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SAFC announces new Head of First Nations
27 March 2025
The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) is pleased to announce the appointment of senior and highly accomplished Aboriginal woman and arts professional Kirstie Parker as Head of First Nations.
A Yuwaalaraay Aboriginal woman from northwestern NSW, living in Adelaide on Kaurna yerta, Kirstie’s extensive leadership in community, not-for-profit and government settings spans more than 25 years and includes working closely within First Nations advocacy, policy development, journalism, tourism, the arts and more.
Kirstie is Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia, having been a non-executive director of the national not-for-profit organisation since May 2010, and runs her own independent First Nations consultancy.
Previously Kirstie has worked as Strategic Adviser to the Uluru Dialogue; Director – Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation within SA Government; CEO of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence; editor of national Indigenous newspaper The Koori Mail, and Director of Tandanya – National Cultural Institute in Adelaide. She was also elected Co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples.
Kirstie’s contribution to Australian society has been recognised through many awards and accolades, including a Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Australian Peacewoman Award (2015); finalist in the Inaugural 100 Women of Influence Awards (2012); joint winner of an Australian Human Rights Awards for Print Media (2008); inclusion on the SA Women’s Roll of Honour (2001); and a National Centenary Medal for service to the Indigenous and broader communities (2000). In 2018 she won the Queensland Literary Awards Unaipon Award for best unpublished manuscript by a First Nations writer.
Kirstie is also a signatory to the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart.
SAFC CEO Kate Croser said: “The SAFC is proud to be strengthening its support for the First Nations South Australian screen sector with the appointment of Kirstie Parker as the agency’s inaugural Head of First Nations.
“We are delighted to welcome Kirstie to this new senior executive role, building on our commitment to boosting and championing First Nations voices and stories, creating new opportunities for First Nations screen creatives and crew, and fostering a representative and inclusive screen culture and industry in South Australia.
“Kirstie brings to the agency impressive experience, a wealth of knowledge and deep networks locally and beyond. The SAFC team and I look forward to working with Kirstie to shape and drive the next exciting chapter of the SAFC’s First Nations Screen Strategy.”
Kirstie Parker said: “I’m very happy to be joining the SAFC, sharing – as I do – its values and commitment to elevating First Nations voices and stories and fostering a representative and inclusive screen culture and industry.
“First Nations perspectives and insights matter, especially at this critical and challenging time in Australia and globally. I see storytelling – and truth-telling – as vital to uplifting our voices and fostering better relationships with all who walk our lands. Increasing support, understanding and shared pride in First Nations people, cultures and languages can be transformative, nation-building, joyous. I am here for that.”
Kirstie starts in her role on 28 April.
Recruitment facilitated by Patricia Powell-Hughes of EP Australia.