Director of First Nations, Equity and Social Policy
With a career spanning both Federal and State government departments, Gavin Somers was previously manager of Aboriginal Employment and Cultural Inclusion at the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP). In this role Gavin oversaw the creation and implementation of a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural inclusion, cultural safety and employment initiatives for a workforce of over 5,000 staff.
Consolidating his reputation as a highly respected leader within Aboriginal communities across Victoria, Gavin collaborated closely with DELWP’s diversity and inclusion teams to ensure consistency with the organisation’s LGBQTI+, disability and culturally and linguistically diverse programs.
Gavin also remains a passionate supporter of the creative industries through his long-standing role as board member of Ilbijerri Theatre Company.
The Director of First Nations, Equity and Social Policy role was created by ACMI to align with its Reconciliation Action Plan and its commitment to building positive and reciprocal relationships with First Peoples that place them at the centre of Australian culture. The role will lead and support the museum to embed culturally safe practices for staff, visitors, and communities as it strives to deliver meaningful change and engagement across the organisation.
The role will support ACMI as it delivers on its commitment that its staff, programs, audiences, and collaborations will reflect the diversity of its community by focusing on First Nations, LGBQTI+, disability, gender and identity, people of colour and the culturally and linguistically diverse.