The Arthur Beetson Foundation (ABF) has announced the appointment of three new Board members who include Olympian, the CEO of the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation and the Dreamworld Education Manager.
The new board members to join the team at the ABF are:
- Kelly McKellar-Nathan – former Olympic Softballer
- Sandra Williamson – Dreamworld Education Manager
- Cameron Costello – CEO, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC)
Board Chair Steven Johnson said he was thrilled to welcome the new members at an historic meeting which took place in the Arthur Beetson Room of the RLCQ (opposite Suncorp Stadium) last night.
“The Arthur Beetson Foundation is immensely proud to have Kelly McKellar-Nathan, Sandra Williamson and Cameron Costello join us and we know what a great contribution they will make to the foundation,” Mr Johnson said.
“The three new Board members will join me and Brad Beetson to continue ‘Big Artie’s’ push to help bring people together and help people’s lives.
“They will bring a wealth of knowledge, skills and cultural backgrounds to the ABF.
“We are thrilled to have people with so much skill and experience join the ABF to help us deliver a majority Indigenous and gender balance on our board.
“While it is important to ensure Artie’s legacy is remembered; equally importantly – as he would have wanted – is for us to raise funds to ensure the ABF can lend a helping hand for Indigenous youth by supporting different organisations such as Institute of Urban Indigenous Health’s Deadly Choices Program.”
CEO Phil Reeves said it was an exciting time for the Arthur Beetson Foundation with the upcoming 6th annual ABF Murri Carnival and Under 15 PNG tour fast approaching and a number of major fundraising events planned.
“Our two goals at the ABF are to ensure Arthur Beetson’s achievements and contribution are never forgotten as well as raising funds to ensure young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people get the best outcomes whether that is in education, health or sport,” Mr Reeves said.
About the new board members:
Kelly McKellar- Nathan
Employment
Team Leader, Indigenous Team – Brisbane City Council (BCC) – January 2012 – current
Team Leader, Indigenous and Multicultural Teams BCC – October 2008 to Dec 2011
Senior Indigenous Policy Office BCC – September 2005 to October 2008
National Parks Sports & Rec Qld (Elite Athlete Panel Member) – 2002 to current
Education
Griffith University, Bachelor of Arts in Leisure Management 1991 – 1996
Oklahoma City University – Bachelor of Science in Sociology 1993 -1995 (Deferred)
Sport Achievements (Highlights):
Softball
Played 95 games for Australia
2015 Hall of Fame Inductee – Oklahoma City University Softball
2010-2011 Queensland Heat (Open Women’s) representative
2007 Patron - Indigenous Sports Queensland
2001 Awarded an Australian Sports Medal
2000 Australian Olympic Softball Squad member
1999 Australian Women’s representative
1998 Australian representative - Silver Medallists, World Championships
1997 Queensland Sports Woman of The Year Award – Nominee
1996 QAS Softball Squad member
1995 Oklahoma City Uni, Softball rep - First Team All-American Sport Award
Sandra Williamson
Employment:
· Dreamworld Education Manager
Sandra brings a diverse background in business, education, tourism, hospitality and the sales sector. Sandra was instrumental in setting up Preston Campbell’s first social venture, Presto’s Training Café at Dreamworld ensuring the café integration of the operation into a large business. Sandra was the main lead for Dreamworld’s first Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) incorporating up to 1200 employees. Her expertise includes operational, strategic planning and marketing of a charity organisation, the Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation along with building strong relationships (internally and externally with high profile ambassadors) and rolling out key charity events. As a teacher, educational consultant spanning over 25 years in both public and private sector she has been responsible for the development of educational programs for millions of guests on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through the award-winning Dreamworld Corroboree working with the full support of the local Yugambeh Museum.
Cameron Costello
Employment:
CEO Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation - September 2013 to present
Board Member Cairns Indigenous Art Fair - April 2014 – Present
Fieldworx – Consultant May - 2012 – August 2012 (Social and Cultural Impact Assessment of an Iron Ore Resource Project on remote Indigenous communities in the Dampier Peninsula, WA)
Qld Government - Program Manager Backing Indigenous Arts - August 2007 – May 2012
Education:
The UQ: Bachelor of Laws (LLB)Bachelor of Laws (LLB) – 2002 – 2005
Griffith University: Bachelor of Arts, Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies 1992 – 1995
