Tara Dever

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads) (19:08): I  congratulate the CEO of Mindaribba Land Council, Tara Dever, who recently celebrated eight years in her role. During that time Tara has strengthened Mindaribba's community partnerships and her relationships with a range of New South Wales government departments, including health, education and communities and justice, as well as training and employment services across the Maitland community. Maitland has one of the State's highest proportions of Aboriginal identified constituents, and our community is so fortunate to have Tara at the head of Mindaribba. I have often turned to her for advice, inspiration and connection. Tara's strong leadership saw her named as Maitland's 2019 Woman of the Year, but her compassionate, empathetic leadership has continued well beyond that. Tara's strength and support for our entire community was especially important over the past 12 months, and I thank her for her ongoing and gracious contribution to public life in Maitland.