The Aurora Education Foundation has appointed Yuin man and esteemed barrister Tim Goodwin as its new Board Chair.
Mr Goodwin — who played an integral role in the Yoorrook Justice Commission as a Junior Counsel Assisting, as well as one of the Junior Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory — has long worked to advance the rights of First Nations peoples.
In 2018, he received the Federal Attorney General's National Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year Award.
Assuming the role of Chair last month, he replaces Nyikina man and Aurora's first Indigenous Chair, Charles Prouse, who played a central role in shaping the organisation's evolution as an Indigenous-led institution.
"I am so excited to continue Aurora's important work and build on the legacy of outgoing Chair Charles Prouse," Mr Goodwin said, "who leaves Aurora stronger both culturally and organisationally".
Along with his work in the legal profession where he specialises in commercial and public law, Mr Goodwin has an extensive background across the not-for-profit sector and statutory authorities, serving on the boards of Museums Victoria, the Human Rights Law Centre, and the SharingStories Foundation.
His connection to Aurora spans nearly two decades, first becoming an Aurora intern in 2006 at the Central Land Council before becoming a Roberta Sykes Scholar in 2011 and completing a Master of Laws at Harvard Law School.
During these experiences Mr Goodwin witnessed the impact of Aboriginal land ownership, the social and structural challenges faced by communities, and the importance of supporting students throughout their education journey.
"I'm so pleased to welcome Tim as our Board Chair," Aurora CEO, Wiradjuri woman Leila Smith, said.
"He brings wisdom and care with the kind of mind and heart that lifts everyone around him. He understands how individual success can build collective strength, and I'm looking forward to what we'll achieve together and the impact we'll keep making in community".
Having joined the Aurora Board in 2023, Mr Goodwin assumes the role of Chair during a period of renewed momentum for Aurora, with the organisation looking to strengthen its alumni, policy, data and high school programs to best drive reform and improve educational outcomes for Indigenous students.
"Over the coming years, our focus will be on allowing Indigenous excellence to flourish," Mr Goodwin said.
"We will work to unlock this capacity, to use what we know and what we've learnt, and to participate in and advocate for the transformation of systems.
"I look forward to continue working with an amazing Board, our phenomenal and inspiring leader, Leila Smith, and her executive team, made up of a powerhouse of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people".
