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New board appointment for Auspire – Australia Day Council WA

  • 1 July 2020

Auspire – Australia Day Council is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Rabia Siddique as a Non-Executive Director to the Auspire board. In 2015 Rabia was nominated for an Australian of the Year award and in 2016 was recognised as a WA finalist for her role as a human rights lawyer who successful negotiated release of two SAS soldiers from Iraqi insurgents, before British authorities buried her achievements while awarding her male colleague with a Military Cross. In a landmark discrimination case, Rabia fought the UK Ministry of Defence and now champions equality for all.

“As a committed human rights advocate and highly respected lawyer and businesswoman, Rabia will bring a wealth of experience and insight to the organisation.” said Auspire Chairman, Bradley Woods.

Auspire is part of the national network of eight state and territory Australia Day Councils around the country responsible for the governance, management and selections for the prestigious Australian of the Year Awards, with the Western Australian division overseen by the WA Board. Its other work delivers across a number of areas including civics and citizenship, education, reconciliation and capacity-building training programs established to promote and encourage diversity, inclusiveness, social and cultural cohesion.

“As an Australian of the Year Alumni, I have had first-hand experience with Auspire, however it was only more recently their work in the capacity building space that focusses on inclusion, equality and building a sense of belonging caught my attention.” said Rabia. “If there was ever a time in our nation’s history that these concepts needed some fire-power it’s now. As such I was humbled to be approached and it will be an honour to serve as a member of the Board.”

Nominations for Australian of the Year 2021 are now open and can be submitted online at australinoftheyear.org.au/nominate

Photo credit – Stef King

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