Gary Oliver is the new honourary chairperson of the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT), bringing 21 years’ public service and experience as chairperson of Two Ways Together Regional Engagement Group to the new role.

Gary is of Kuku Yalangi descent from Cape York and now lives in Coffs Harbour, with his four children attending school in the city.

Of particular pride is the Aboriginal Legal Service Custody Notification Service, in which lawyers staff a 24-hour phone line, advising indigenous people of their rights and linking them with services and family to support them while in custody.

“One of the benefits that brings is that when they have got medication, the police won’t medicate them, they’re not a client of correctional health, so it’s a real grey area for diabetics, or people on mental health medications,” he said.

During his tenure, scheduled to last until June 2011, Gary plans to increase dialogue with state and federal government, secure greater funding, develop baseline data on how the service programs are performing, so that improvements can be better measured, as well as be a peak organisation supporting and advocating for indigenous communities.

His board colleagues and staff of the Aboriginal Legal Service will have an opportunity to see Coffs Coast for themselves, when all 180 arrive at Opal Cove for their annual conference in June 2010.