Because of her, we can! - Mayor Vonda Malone
Councillor Vonda Malone, Mayor, Torres Shire Council
Mayor Malone is a Torres Strait Islander born and raised on Thursday Island. In 2016 she became the first female mayor of Torres Shire Council. She is a recipient of the Centenary Medal and the NAIDOC Award of Excellence, and in 2018, Mayor Malone won the inaugural Mackinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year award.
Mayor Malone holds 22 years' experience with the Australian Government, which started with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade working in the Torres Strait, Canberra and New Zealand. She has extensive experience in Indigenous affairs and health holding senior positions addressing Closing the Gap initiatives across the Torres Strait and Cape York.
Mayor Malone is the founding Chairperson of Torres Health Indigenous Corporation, Director of Community Enterprise Queensland and member of the Telstra Advisory Committee. Mayor Malone is also a member of the Indigenous Reference Group for the Developing Northern Australia Initiative, supported by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.