YSRC Events

YSRC Annual General Meeting

The Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation (YSRC) wishes to advise of the outcome of the recent expression-of-interest process for the vacant Member Expert Director position that was to be considered by the Members at the AGM 2025.

A number of expressions of interest were received with information provided by each applicant concerning their prospective eligibility. All applications received were duly assessed in accordance with the requirements and process set out in the YSRC Constitution. Upon conclusion of the process and based on the information provided by the applicants, none of the applicants were assessed as satisfactorily meeting the YSRC Constitution’s eligibility requirements to warrant their consideration by the Members at the AGM.

As a result, 1 Member Expert Director position on the YSRC Board will remain vacant. The Board will consider inviting expressions-of-interest for the role from prospectively eligible applicants with a view to making an interim “casual” appointment.

YSRC thanks all applicants for their interest and acknowledges the time and effort contributed through the nomination process.

AGM 2025
Member Representative Director Candidates

The following candidates have been assessed as eligible and will be presented to Members for consideration at the AGM:

Ryan Chapman

Community: Yamatji Nation Member

As a proud Yamatji Nation member, Ryan’s nomination is motivated by a genuine commitment to contribute his professional capabilities to support strong governance, sustainable growth, and culturally grounded decision-making for YSRC and its Members.

Ryan Chapman is an experienced finance executive, strategic leader, and Fellow of CPA Australia with more than 15 years of post-qualification experience across governance, organisational transformation, financial stewardship, and community-focused service delivery.

Ryan currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Strategic Coach at Chorus Australia, a $40M not-for-profit organisation supporting more than 6,000 vulnerable community members across Western Australia. His leadership has delivered significant improvements in financial sustainability, organisational culture, safety outcomes, workforce capability, and customer satisfaction. He has overseen major transformation initiatives, managed multimillion-dollar strategic projects, and supported a workforce of over 440 staff and 200 volunteers. His career has centred on empowering people to remain connected to their communities, especially seniors, people living with disability, and those on mental health recovery journeys.

With extensive experience presenting to boards, preparing governance papers, and overseeing compliance with ACNC, ASIC, and funding body requirements, Ryan brings a solid governance foundation from the senior executive perspective. He has developed governance frameworks, risk systems, and financial oversight structures, and understands the distinct responsibilities of directors—focusing on accountability, strategic oversight, cultural integrity, and long-term organisational sustainability. He has held senior roles in aged care, community services, commercial operations, and earlier international finance roles across London and the UK.

As a Member Representative Director, Ryan seeks to contribute strong financial literacy, strategic planning capability, and culturally aligned leadership to support YSRC’s governance and strategic direction. He is committed to transparent communication, thoughtful decision-making, and ensuring the Board remains closely connected to the voices and priorities of Yamatji Members. His skills, values, and dedication to community outcomes position him as a capable and mission-driven candidate.

Rodney Little

Community/Country: Wilunyu and Whadjuk man of the Yamatji and Noongar peoples

Rod Little is a highly respected Aboriginal leader with more than three decades of senior experience across First Nations governance, cultural integrity, strategy, and community representation. A Wilunyu and Whadjuk man, Rod has built a national profile through his work in Native Title, government policy, organisational leadership, and community advocacy. He grew up in Geraldton and has lived experience and deep cultural knowledge of Yamatji peoples and Country, and having served as a lead negotiator in the Southern Yamatji Indigenous Land Use Agreement and as a long-term representative on the Amangu Native Title Claimant Group.

Rod’s career spans influential executive and governance roles at the local, state, national, and international levels. He has served as Co-Chair and Executive Director of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, Chairperson of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, CEO of the ACT Aboriginal Justice Centre, and senior leader within multiple Commonwealth government agencies. As Chair and Co-Owner of the Burbangana Group, he continues to provide professional services in governance, leadership, coaching, policy, evaluation, and high-level stakeholder engagement for communities, government, and industry sectors.

Across his various Board and committee appointments, Rod has developed strong expertise in audit and risk, people and culture, quality and safety, financial oversight, and strategic planning. He is an Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) alumnus, a certified organisational coach, and the recipient of national and international awards for governance, coaching and empowerment. His leadership is widely recognised for being values-driven, culturally grounded, outcomes-focused, and committed to uplifting First Nations communities.

Rod brings a proven track record in negotiating complex agreements, strengthening organisational governance, facilitating culturally safe engagement, and advocating for First Nations rights and interests. He continues to be deeply committed to his people and contributing to the strategic growth, prosperity, and long-term success of the Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation and its Members, and seeks to bring his experience, integrity, and vision to the YSRC Board as a Member Representative Director.

Sheree Strauss

Community/Country: Nanda Country

Sheree Strauss is a proud Aboriginal woman who lives and works on Nanda Country and brings a diverse and well-rounded blend of cultural, professional, and governance experience. She has built her career across multiple sectors including land management, cultural heritage, community development, parliamentary governance, legal support services, and small business operations.

Sheree currently serves as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnership Manager for Bush Heritage Australia across the Midwest and South West regions of Western Australia. In this role, she leads the delivery of Bush Heritage’s 2030 strategy through strong partnerships with Traditional Custodian groups, facilitating access to Country, coordinating Aboriginal Heritage Surveys, and supporting conservation and land management initiatives. Her work closely aligns with community aspirations and strengthens on-the-ground capacity for cultural and environmental outcomes.

Her background includes significant experience within the Queensland Parliamentary Service, where she contributed to multi-disciplinary project teams delivering parliamentary inquiries, committee hearings, regional parliament events, youth leadership programs, reconciliation initiatives, and NAIDOC activities. She developed a solid understanding of corporate governance, legislative processes, strategic planning, and public-sector accountability.

Sheree has also worked extensively within the justice system as a Court Support Officer with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (Qld) Ltd. In this frontline role, she supported clients, families, Elders, and community organisations to navigate complex justice processes. Her outstanding service in this area was recognised with the Lisa Watson Memorial Award for commitment to social justice, care, and respect.

In addition to her public and community-sector experience, Sheree spent more than a decade operating her own small business, Kingaroy Caterers. Through this she developed practical experience in business management, budgeting, financial reporting, marketing, staff supervision, and grant acquittals—skills that translate directly into governance and decision-making responsibilities.

Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Laws, along with formal training in Work Health & Safety, Hospitality, and Commercial Cookery. Sheree also completed the Milpirri Emerging Leadership Program and has led youth parliament initiatives, demonstrating her passion for nurturing future Indigenous leaders.

Sheree is committed to cultural integrity, transparent governance and strong community outcomes. Her professional experience, cultural knowledge and legal training position her well to contribute effectively as a Member Representative Director on the YSRC Board.