Paul Briggs AO

Paul Briggs AO has a wealth of experience across a vast range of sectors in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community development.

In addition to being the founding Chairman of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) in 2005, Paul is a member of the Northern Victorian Aboriginal Partnerships Committee and a founding member of the Koori Economic Employment and the Training Agency Committee.

He is also the founding Chairman of the First Nations Australian Credit Union – a First Nations credit union offering national access to financial services, was the Chair from 2006-2014 and is currently a Patron.

Paul is best known as the founding President of the Rumbalara Football and Netball Club (RFNC) in northern Victoria which is a vibrant hub for social change in a practical and positive way.

He is a man of vision who has the wellbeing of his community at the core of everything he does and has included:

• Founding Member, Koori Resource and Information Centre, 2000-2011.
• Founding Co-Chair, Victorian Indigenous Leadership Network, 2004.
• Member, Indigenous Advisory Group, VicHealth, 2004-2005.
• Co-Chair, Indigenous Banking Reference Group, Reconciliation Australia, 2007-2011.
• Inaugural Chair, Dungala Kaiela Foundation, since 2008.
• Executive Chair, Kaiela Institute Ltd, since 2011.
• Founding Member, Empowered Communities Project, since 2013.
• Chair, Yorta Yorta Nations, 2014.
• Member Gana Burrai Steering Committee
• Member of the Victorian Aboriginal Treaty Working Group.
• Member, Victorian Aboriginal Treaty Working Group, since 2019.
• Member, Referendum Engagement Group, ‘The Voice’ Referendum, since 2022.

Munarra Centre of Regional Excellence, The University of Melbourne:

• Deputy Chair, current.
• Founding Member, current. The University of Melbourne
• Member, University Council, 2005-2008.
• Former Board Member, Murrup Barak.

Committee and Advisory Roles:

• Former Board Member, Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee.
• Member, Regional Partnerships Goulburn, current.
• Board Member, Short Black Opera Company, current.
• Board Member, Onemda Health Research, current.
• Board Member, Goulburn Murray Health Alliance, current.
• Steering Committee Member, Greater Shepparton Coalition of Australian Governments Trial, 2003-2006.

Sport:

• President, Rumbalara Football Netball Club, Murray Goulburn Region, 1997-2021.
• Chairman, Victorian Aboriginal Football Foundation, 1999-2000.
• Inaugural Chair, National Indigenous Advisory Council, Australian Football League, since 2015.
• Co-Chair of the AFL National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council 2021
• Board Member, Murray Football League, current.

The Social Value of an Aboriginal Run Sporting Club:  The report was launched by the Centre for Sport and Social Impact on 7 June 2016 on the social value of an Aboriginal run sporting club.  For photos and more information, please refer to the Gallery section of the website.

Awards and Recognition include:

• Jack Titus Award, Australian Football League, 2022 for his endless drive to levelling the playing field for First Nations people.
• Boss True Leader, Australian Financial Review, 2019.
• Medal of the Order of Australia, 2003.
• Centenary Medal, 2003.
• Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) 2024 for distinguished service to the Indigenous community, to social welfare through economic inclusion and reconciliation, and to sporting organisations.