Empowerment in action at WALGA’s Aboriginal Engagement Forum

Participating in WA Local Government Association’s 2026 Aboriginal Engagement Forum on Wednesday, St John WA First Nations Lead and Thin Mah and Warrianga Yamatji Paramedic Jeremy Maitland-Smith reflected on creating culturally safe spaces in the workplace.

As a forum panellist and now steering group member for AIM WA’s Beediyar program, Jeremy recounted about how when he started with St John he was one of only two Aboriginal paramedics and now since taking his role it has grown to 10, with still a long way to go.

Jeremy said a big part of his journey in leading the First Nations team was undertaking the inaugural 12-month First Nations leadership training provided by AIM WA mentor Drew Mayhills as a means of better communicating with other leaders the importance of taking risks on potential Aboriginal employees who don’t always fit policies or frameworks.

“St John has been really supportive of my participation in the Beediyar program, and really happy for me to develop myself in that space to bring back the skills to the organisation,” Jeremy told the forum of about 200 delegates from local councils and supporting stakeholders.

“My team not only supported me through it but listened to me afterward.”

And he was proud to pass the Beediyar baton on to Jordan Mogridge, St John WA First Nations Relations Specialist, who is currently undergoing the training.

The 2024-25 Beediyar pilot program had resulted in:

• 7 of 20 progressed to more senior/leadership roles,
• 4 of 20 upgraded to Board roles,
• 20 out of 20 reporting self confidence to step into a more senior role.

WALGA’s roomful of Elders, Aunties, Uncles and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their Local Government allies heard how AIM WA hoped to assist the next generation of First Nation CEOs, Executives, Managers and Directors.

The ‘Beediyar Leaders Breaking the Mould: New approaches to First Nations executive leadership’ panel also consisted of City of Kalamunda Councillor, MARDAA co-founder and Wanparta Operations Manager Brooke O’Donnell.

The event included a number of keynote speakers, including:

• 2026 Australian of the Year Local Hero Frank Mitchell; a proud Whadjuk Yued Noongar man who has empowered employment pathways in the construction industry for WA Aboriginal peoples.
• Ngalla Yorga Waangkan interim Chair Cindy Ballard; a proud Yued yorga helping Stolen Generation women overcome isolation through women talking groups.
• City of Melville First Nations Community Development Officer Kelsey Kickett; a proud Whadjuk Ballardong Noonga yorga, Miss NAIDOC 2024 and representative on the National First Nations Youth Advisory Group.
• Shire of Waroona Councillor Brad Vitale; a proud Noongar and Italian man whose diversity and culturally informed background helps champion the Bindjareb community.
• Reconciliation WA Board Member Kyra Galante; a Guburn (Kupurn) woman with Noongar connections, and was an ambassador for the Voice to Parliament’ campaign.

It was opened by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Honourable Don Punch and newly elected WALGA President Mark Irwin, who asked every participant to walk away from the forum and ask how they were going to empower action in their workplaces going forward?