Governance

Earbus Foundation of Western Australia is an incorporated association of members under the WA Associations Incorporations Act 2015.

Since 2015, Earbus Foundation has been chaired by Aboriginal women of standing and repute; our current Chair, Ms Sue Beath, is an Elder of the Kariyarra people and has worked as a Senior Manager in Indigenous Education in both metropolitan Perth and regional WA. Her family are the Traditional Owners of an active native title claim in the Pilbara.

Earbus Foundation’s previous Chair (2015-19) Dr Carol Dowling, is a Badimia/Yamatji academic who for many years was based at Curtin University’s Centre for Aboriginal Studies and once held the position of Earbus Director of Research. Deputy-Chair, Dr Julie Owen, was the first Aboriginal graduate from UWA’s School of Population Health, completing a PhD in Aboriginal Health.

Earbus Foundation is shaped and guided by the experience, knowledge and expertise of Aboriginal Elders to ensure Governance probity and accountability. Board oversight ensures that services are child and family-centered and consistent with Earbus’s values of openness, loyalty and brilliance. The Board receives regular comprehensive data reports for all regions in which Earbus works detailing activity, outcomes and program performance.

Earbus Foundation’s Board of Directors has 50% Aboriginal representation and Aboriginal members hold senior leadership roles of Chair and Deputy-Chair. The Board meets six (6) times a year in addition to the Annual General Meeting of Association Members.

Earbus Patrons Professor Harvey Coates AO and Ms Wendy Duncan provide leadership, expertise and support for clinical matters and matters pertaining to services in regional WA respectively.