Office Position Held: Treasurer
Term of Appointment: 3 Year Term (15 Nov 2017 – Current)

Michael is a Njaki Njaki Noongar man from the Eastern Wheatbelt with traditional connections to the Ballardong, Wudjak and Yuat clans. Michael is Managing Director and owner of Maarli Services Pty Ltd and co-owner of Maarli Biddi Traffic Service Pty Ltd and Director of Njaki Njaki Aboriginal Cultural Tours (his dad’s business). Michael previously worked in the resource sector as the Aboriginal Affairs Manager with engineering firm Calibre Global responsible for contracting, procurement, cultural awareness and employment & training. Michael has a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from Curtin University, is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and was a Senior Contract Manager for the Commonwealth Government for over a decade.

"continuing the growth of Wungening’s capabilities and capacity that builds on our reputation to deliver quality services to create and effect change to strengthen Aboriginal families"

Michael has more than 20 years’ professional experience in policy, community, and business development, contract & project management, native title and strategic engagement with Aboriginal communities. This has placed Michael in a number of professional positions, actively engaged in advancing Aboriginal people. He served as the Deputy Chairman of South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council (SWALSC) for  3 years and was a member of the South West Native Title Settlement Negotiation team. He was a board member of the Western Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council, serving as Chairman (Ministers Advisor) for 3 years and was a former board member of the Western Australian Youth Justice Board. His current roles include Native Title Trust Advisor for Australian Executor Trustees, Director of Njaki Njaki Aboriginal Cultural Tours, Director of Maarli Biddi Traffic Services and a Director of the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This is Michael's 10th consecutive year as treasure and 4th term as a Director. He acknowledges the work of Wungening Aboriginal Corporation's Directors and Management with our innovative approach in reforming key areas inclusive of governance, compliance, management, systems and structures that have strategically positioned the organisation to increase operational effectiveness. Michael would like to see Wungening’s asset base grow to position the organisation with a strong capital base to increase Wungening’s economic capacity. He wants to grow the research arm through strategic partnerships and set the foundation for creating a Noongar owned and operated Rehabilitation Facility. Michael looks forward to continuing the growth of Wungening’s capabilities and capacity that builds on our reputation to deliver quality services to create and effect change to strengthen Aboriginal families.