New leader named for state’s APY Lands after damning report
A new manager has been named for the state’s 103,000km2 APY Lands after the controversial suspension of its leadership team earlier this year.
Senior indigenous governance and community development leader Trent Wilkinson has been appointed as the new general manager of the 103,000km2 of the state’s Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY).
His appointment follows a tumultuous time for the APY Lands after its leadership team was controversially suspended and an administrator appointed until December 4 this year.
Wilkinson takes over the top job after Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher named SA Film Corporation board member and experienced company director Austin Taylor as administrator for the state’s APY Lands in September.
Maher had suspended the board when a controversial report emerged showing a general manager appointment had breached the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands code of conduct.
Conciliator Greg Rooney’s report was tabled in State Parliament criticising the appointment and saying a recruitment process was a “waste of $32,580 of APY and government funds”.
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Wilkinson had now started in the new role on December 1, with an APY announcement saying he has more than three decades of experience working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia.
His background spans Indigenous governance, land and heritage conservation, cultural tourism, enterprise development, remote program delivery and cross-cultural community engagement.
He was managing director of Indigenous Economic Development Pty Ltd, providing governance support, enterprise development, participatory planning and organisational mentoring to Aboriginal organisations nationally.
Wilkinson has also held senior roles with Indigenous organisations, including General Manager of Njanjma Aboriginal Corporation and Business Development Manager at Djabulukgu Association Incorporated (DAI), as well as program and project roles with the Northern Territory and Queensland governments.
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APY said it hoped Wilkinson’s breadth of experience and proven ability to deliver community-led outcomes would underpin a stable, transparent and future-focused organisation.
Wilkinson said he was energised by the opportunity to support the executive board and Anangu communities to build and strengthen APY’s operations.
“With a lifelong commitment to land, culture and heritage conservation, I am humbled by the opportunity to work alongside the APY Executive Board and staff to protect and strengthen the natural and cultural values of the 103,000 square kilometres that make up the APY Lands,” Mr Wilkinson said.
“The warm welcome I’ve received from Anangu, APY staff, RASAC, Nganampa Health, Ernabella Arts and so many others has been deeply appreciated. It’s clear there is pride, passion and determination here, and look forward to contributing to a positive future for the Anangu not yet born.”
Mr Wilkinson said one of his first priorities was building a strong and confident APY Executive Board, backed by consistent governance, operational stability and measurable outcomes for communities.
He said growing commercial and social enterprise opportunities will be central to strengthening economic participation and creating long-term employment on country.
“Commercial and social enterprise development is the sincerest pathway to self-determination and financial independence,” he said.
“My focus will be on opening new pathways for Anangu to live, work and build careers on country, while ensuring cultural authority remains at the centre of decision-making.”
Mr Wilkinson will work closely with the APY Executive Board, community councils, regional partners and service organisations to strengthen governance, rebuild confidence and support Anangu-led priorities across land management, youth development, culture, infrastructure, and enterprise.
