Gary Powell was the Senior Advisor of Empowered Communities contributing to both national activity, the NPY EC region and the other nine regional Empowered Communities projects around the country.
Gary was in the original design team for Empowered Communities working with Indigenous leaders from regions around Australia on the Design Report to the Australian Government, working with the Cape York Institute and the Jawun Corporation.
Gary Powell was a Senior Executive in the Australian Public Service for many years, including the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations, Department of Education, Science and Training.
Leading into the EC design work, Gary was a Senior Executive in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and AusAID for three years, managing policy and programs in Civil Society and engagement with the Australian business community, Australian Volunteers for International Development, partnerships with major Australian NGOs, the Australian NGO Cooperation Program and the ACFID.
Gary Powell’s major work in Indigenous affairs includes work with the National Aboriginal Health Strategy, the Council of Australian Government (COAG) trials and the Remote Service Delivery model.
Gary was a senior manager in aged care, youth affairs, housing, employment, rural and Indigenous health in a range of Australian and ACT Government agencies
Gary has a high achieving history in the community or non-government sectors and various boards, prior to his public sector and Indigenous organisations experience.
Gary is partnered and has three adult children and four grandchildren with some childcare responsibilities, does gardening, archery and a fair bit of yoga, gym and walking.