Co-Management Officer

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
06.2008 - 08.2018

Senior Aboriginal Heritage Planning Officer

OEH
09.2006 - 09.2007

Acting Senior Aboriginal Heritage Officer

OEH
06.2006 - 10.2006

Cultural Heritage Project Officer

OEH
01.2006 - 06.2007

Acting Manager, Northern Aboriginal Heritage Section

OEH
05.2000 - 05.2009

Aboriginal Heritage Planning Officer

OEH
04.1998 - 09.2002

Certificate I, II, III - Gumbaynggirr Language & Culture

Muurrabay Aboriginal Language & Culture Co-operative Limited

Diploma in Business - Governance

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