ABC Friends welcomes two new members to the ABC Board, following the Minister for Communications Anika Wells appointing Dr Lisa Caffery as Deputy Chair and Mr Damien Miller as Director.

Dr Caffery, based in Emerald in regional Queensland, brings extensive experience across water, infrastructure, health and the not-for-profit sector. She holds a PhD from Central Queensland University and has completed the Cambridge Sustainability Leadership program. Her appointment as Deputy Chair follows the resignation of Peter Tonagh.

Mr Miller, of the Gangulu people, spent 25 years as an Australian career diplomat. In 2013 he became the first Indigenous Australian to be appointed as an Australian Head of Mission, serving as Ambassador to Denmark, Norway and Iceland. He also served in Washington DC, Berlin and Kuala Lumpur before moving into board roles.

ABC Chair Kim Williams expressed particular satisfaction at the Minister’s decision to appoint a First Nations Australian with extensive international experience.

ABC Friends also thanks outgoing Director Mario D’Orazio for his five years of service. Mr D’Orazio chaired the Board’s People and Culture Committee and is credited with helping establish both the Office of the Ombudsman and the People and Culture Board committee as structural improvements to ABC governance.