Bunurong man, Jarrod West, has joined ANZSOG’s First Nations team as Senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisor.
Mr West (pictured) has a background in biodiversity and land management policy with Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, and working with Aboriginal Land Councils.
His experience as a boundary spanner, connecting traditional practice and knowledge to renew contemporary practice and policy, is something ANZSOG says it is excited about, as it increases its work in the First Nations space.
Mr West says that he is excited to be joining ANZSOG to help embed Indigenous knowledge into the organisation’s work in education, research and thought leadership for the public services of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
“This is not just about ticking boxes or meeting compliance standards; it is about fundamentally rethinking how we approach public administration,” he said.
“It is an invitation to transform the way we approach governance and public service. It challenges us to recognise the value of Indigenous knowledge systems, to listen deeply, and to act with humility and respect.
“We are on a journey to create a public service that truly reflects the diversity and richness of the communities it serves.
“As a proud Bunurong man from the Kulin Nation, I have dedicated my life to understanding our culture and safeguarding our Country.
“In our culture, Country is more than just land—it is the foundation of our existence, the source of our identity, and the keeper of our stories. Every element of our culture—our social structures, art, dance, song, governance, and stories—is intrinsically linked to how we care for Country, and how Country, in turn, cares for us. This reciprocal relationship is at the heart of our way of life, and it is a message that I have carried with me throughout my career.”
Mr West will join Sharon Nelson-Kelly as Senior Advisor in ANZSOG’s Melbourne office.
ANZSOG is committed to working with public services across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand to promote and prioritise the perspectives and contributions of First Peoples, through initiatives such as out First Nations Public Administration conferences, and our Working with First Nations: Delivering on the Priority Reforms program.
“We are also committed to better representation of Indigenous people in the public service, particularly at senior levels, and to providing leadership development opportunities for First Peoples, such as through our annual First Nations Scholarship,” it said in a statement.
“We are excited to have Jarrod on board to help lead this important work.”
ANZSOG has also announced three new appointments to its Board, all senior figures within Government or the university sector, with decades of experience in leadership roles.
The appointments are:
- Professor Sharon Pickering, Vice-Chancellor and President, Monash UniversityÂ
- Nicole Hurwood, NT Public Employment CommissionerÂ
- Jasmina Joldić PSM, Director General, Qld Dept of Justice and Attorney-GeneralÂ
ANZSOG Dean and CEO, Caron Beaton-Wells said the new appointments will further strengthen the Board as it guides ANZSOG through its new strategy and future growth.Â
“Our Board is a major asset for ANZSOG, thanks to the distinctiveness of our membership structure,” she said.
“Our Directors are highly engaged and invested in ANZSOG’s success; they provide strong strategic direction, recognising our unique position at the intersection of the university and public sectors, and our close relationships with our ten member governments.”
“I welcome our new Board members and look forward to working with them as we continue to build ANZSOG’s capacity to deliver the highest quality education, research, and thought leadership that meets the current and future needs of the public sector and the broader community.”
