Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation is committed to maintaining a culturally diverse workplace, by creating jobs and career pathways for Aboriginal people. We also aim to attract passionate people from the broader community who support Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation’s vision. If you have an interest in working for our organisation, please contact us.
Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation is governed by a Board of Directors which is comprised of representatives from our Member Organisations. The Board operates in accordance with a Board Charter and Rule Book which empowers them to make decisions concerning the strategic direction of the corporation. The Board generally meets bi-monthly and is supported by a secretariat.
Robyn Regattieri is the Business Manager for Top End Aboriginal Bush Broadcasting Association (TEABBA), a position she has held for 15 years. Robyn holds various qualifications inclusive of Business Administration, Project Management and Training and Assessment.
Prior to working with TEABBA, Robyn spent many years with the Department of Law, travelling to remote communities, working in courts administration within the Magistrates and Supreme Courts. Robyn is also one of the founding members on the board of the Northern Alliance which are representatives of Remote Indigenous Media Organisations across Australia.
Robyn, our current Chairperson has been a Director on the Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation Board since its inception on June 1st 2000.
Joe Brown is the Director of Community Engagement with the Department of Education, Northern Territory Government. He has worked for the Department of Education for 30 years at various levels, predominately in financial administration and community engagement fields. During this time Joe has worked with remote schools, students and their respective communities and families across the Northern Territory. Additionally, he was a member of the FEPPI Council, the council was established to provide high level advice to Minister for Education on Indigenous educational issues
Prior to joining the Department of Education, Joe completed an apprenticeship in Carpentry and worked for two years post trade as a carpenter. In addition Joe has served in the Australian Army Reserves for five years as a field engineer with 1 Combat Regiment.
Joe was born in Darwin and has lived all of his life in Darwin he has been well supported by the local community and feels that it is time he gave something back to community, hence the volunteering of his time on Boards within the NFP sector in Darwin
Joe is currently an Executive Director on the Board for the organisation of ‘Foundation of Rehabilitation with Aboriginal Alcohol Related Difficulties’ (FORWAARD), an organisation that is one of our founding Member Organisations. Joe sits as a Director on the Board of Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation representing FORWAARD.
Mr Halpin Hart was born in Katherine, Northern Territory, he is of the Jawoyn peoples in the Northern Territory. Halpin has been heavily involved with the Northern Territory Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation since its inception, and has been an avid supporter in their values with responding directly to the needs and concerns of members and families of the Stolen Generations.
Along with these achievements, Halpin was also a Deputy Chairman for approximately 10 years and was elected Chairperson in 2013-2014. Halpin is the current Chairperson for the Mulligas & Cudjeris group and is also on the Indigenous Advisory Committee at the Rosebery Middle School for Indigenous Culture.
With his impressive and extensive resume and years of experience, Halpin brings a wide range of knowledge to the team and fits in perfectly to the culture and ethical values we have here Ironbark.
Regina Bennett is the Manager of the Darwin Aboriginal and Islander Women’s Shelter Incorporated (DAIWS), a position she has held for over 10 years. Prior to her involvement with DAIWS, Regina worked in roles with the NT and Commonwealth Governments for over 20 years, inclusive of sitting on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).
Regina has gained tertiary qualifications in Indigenous Leadership through the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre. Regina has a passion to help people and generously gives her time to be involved at Board level for a number of Darwin based Indigenous organisations.
Regina, our current Deputy Chairperson has been a Director on the Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation Board since its inception on June 1st 2000.
Jerome is a Larrakia and Wadjigan man who was born and raised on Larrakia country. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Major in Politics and Minor Development Studies) from the University of Melbourne.
He has a diverse professional career, having worked in the NFP sector, the private sector, within the Northern Territory Government and now with an industry representative body that supports and advocates for Aboriginal owned businesses across the Northern Territory.
Jerome is the President of the Wanderers Football Club in the NTFL, during his time as President, he is proud to have overseen the implementation of Basic Card facilities in the club so that members were able to participate in a sport they love.
Recently, Jerome was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN). He is keen to grow the membership of Aboriginal owned and operated business across the Northern Territory and advocate on their behalf across all levels of government and industry. Jerome believes that through Aboriginal people’s economic independence and empowerment, we will see Aboriginal people begin to tackle negative social indicators that are frequently reported in the media.
In 2019 Jerome and his partner Jasmin competed in the ‘Amazing Race Australia’, travelling around the world to cross the finish line at Darwin and Katherine in 2nd place. They were proud to wear the Aboriginal Flag as their team uniform, representing the Northern Territory and Aboriginal people across Australia. They wanted to challenge stereotypes, be positive representatives and inspire other young Aboriginal people to believe in themselves and dream big.
Jerome is a Director of Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation (LNAC), one of our member organisations. Jerome is a Director on the Board of Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation (Ironbark) representing LNAC. He looks forward to contributing to the continued success of Ironbark.
Rus is a Djugan man and member of the Yawuru people from the Broome area, Western Australia, however was born and raised in Darwin, Northern Territory.
Rus studied at Flinders University in South Australia and holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Science, Psychology and Law. Rus has held senior roles in government, higher education, Aboriginal community controlled and private sectors.
He has a keen interest in Indigenous business development and employment and is currently employed in the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT in the policy, advocacy and research unit with a focus on improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Islander Territorians.
Sonya is a proud Eastern Arrernte Woman from Central Australia. Having lived most of her life in the
Northern Territory, working in various States and Territories within Australia. Sonya has an extensive
knowledge in Administration and is a competent and confident user of software and computer
knowledge. Sonya juggles her work commitments with ease alongside raising three children.
Sonya has volunteered her expertise and knowldege on a variety of committees and councils, such as
the Local School Councils, Athletics committees and Girl Guides. She later went on to become a Girl
Guide Leader for seven years. Additionally, Sonya has been a Board member on the Central Australian
Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) & Minbuni Childcare Centre.
Sonya started working at the Central Australia Aboriginal Legal Service in 2016 before commencing
with NAAJA in Central Australia then relocating to Darwin NAAJA 2020 where she currently works as
the Information Technology Officer.
Sonya is a proud and passionate Aboriginal woman who educates colleagues on her Aboriginal
heritage and culture. Her passion for Aboriginal land rights was demonstrated through her
commtiment and dedication with her involvement with the 1992 Tent Embassy, yearly NAIDOC
marches, and attendance at Law & Culture meetings.
Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation is managed by a strong Executive Management Team with extensive experience in effective delivery of economic, social and community programs.
Shaun Pearce is the Chief Executive Officer at Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation, a position he has held since 2015. He is responsible for leading the organisation and its various subsidiaries through the challenges of the modern business landscape, in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors.
He is a leader with purpose and determination, this is evident in the growth of the Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation group, since he has been with the group. With his trademark determination, drive and will to succeed, Shaun has grown, expanded and diversified the organisation from what was
considerably a much smaller business to what it is today, a large dynamic organisation with multiple avenues of business.
Shaun has been instrumental in resurrecting Aboriginal Bush Traders, a café and art space located on the ground floor of the Charles Darwin Centre, this social enterprise provides an avenue for Indigenous artists to participate in a mainstream commercial economy. Shaun has also been a key player in one of the organisations Joint Ventures, RapidClean NT progressing from a Joint Venture to now being 100 % owned by the organisation.
His vision for Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation, is for the organisation to continue to be a leading Indigenous owned corporation in the Darwin business landscape, although not solely in the Not-For-Profit space, Shaun continues to successfully develop commercial enterprises in the For-Profit space as well. With his tenacious and resolute management, the Ironbark Group is well on its way for his vision to being achieved.
Shaun has a passion for people, their development, and the protection of their mental health, he provides executive coaching, mentoring and self-improvement, with a focus on mental health.
Despite Shaun wishing he could ride off into the sunset on his Harley, he has his feet firmly on the ground in the Darwin business landscape with several board representations, the current board representations are.
• Chairperson on the Tourism Top End Board of Management
• President of Palmerston Regional Business Association Management Committee
• Board Member – NT Shelter Inc.
When Shaun is not working, he relaxes by spending time with his family, fishing, riding his Harley, reminiscing about his long-gone guitar playing days and watching his beloved Hawthorn, although he is not sure why he tortures himself each weekend in the AFL season.
Kirstine has worked in the Non-Government Organisation sector throughout her career from the Top End of the Northern Territory in Wadeye and Darwin and internationally in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
These roles have included experience in direct community consultations, small and large scale remote area residential, commercial and civil construction projects, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) development, management and support, remote logistics and procurement, governance, finance and human resources.
Kirstine holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences, a Graduate Certificate of International Relations, a Master of International and Community Development and a Diploma of Business (Governance).
Kirstine has significant experience as Economic Development Manager, Deputy CEO and Acting CEO for a large remote Indigenous corporation in the Thamarrurr region of the Northern Territory, following this as Operations Manager of a Darwin based refugee trauma and support centre.
While living in South East Asia for an extended period she held several roles including Administrative Director for a grassroots NGO in Cambodia dedicated to using break-dancing and hip-hop culture to educate, engage and support at risk youth.
Kirstine manages Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation’s Community Development Program, which includes Case Management, Employment and Post Placement Support and the Work for the Dole Activities division, in addition she manages Ironbark’s social enterprise, ‘Aboriginal Bush Traders’ a delightful café and retail space where Indigenous artists are able to participate in a mainstream commercial economy.
Brad was born and raised in Bunbury Western Australia, moving to the Northern Territory in 1983. Brad brings over 20 years’ experience working in Indigenous organisations across the Northern Territory, Queensland and Internationally.
Since coming to the Northern Territory, he has worked in a wide variety of industries, including, fishing, mining, hospitality, civil construction, and the pastoral sectors and has gained many years’ experience across a multitude of industries. He brings to Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation a wealth of knowledge from his 20 plus years of experience in working within communities and not-for-profit Aboriginal organisations.
As a lateral thinker, has a strong interest in establishing social enterprises, inclusive of Indigenous labour hire concepts.
With his extensive local knowledge and networks, he constantly strives to develop and achieve growth across our organisation. In his role as the Business Development Manager for Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation he brings a passion and drive to achieve not only growth and development across the Ironbark Structure, but also growth and development of Aboriginal and Indigenous people.
Brad has owned property in and around Batchelor community since arriving in the Northern Territory and recently been appointed as a member of the ‘Development Consent Authority for the Batchelor Division.
Brad is married with two sons and spends his free time with family and working around his properties.
Steven was born in Sydney, moved to Darwin as a young teenager, where he completed his senior schooling and going on to graduate from University in Darwin. He is a long term Darwin resident, with many ties to the community, one of these ties is the ‘Darwin Football Club, where he is the treasurer. He is a proud father of two children and grandfather of one.
Steven was recently awarded a Fellow Membership of CPA Australia, acknowledging Steve’s significant accounting experience in industry, with at least 5 of these years being at executive level.
Bringing with him a wealth of knowledge from his 15 plus years’ of experience in working within communities, not-for-profit Aboriginal organisations and a Commonwealth Statutory Authority within the Top End of the NT.
Steven is a fully qualified CPA Accountant with almost 30 years’ experience in accounting, management, corporate governance and risk management functions. He has held senior management positions reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and fully elected board members. Steven brings invaluable experience in working in urban, regional and remote localities in the top end.
Not only does Steve possess high level technical accounting skills, he has an eye for detail and strives for continuous improvements to processes and practices.
Prior to commencing with Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation, Steven was the Chief Executive Officer of a resource centre in the Daly River/Wadeye region providing essential services and housing maintenance to 7 remote outstations.
Diana was born in Alice Springs and has lived and worked in regional and remote locations throughout the Territory and overseas. Diana has experience across a range of industries both in Government and the private sector in addition to owning and operating her own business.
Diana’s formal qualifications include but are not limited to a Master of Business Administration and Graduate Certificate in Financial Investigation. Diana is a lifelong learner and continues to study in the areas of Law and Human Resource Management. In 2021, Diana was awarded the Cullen Macleod Contract Law II Prize.
Diana has held senior management positions up to the level of Chief Executive Officer, in both large corporations and small business across the profit and not-forprofit sectors. Diana’s background will enable Ironbark Services NT to diversify and develop successful commercial enterprise that will provide opportunity for ongoing Aboriginal business development.
