Co-Chair Fran Kilgariff has recently stepped down after eight years as Mayor of Alice Springs and has a long and noteworthy history of contribution to the Northern Territory, as has her father. Bernie Kilgariff was the first Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in 1974 and subsequently went on to represent the Northern Territory as a senator from 1975 until 1987. Fran has always had a strong interest in Statehood, and is an advocate of strong public involvement and understanding in the Statehood process.

The Honourable Jane Aagaard MLA is the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory and the Member for Nightcliff and chairs both the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs and the Statehood Steering Committee.

Married with three children, Jane has been the Member for Nighcliff since 2001, was the Minister for Health and Community Services in the first term of the first Territory Labor Government in 2001 and has been Speaker since 2005.

As well as her ongoing interest in Statehood and the development of the Northern Territory, Jane’s interests include walking, dancing, gardening, swimming, comparative religions, reading murder mysteries, philosophy and cooking.

Matthew Storey is the Senior Lawyer, Aboriginal Land Division of the Solictor for the NT. Matthew joined the Committee while Associate Professor of Law at CDU. He has served a number of years on various councils and committees and holds executive positions on a number of other legal professional bodies.

Brian Martin AO MBE came to Alice Springs in 1963 and moved to Darwin in 1981. He has followed a legal career in private practice, public service and as a judge of the NT Supreme Court from which he retired in 2003. Brian was involved in local government and other community affairs and has travelled widely throughout the NT. Brian views the achievement of statehood as fundamentally a matter of giving Territorians their basic democratic rights within the Commonwealth of Australia.

Daniel Bourchier believes young people have a vital role to play in the debate about the future shape of the Territory. Born and raised in Tennant Creek, Daniel has been an advocate for young people for many years. His advocacy has included being the Chairman of the Tennant Creek National Youth Week Regional Steering Committee, the Vice-Chairman of the Desert Harmony Cultural Festival Committee, and High School Captain. He has been on various other panels advocating for his peers as well. In 2005, Daniel was the Young Territorian of the Year and the Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year. Daniel believes in equality for all Territorian Australians and encourages all Territorians to become familiar with the issues surrounding a move to Statehood, and to be actively involved in the process.Daniel is a reporter with the Northern Territory News.

Jenny Medwell OAM has extensive experience in multicultural affairs. She was formerly the Assistant Secretary of the Victorian Ethnic Affairs Unit and Director of the then Northern Territory Office of Ethnic Affairs. She moved to Darwin from Papua New Guinea in 1979. Jenny served as the President of the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory Inc. a peak body that represents the interest, aspirations and concerns of Territorians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds including newly arrived migrants in the Territory. She is committed to these Territorians being strongly engaged with, and active participants in, the movement towards Statehood . She is an advocate of the inclusion of equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for all Territorians, regardless of their backgrounds or gender, in the constitution of a future new state of the Territory.

Kathleen Chong-Fong was born and raised in Darwin and is a fifth generation Australian of Chinese descent. She completed all her schooling locally attending Parap Pre-school and Primary School, Darwin High and the Northern Territory University (as it then was). She has a Bachelor of Laws Degree and works as a solicitor in the Aboriginal Land Division of the Solicitor for the Northern Territory, Department of Justice. She is also the General Secretary and Public Officer of the Chung Wah Society Inc.

Irene Nangala is an elected member of Walungurru Council located in Kintore west of Alice Springs. She is a traditional owner with responsibility for her lands and her community. Irene brings to the Statehood Steering Committee the unique perspective of Aboriginal peoples living in remote Australia and the issues that are important to them. She would like to ensure that when Statehood comes it recognises the value and importance of its traditional inhabitants.

Margaret Vigants is a long term Territorian working with a range of Territory organisations such as the NT Road Safety Council, Territorians for Statehood, the NT Centenary of Federation Committee, as a local Councillor and representing Local Government at the 1998 Statehood Convention. With more than 22 years ’in the bush’, Margaret brings a sound knowledge of remote communities living to the Statehood Steering Committee. She is deeply committed to Statehood on democratic terms.

Kezia Purick MLA Kezia is the Member for Goyder, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Minister for Major Projects, Trade and Economic Development, Planning and Lands, Housing, Statehood and Women’s Policy. Kezia joined the SSC while she was the Chief Executive of the Northern Territory Minerals Council (Inc). Kezia has a long-standing participation in moves towards Statehood and brings a historical perspective to the Statehood debate from her experience as a delegate to the 1998 NT Constitutional Convention. With a range of community responsibilities including membership of the Board of Studies, the Work Health Advisory Council and the Royal Agricultural Society, Kezia brings a dynamic breadth to Statehood discussions.

Maurie Ryan Japarta lives in Kalkaringi/Daguragu. He is the President of the local School Council as well as being the Deputy Chair of the Central Land Council and the President of the Daguragu Association.Maurie organised and hosted the activities for the 40th Anniversary Freedom Day celebrations at Kalkaringi on 25 August 2006. He joined the Statehood Committee in 2006 bringing experience and enthusiasm to the work. He is active in the Committee’s community liaison program, regularly visiting remote communities with our Community Liaison Officer.

Active in the Trade Union movement since the 1970’s, Jamey Robertson has been involved in a range of community organisations over the years including the City Council, Performing Arts Centre and the May Day Committee of which he is the Chair. A long term Territorian, Jamey believes Statehood brings responsibilities and hopes to engage the community in developing the framework for ensuring the NT Government and Parliament take those responsibilities seriously in working toward a fair model for Statehood that is representative and equitable.

Luke Bowen was born and raised on a mixed farm in Western Australia, and educated in Perth. After studying agriculture at Curtin University he spent time working in agriculture across WA and overseas. During the late 80’s and 90’s, Luke spent time as a sales and marketing executive in the building and construction industries in both WA and SA. Prior to taking the role of Executive Director of the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association, Luke had worked for 11 years with the Australian Government in programs that focused on land management and pastoral development on indigenous land.

Wayne Connop is a Jaowyn person from Katherine now living in Palmerston. A lawyer and qualified plumber Wayne now works for the NT Department of of Justice. He is interested in constitutional development and politics. His grandfather was a fettler on the first Territory railway line and his great grandfather was dedicated in the book We of the Never Never as the first outback mailman in the Northern Territory.

Harry Nelson from Yuendumu, a traditional owner and a member of the Central Land Council, joined the Committee during 2007. Harry has a long history of community involvement in the Northern Territory and is interested in the opportuties Statehood offers for reconciliation and indigenous self-determination.

Peter Schaefer from Alice Springs joined the Committee in 2007. Peter is a local businessman, a Rotarian, and is active in the Alice Springs business community. Peter has an interest in representing urban based Alice Springs people on the Committee to ensure that Alice Springs has a voice in the discussion and consultation process.

Ray Wooldrige is Vice President of the Northern Territory Local Government Association (Community) and is on the Pine Creek Community Government Council. With longstanding experience in grass roots government Ray brings a range of skills to the Committee and a voice for local government across the Territory.

Sean Parnell has lived in the NT since he was 18 years old having worked in the Top End and Central Australia. He is currently a Police Superintendent for the Alice Springs Division of the NT Police Force where he has worked for 28 years. He is a member of the Catholic Education Council for the Northern Territory and the longest serving executive member of the Northern territory Police Association. In addition, he is Vice President of the Northern Territory Police Museum and Historical Society.Sean is passionate about Territorians becoming equal partners in the Commonwealth with other Australians and excited to be involved in bringing people together right across the Territory- all part and parcel of his commitment to ensure our Constitution and statehood is inclusive; reflective of our core values- from our oldest inhabitants to our most recent. He is married with 6 children.

Wali Wunungmurra is the Chair of the Northern Land Council and comes from East Arnhem, and is a voice on the Committee for the Aboriginal people of that place.


Wali thinks it is a very exciting time for Statehood to be back on the agenda – Aboriginal people are very interested in Statehood and what it might mean for them. It is part of a bigger picture about the rights of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, and we need to have a discussion about those rights.

Bronwyn Russell is a long term Territorian having first arrived here in 1971. She currently lives in Darwin but has lived for a short time in Tennant Creek and 10 years in Alice Springs after Cyclone Tracy. She headed south for a while to go to University during her mid life crisis. Bronwyn is the Director of Engineers Australia Northern Division, the peak body for members of the engineering team. She also works part time as a counsellor for people experiencing fertility problems. She is President of Mental Health Carers NT and works for better outcomes for people affected by mental illness in the NT and nationally. Bronwyn is musically inclined and sings with the Darwin Chorale and leads the music in her local church. She has worked in Government, run her own retail business and is now in the not for profit sector. She has 2 children and 4 grandchildren.

Bob Wade is a representative of Unions NT and as a long term community activist and Territorian supports the inclusive process toward the Northern Territory becoming a future state.

Marion was born in Darwin in 1960 and is one of 11 children. Through her mother, Claire Mollimini, Marion has inherited Tiwi identity and obligations as a member of the Miyartuwi Skin Group. Her father, Jack Scrymgour, was removed as an infant from Central Australia and is apart of the Stolen Generation. Marion attended primary school at St Paul’s in Nightcliff and St Mary’s in Darwin’s CBD. She also completed her secondary education in Darwin at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College and St John’s College with the exception of attending Technical College in Sydney for a year. Her employment has included administration duties at Batchelor College and the Northern Land Council and Office Manager at the Nguiu Community Government Council. She then went on to be Director, Wurli Wurlinjang Aboriginal Corporation and co-ordinated community care trials for Commonwealth and Territory Governments in health service provision in the Katherine West Region. Prior to her election, Marion was the inaugural CE of Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation.

The Statehood Steering Committee’s Constitutional/Legal Adviser is currently the NT Solicitor General - Michael Grant QC.

Sue Bradley AM (Foundation Co Chair 2005 -2008)
Mr Stuart Kenny (2005 -2008)
Loraine Braham (2005 - 2008)
Mr Geoff Shaw AM (2005-2006)
Mr Kim Hill (2005-2006)
Mr Elliot McAdam MLA (Foundation Chair 2005-2006)
Mr Galarrwuy Yunupingu AM (2005)
Mr Karl Hampton MLA (2008)
Mr Pete Davies (2005-2008)
Mr Terry Mills MLA (2006-2008)
Mr Graham Nicholson (2005-2007)