Our People

Our people are the core existence of our organisation. Tiwi Land Council values diversity and inclusivity and aims to offer a harmonious and dynamic workplace for all. We believe an environment where people are able to be their true authentic self; are valued and heard, is the key. In summary, our people matter. 

On November 15, 2023, the Minister for Indigenous Australians approved a new method of choice for electing Tiwi Land Council members, establishing the process for elections across the eight clan groups on the Tiwi Islands. Click the link to view the approved method of choice.

Chair

Leslie Tungatalum

Deputy Chair

Austin Wonaeamirri

TIWI LAND COUNCIL - ELECTION OF NOMINEES FOR TRUSTEE 2023

The Northern Territory Electoral Commission conducted elections from 20 June to 29 June 2023 for the position of Trustee nominee for each of eight Tiwi clans.

Eight clan meetings were held. At each meeting nominations were accepted, and if required, an election was held.

As a result of that process, and the Ministers decision, the following clan members are appointed as Trustees of the Tiwi Land Council.

CLAN	ELECTION DATE	PERSON ELECTED
Jikilaruwu (Tikilaru)	20 June 2023	Simon Peter Munkara
Wurankuwu (Ranku)	21 June 2023	Brian Tipungwuti
Yimpinari	22 June 2023	Mary Dunn
Wulirankuwu	17 February 2026	Samson Mungatopi
Munupi	26 June 2023	Karina Coombes
Mantiyupwi	27 June 2023	Wesley Kerinaiua
Malawu	28 June 2023	Richard Martin Puruntatameri
Marrikawuyanga	29 June 2023	Damien Burak Molaminni

Tiwi Land Council Members - Elections held December 2023, January 2024 and March 2025

Mantiyupwi Wesley Kerinaiua (Trustee) Bonaventure Timaepatua Banita Ullungura Tipiloura Ainsley Kerinaiua Cheryl Kerinaiua	Munupi Karina Coombes (Trustee) Leslie Tungatalum (TLC Chair) Alexander Puruntatameri Laelia Dunn Justina Puruntatameri
Yimpinari Mary Dunn (Trustee) Austin Wonaeamirri (TLC Deputy Chair) Andrew Bush Edwina Brooks Ellanora Wonaeamirri	Malawu Richard Puruntatameri (Trustee) Miriam Stassi Anastasius Vigona Ephrianna Tipungwuti Sebastian Tipungwuti

Wulirankuwu Jeffrey Puruntatameri (Miller) (Trustee) John Tipiloura Wendy Mungatopi Miller Karen Tipiloura Bradley Tipiloura	Wurankuwu Brian Tipungwuti (Chair of Trustees) Edward Portaminni Jr Ron Poantimilui Charlotte Portaminni Jocelyn Tipungwuti
Marrikawuyanga Damien Molaminni (Burak) (Trustee) Neville Wommatakimmi Donna Molaminni (Burak) Neil Black Claire Cecilia Scrymgour	Jikilaruwu Simon Peter Munkara (Trustee) Valentine Puautjimi Agnella Tipungwuti John Benson Kelantumama Andrea Puautjimi

TLC Staff

• Chief Executive Officer – Brenton Toy

  • Executive Officer - Margot Livsey

    • Office Coordinator (Wurrumiyanga) – Mavis Kerinaiua

    • Receptionist - Tamara Norris-Ado

• Chief Financial Officer - Maria Juan

  • Finance Manager - Josephine Martens

  • Finance Officer - Gina Minoza

  • Grants & Projects Officer - Kristine Matienzo

  • Governance, Risk & Compliance Officer - Ana Rallo Garcia

  • Senior People & Capability Officer - (Acting) Aimee Levey

  • Human Resource Coordinator - Vacant

  • Records & Retention Administrator - Jean Daet

• Manager, Land Use & Operations - Murray Knyvett

  • Resources & Environmental Officer - Sarah Ryan

  • Resources & Environmental Officer - Louis Gillies

  • Quarantine & Biosecurity Officer - Tamara South

  • Supervisor, Operations Support - Riley Habraken

  • Field Support Officer - John Sebastian Pilakui

  • Anthropologist - Nicole Ng

  • Anthropologist - Isabelle Favre

  • Anthropologist - Edward Bitnar

  • WHS & Training Officer - Raquel Carter

• Manager, Tiwi Culture & Engagement - Helen Daiyi

  • Cultural Liaison Officer - Ainsley Kerinaiua

  • Cultural Committee Support Officer - Kiara Petterson

  • Media & Communications Officer - Alan James

• Chief Legal Officer - Alex Clunies-Ross

  • Senior Legal Officer - Ben Niles

• Manager, Policy & Advocacy – (Acting) Nicola Flook

  • Senior Policy & Development Manager - Nicola Flook

  • Tiwi Leader's Forum Coordinator - James Scrymgour

Past Tiwi Land Council Chair's

1978 – 1981 1981 – 1991 1991 – 1994 1994 – 1997 1997 – 2000 2000 – 2003 2003 – 2006 2006 – 2012 2012 – 2024

Cyril Kalippa (Rioli) Jimmy Tipungwuti Walter Kerinaiua Matthew Wonaeamirri Marius Puruntatameri Matthew Wonaeamirri Frederick Mungatopi Robert Tipungwuti Gibson Farmer Illortaminni