Freya Jansens – MBA
Public policy, International relations advisor:
Freya Jansens has supported ASSIPJ with policy writing and field development capacity building since 2019. Freya attained a Masters of Business in the Administration (MBA) from the University of Oxford as a General Sir John Monash Scholar, a Rotary Global Grant Scholar, and a Forte Fellow.
Freya represented the University of Oxford in the global Map the System Systems Thinking competition and was part of the winning team for a research project on violence against women and modern slavery in Papua New Guinea. She has published her research in the Australian Journal of Political Science and is an experienced gender policy analyst.
Freya has previously worked in the Australian Federal Government and studied at the University of Sydney, with a focus on public policy and international relations.
Freya’s ongoing community development work, specifically regarding the Pacific labour mobility schemes, has expanded ASSIPJ opportunities and reach with the development and implementation of social impact initiatives derived from a strong cultural framework for First Nations and Pacific communities.
Sylviana Malapa
Cultural Translator:
Sylviana is an indigenous woman and a daughter of Amel Lil Nasara in the tribe of Northwest Malekula island in Vanuatu. Sylviana is a cultural advisor and has amassed a wealth of experience (over 15 years) in working across Pacific Island Communities in Australia.
Adding to her experience of Cultural Advisor, Sylviana is also an interpreter and a translator, working mainly in English, French, Bislama (Vanuatu) and Pidgin (Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands).
Sylviana’s portfolio includes but not limited to working with Federal and States governments – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Community Services and Department of Justice – Seasonal Workers, including private sector and local community at large.
Sylviana is also providing crucial translation and interpretation work to media outlets such as SBS and ABC platforms.
Joe Sproats – MA, M Soc Pol, Dip Hosp, Cert 1V TAE; MAPS, AIPA
Health, Tourism & Employment Advisory:
Joe is a contract psychologist with Ngarigo Nation Indigenous Corporation (NNIC) who works with remote communities providing counselling clinics through Wakai Waian Healing, an Indigenous Psychology company based in Rockhampton. Joe is also the scribe with NNIC where he collects, stores and writes stories on Ngarigo people whose Country includes the Monaro Plains and Snowy Alps.
Joe has also been working professionally with First Nations people for the last thirty years in community consulting and training and is himself an Australian South Sea Islander descendant from Lifou Island.
Joe is currently a judge with the Queensland Tourism Awards and member of the First Nations Tourism Plan Working Group (Expert Advisor) with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council. With his wife Jennie, Joe previously operated Dreamtime Learning from the Noorla Resort in Ingham, training Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people in hospitality, tourism, business and mentoring.
Awarded: Highly Commended Winner, Queensland Reconciliation Awards (Business) (2015), North Queensland Tourism Awards ‘Hall of Fame Hosted and Operated Accommodation’ (2009, 2001 & 1997), Australian Tourism Awards Standard Accommodation (2007, 2009), Gold Award in Heritage Conservation (2007). Nomination: Outstanding excellence in Heritage Conservation, National Trust Queensland (2007).
Naomi Grossett – BA hons, PGDip, MSc
Youth Link Networks Director, Sustainable Development:
Naomi is an MSc Sustainable Development graduand from The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. She has worked with ASSI-PJ since August 2019 as a Project Coordinator and advisor for the Sugar Fest Oceanic Culture History & Music.
Naomi‘s focus is Youth Empowerment and has experience working across Asia, Africa and the UK on various projects that aim to improve education, health provisions, and income generation for marginalised young people. Naomi is the current Director of Youth Link Networks and project manages their Pretty Box Project which aims to provide schoolgirls with reusable sanitary pads to improve school attendance and hygiene. The project has successfully reached over 2000 young people and reduced the female school drop out rate by 100% at the schools they have worked with in Uganda.
Naomi has worked for other development charities and youth focused organisations including ADRA-UK, St Andrews Youth Club, and Beats Learning all of which have broadened her understanding of the needs of poor young people in developed and developing countries globally.
Naomi is committed to helping improve the lives of young Indigenous Australians through ASSI-PJ and continues to offer support when required.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
2018- 2021 MSc Sustainable Development SOAS University, University of London 2010- 2011 Diploma in Acting for Film New York Film Academy
2006- 2009 2:1 BA (Hons.) Drama and Theatre Arts Goldsmiths College, University of London Other relevant certificates: 2020 GDPR Data Protection Training
2020 Prince2 foundation Certificate 2019 SAFEcic International Child Safeguarding
Dr Marie Geissler – PhD
Comms Advisor & Historian:
Dr Geissler draws from a 20-year experience in journalism and corporate relations specialising in the architecture, design, business, heritage, science, investment arts, Aboriginal art, not-for-profit and the education sectors. Dr Marie Geissler is an art and cultural historian with a specialist interest in Indigenous Australian art and Australian South Sea Island culture.
Dr Geissler is a Visiting Associate Researcher at the University of Wollongong, a senior Associate Researcher at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, a consultant to the University of New England on their NERAM Aboriginal art collection and acts in an advisory capacity to the UTS Law School’s Indigenous Knowledge Forum.
Dr Geissler re-joined the ASSIPJ Strategic planning team in 2018 however assisted in their projects from 2013-2016. As a member of ASSIPJ cultural advisory body and Wisdom Circle in 2021 she co-produced with Waskam Emelda Davis and Dr Anne Poelina the 35 minute documentary Oceania Wisdom for a Climate Chance, which was screen globally on the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) platform in August 2021. She is a member of the ICOMOS Caring for Country Webinar Series and their Pacifica Group. She works closely with the ASSIPJ board on a range of cultural and human rights projects in advocating self-determination agendas for ASSI peoples.
Publications include: University of Wollongong, 2017, Arnhem Land Bark Painting: The Western Reception 1850–1990. PhD Dissertation. Arts 2019, ‘Cultural Tourism: Imagery of Arnhem Land Bark Paintings Informs Australian Messaging to the Post-War USA’. 8(2), 66; World Art 2019, ‘The Bark Painting of Arnhem Land, Australia: The Western reception 1960-1990’ Australian and New Zealand Journal of Art, December 2020. ‘Ulli Beier, The Aboriginal Arts Board and Aboriginal Self Determination’. The Making of Indigenous Australian Contemporary Art. Arnhem Land Bark Painting 1970-1990, 2021 Cambridge Scholars, UK. Arts 2021,‘ Contemporary Indigenous Australian Art and Native Title Land Claim’.10, 32. In production: Dreaming the Land. Aboriginal Art from Remote Australia, Thames and Hudson, London 2022.