The Russell Taylor Oration is an annual event that celebrates the achievements and contributions of prominent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the public service and aims to inspire the next generation of First Nations talent in the public sector.
Guest speaker: Terry Garwood, Deputy Secretary, First Peoples – State Relations and Special Adviser, Self-Determination, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victoria
-
Terry's bio:
Terry is one of the most senior Aboriginal public servants in the Victorian Public Service and has been an officer of the Victorian and Australian Public Service for over 42 years and worked across departments and agencies in Canberra, Melbourne, Wangaratta and Bendigo. Prior to his current role, Terry was Deputy Secretary, Land Services in the Department of Transport and Planning. Terry led over 500 staff in the areas of Registry of Titles, Land Information (Valuer-General, Surveyor-General and Cadastral Mapping, Geographic Placenames).
Terry has held a number of executive positions across the Victorian Public Service including Executive Director, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria for seven years, Executive Director, Freight, Logistics and Marine Division where he was responsible for freight and logistics policy for seven years. Terry was also a Regional Director, Loddon-Mallee and Hume Regions for the Department of Human Services for 10 years, responsible for the health, aged care, disability services, child protection and public housing programs – seven years based in Bendigo and three years based in Wangaratta.
Terry also served for 16 years in the Australian Public Service where he held senior operational and policy roles in the Aboriginal Development Commission, Aboriginal Hostels Ltd and the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education and Training in Melbourne and Canberra.
Terry is a member of the Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba and Wergaia peoples, grew up in Shepparton, studied at Latrobe University, Bendigo from where he received a Diploma of Arts (General Studies) and a Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) and was awarded a Distinguished Alumni medal in 2002. He served on the boards of the Aborigines Advancement League Inc, Camp Jungai Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd, Museum of Victoria for nine years, the Centenary of Federation Committee for five years, the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA Victoria) for six years and is a Fellow of IPAA. Terry was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2018 for distinguished public service. Terry Garwood was also inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll in 2018. Terry was recognised for his leadership, passion and commitment to community.
Terry has had an extremely varied public service career across service delivery and policy development with a strong focus on building collaborative relationships, delivery of government programs and advising on development and delivery of government policy.
About the Russell Taylor Oration
In remembrance of the late Russell Taylor AM, the Russell Taylor Oration continues to honour the achievements and contributions of esteemed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in the public service. Originally established to commemorate the exceptional service of former AIATSIS CEO Russell Taylor AM, this oration seeks to ignite inspiration among the upcoming generation of leaders.
Having retired as the CEO of AIATSIS in December 2016, Russell Taylor AM, held a distinguished position as one of the most senior Indigenous Commonwealth Public Servants. Russell held various Senior Executive Positions within the public sector throughout a remarkable career that spanned over two decades.
Each year as we gather for the Russell Taylor Oration, we acknowledge and pay tribute to Russell's enduring leadership legacy, his unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, his invaluable contributions to the Australian nation, and his remarkable service to the Commonwealth Australian Public Service.
Mr Russell Taylor OAM was the longest serving CEO and Principal of AIATSIS having served two terms, the first from 1997 to 2003, and the second from 2009 to 2016.
Mr Russell Taylor OAM was the longest serving CEO and Principal of AIATSIS having served two terms, the first from 1997 to 2003, and the second from 2009 to 2016.
