Lois Peeler

Lois has extensive experience in Aboriginal Affairs, having worked at the community, corporate and public sector levels. Her experience includes all facets of Aboriginal community development including government, policy development, program implementation, project management, capacity building, employment and education.

Lois worded for sixteen years at a senior level within Federal and State Government departments managing Aboriginal Affairs. Lois' experience included being the first Aboriginal Liaison Officer with the former Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands (now Department of Sustainability and Environment) where she managed the first Aboriginal Ranger Training Program involving twelve Aboriginal Rangers from across Victoria. Later she became Manager of the Aboriginal Employment unit of the former Victorian Public Service Board. She became an elected official of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission serving four consecutive terms. She served as the elected Chairperson of the Binjirru Regional Council for two consecutive terms. Lois was a director of the Indigenous Land Corporation and a Director of Land Enterprise Australia. Until recently, Lois was Chairperson of Aboriginal Tourism Australia, a national association for indigenous tourism operators.

Lois recently completed a term on the Board of Parks Victoria.

Lois has a strong interest in Aboriginal history and culture and in collaboration with others has published the Yorta Yorta Language Heritage. Her recent work with the Shepparton City Council and the Fairley Foundation resulted in the publication of the Aboriginal Oral History of the Shepparton Flats.