Michael is a Galari Gibir (Lachlan River man) of the Wiradjuri Nation, the people of the Three Rivers. Born in Orange, he has familial and cultural links to the Central West, Capital Country, and Riverina-Murray areas of New South Wales.
Michael is a dedicated and dynamic leader with over 19 years of experience in enhancing the health and wellbeing with and for Aboriginal people and communities across many human services.
Michael is currently the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Lowitja Institute based in Naarm (Melbourne) and previous to this, Michael was Chief Operations Officer with Orange Aboriginal Medical Service (OAMS) where he played a pivotal role in expanding funding, growing workforce, and designing services for the community.
Throughout his career, Michael has demonstrated a strong track record in overseeing and supporting the implementation of organisational development plans, ensuring staff and systems are safe, effective, efficient and quality-driven. His leadership in the community-controlled sector builds on a distinguished career in the NSW Public Service, where he contributed to Education, Communities and Justice, NSW Police Force, Aboriginal Affairs, and TAFE NSW. Michael has extensive governance experience having served for a number serving on a number of boards and committees, including previously the Orange Aboriginal Community Working Party, Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council, Three Rivers Regional Assembly, and TAFE NSW Western Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
Michael currently serves on the Ministerial Aboriginal Partnership Group (NSW Department of Communities and Justice), National Health and Medical Research Council Indigenous Advisory Group, Aboriginal-led Commissioning Project Steering Committee and Western Health Alliance Limited.
