Local leader appointed top role in Torres Strait

Torres Strait Islander leader, Vonda Malone, has been announced as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA).  

Ms Malone – a Torres Strait Islander woman with connection to Thursday Island and Erub (Darnley Island) – will become the most senior public servant living in the region. 

TSRA Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen AM said the appointment demonstrated TSRA’s commitment to providing local leadership opportunities. 

“As the region’s lead federal agency and large local employer, we are proud to create a legacy for our own people to grow, develop and thrive as leaders,” Mr Stephen said. 

“I would like to congratulate Ms Malone on her appointment and welcome her wealth of experience, advocacy and connections across all levels of government, most recently as the first female mayor for Torres Shire Council.” 

Mr Stephen said the appointment followed an extensive recruitment process, approved by Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP in consultation with the TSRA Board.   

“Local decision-making and self-determination includes having a say in the leaders who will advocate for the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area.”  

“We look forward to Ms Malone’s leadership to bring together the many government agencies represented in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area and our Non-Government Organisations to advance the political and economic priorities of our people and region,” he said. 

He also thanked former CEO Leilani Bin-Juda and for her efforts and contributions to the region.  

Incoming CEO Vonda Malone said she welcomed the opportunity to work with staff, communities and the TSRA Board to deliver local priorities. 

“It is important we build on lessons learned during the pandemic to innovate, improve and challenge each other to deliver the best possible outcomes for our people and region,” Ms Malone said. 

“Beyond delivering outcomes and positive change, I hope to encourage women and people in regional and remote communities to pursue leadership opportunities.” 

Ms Malone will start her five-year term on 1 May 2022. 

Biography: 

 

Ms Vonda Malone was appointed by the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, as TSRA’s Chief Executive Officer on 6 April 2022 and will commence in the role on 1 May 2022.  

She returns to TSRA after extensive professional experience including her role as the first female Mayor of the Torres Shire Council. 

Ms Malone has 22 years of experience working across 3 levels of government, specialising in Indigenous Affairs. She brings a unique international perspective to the role through her positions with both the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the United Nations Office of the Human Rights Commission, Geneva. 

Ms Malone looks forward to working with the TSRA Chairperson, the Board, stakeholders and communities to achieve the TSRA’s vision of ‘Empowering our people, in our decision, in our culture for our future’. She has a particular interest in improving health and well-being outcomes for the region. 

Ms Malone was named the McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year in 2017, recognising her leadership as Mayor of the Torres Shire Council. Ms Malone is a fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner's Indigenous Fellowship Program and also a recipient of the Centenary Medal and the NAIDOC Award of Excellence. 

She holds a Graduate Certificate in Australian Rural Leadership and Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management. 

TSRA fast facts: 

 

In 2021, TSRA had a total of 151 employees. 

Women made up more than half (58 per cent) of the TSRA workforce and the majority of the workforce (78 per cent) are Torres Strait Islander and/or Aboriginal. 

Through TSRA’s women’s leadership programme, 48 women have completed skills and capacity training since 2014. 

The TSRA Board includes five women – up from three in the previous Board term – the strongest level of female representation since TSRA was established in 1994. 

Learn more about the TSRA at www.tsra.gov.au