UWS Community Award recipient: Aunty Thelma Quartey

Aunty Thelma Quartey is a Torres Strait Islander person who has worked at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and established the Department’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network.

Aunty Thelma also lectured at UTS and Macquarie University on Torres Strait Island history, culture and people. She is a volunteer member of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and the Torres Strait Islander Advisory Board.  Aunty Thelma is also involved with the Australian Electoral Commission Indigenous Electoral Participation Program, encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to enrol to vote.  The Indigenous Electoral Participation Program conducts free education and information programs for community groups, schools and organisations in Australia.

She is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, in and beyond her work roles, and is committed to ensuring that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a voice in the community.

Photo: Sally Tsoutas