Australian Rural & Regional News, 20 March 2024:
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Yamba resident and proud Yaegl woman, Diane Randall, has been elected to the NSW Aboriginal Land Council as the North Coast representative, one of two new faces on the council elected to protect the interests and further the aspirations of its members and the Aboriginal community.
The NSW Electoral Commission officially declared the outcome of the statewide election last Tuesday, with Ms Randall joined on the Land Council by new member, Ray Kelly, who represents the Sydney/Newcastle areas.
In her first nomination as North Coast representative, Ms Randall defeated incumbent North Coast member, Dallas Donnelly, and Tina Williams in the ballot.
“When I thought about running, I thought I would just have a go, because I knew that I was up against my cousin Tina Williams and Dallas Donnelly,” she said.
“After it was announced that I was the new North Coast Councillor I felt a lot of emotions, but I was mainly excited for the new challenge ahead.”
As a councillor for the North Coast, Ms Randall said she will represent 13 Local Aboriginal Land Councils where she has family: Baryulgil Square, Birrigan Gargle, Bogal, Casino-Boolangle, Grafton Ngerrie, Gugun Gudduba, Jali, Jana Ngalee, Jubullum, Muli Muli, Ngulingah, Tweed/Byron, and Yaegl.
Through her community involvement over the years, Ms Randall has been on boards including the Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation, the Birrigan Gargle LALC, the Yaegl Elders Aboriginal Corporation and the Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation.
Ms Randall was also on the board of the Birrigan Gargle Local Aboriginal Land Council LALC for nine years and was the Birrigan Gargle LALCs chairperson for eight years, which she said provided her with invaluable knowledge on LALCs she intends to apply in her position as North Coast councillor.....
