Members Portal
Members Portal

ABOUT US

The South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network (SAACCON) is a representative body made up of South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and peak bodies.

View SAACCON Strategic Plan 2025

Who we are

SAACCON – State-based representative body made up of over 30 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and peak bodies across South Australia.

As the collective voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations in South Australia, SAACCON exists to strengthen, support and advocate for culturally responsive services and systems that meet the needs of our people. We work to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are central to decision-making processes that affect our communities, and that our knowledge, leadership and experiences shape the policies, programs and services designed to Close the Gap.

We represent our member organisations in partnership with the Coalition of Peaks and work with the South Australian, Commonwealth and Local Governments to ensure commitments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are honoured. We play a critical role in holding governments accountable, driving shared decision-making, and embedding the voices of our communities at the heart of government policy and reform.

SAACCON works to ensure the rights and aspirations of our people are met by:

  • • Supporting our member organisations to continue delivering culturally safe and effective services
  • • Working with the Coalition of Peaks to influence policy and legislative reform at state and national levels
  • • Fostering strong, respectful partnerships with governments to shape meaningful and accountable action on Closing the Gap
  • • Providing a collective voice for our member organisations to influence systemic change
  • • Ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are central to the decisions that affect their lives and communities
  • • Encouraging collaboration with those who share our commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
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At the heart of our work is the belief that the future of our communities is best shaped by our people. We are driven by a shared commitment to self-determination, cultural strength, and equity for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in South Australia.

Purpose
To represent, advocate for, support, and strengthen the South Australian ACCO sector as a key driver of self-determination for Aboriginal communities and people.
Mission
We work in genuine partnership with government, leading the systemic change needed to overcome entrenched inequality – existing gaps – in life outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in South Australia.
Vision
Our people lead long, healthy, safe and happy lives that are connected to Country, culture, community and kin, and free from racism.

Secretariat

SAACCON is led by the nominated Lead and Co-Convenors and supported by the Secretariat.

SAACCON is, and will remain, an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO). We maintain and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander independence and autonomy in decision-making, supporting South Australian ACCOs in their service delivery. We must work with other ACCOs to share information, promote fair and equitable representation of our communities and ensure that our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities receive the highest standard of services and support from service providers.

Scott Wilson is CEO of ADAC, the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (South Australia). He is also an Associate Professor & Co-Director at NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence: Indigenous Health & Alcohol at The University of Sydney, board member of the Penington Institute in Melbourne & committee member of Justice Reinvestment SA. Scott’s personal & professional experience in substance misuse has made him a valued member of nearly every major governmental & non-governmental committee in Australia for over 20 years.

Christine, a proud Ngarrindjeri woman, is General Manager of the SA Aboriginal Education and Training Consultative Council and previously worked at the Women’s and Children’s Health Network Centre for Education and Training, including on the development and implementation of staff cultural competencies training.

The Office of the Secretariat

 The SAACCON Secretariat Staff provides support services for the network

Christine is a Warumungu, Kaytetye woman from the Northern Territory and a Ballardong descendant.  She has lived most of her life in Darwin and moved to Adelaide in 2003.  Most of her experience has been in government managing projects across health, aged care, disability, employment and she managed the Darwin Aboriginal and Islander Women’s Shelter for 12 months before leaving to study Law.  Christine completed her Law degree at Flinders University and in 2022 a Master of Business Administration at the University of Adelaide.  Christine is driven by her desire to bring about change for Aboriginal people through the breaking down of systemic barriers.

Nikki is a proud Badimia / Yamatji woman who was born and raised on Kaurna Land. I am dedicated to working to drive positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in South Australia and across the country. I have skills and experience in Aboriginal engagement, policy development, strategic planning, and research across government agencies, ACCOs and research institutes. I have a strong commitment to reshaping systems that don’t meet the needs of Aboriginal people.

I joined SAACCON in September as a secondee from the Department for Education to progress actions in the Education sector. In addition, I’ve stepped into the role as Manager, Priority Reforms leading an incredible team responsible for the Place-Based Partnership, Community Data Project and ACCO growth projects.

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Sage is a proud Yankunytjatjara and Arrernte woman, having spent most of my life on Ngadjuri and Kaurna Land.
I have a background in teaching and Aboriginal education, working with schools around cultural awareness and embedding First Nations perspectives in the curriculum, plus leading projects under Closing the Gap with the Department for Education. I have also spent pockets of time as a Ministerial Liaison for the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and as the Aboriginal Engagement Consultant for the Attorney-General’s Department. Most recently, I have returned from a year of living and teaching in my family’s remote community, Aputula, NT, before joining SAACCON for 2025.
Douglas Jnr is a strong Aboriginal man who comes to us from the Attorney Generals Department where he has been working at Victims of Crime SA. He has a background in Aboriginal Affairs, Aboriginal Health and Research and Aboriginal community engagement. Douglas is also current SA Voice to Parliament member.

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James works at the intersection of policy, partnerships, and system-wide reform. With a background in SA Health and organisational governance, James has developed and led partnerships frameworks aligned to Closing the Gap, supported executive committees and peak body reform, and is passionate about shaping a culturally safe system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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Ashleigh is a Wirangu woman from Ceduna on the Far West Coast of South Australia. Her work at SAACCON is supported by her experience, from leading Indigenous Education Programs within the not-for-profit sector, to working in natural resource management and conservation as a Park Ranger. She is a purpose-driven individual who is guided by the needs of community and dedicated to the Closing the Gap outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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I am a proud Torres Strait Islander man from Moonta on Narungga Country, and I am thrilled to join the SAACCON team as Community Data Lead.

I bring a strong background in public health, having worked as an epidemiologist before moving into SA Health, where I held roles across Data Analytics and Insights and the Aboriginal Health Branch. Specialising in data analysis and governance, project management, and policy development, with a deep focus on understanding the interconnectedness of data and how to effectively drive better outcomes.

My goal is to leverage this experience across research, Indigenous data, and the public sector to support meaningful, practical translation of community voices, priorities, and needs. Central to my work is a strong commitment to Indigenous Data Sovereignty, ensuring these principles are embedded in our practices, partnerships, and ways of working—so data empowers communities rather than speaking over them.

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Liz is an Adnyamathanha woman from the Far North Flinders Ranges. I have been working at SAACCON for 2 months now. I previously worked in the Australian Public Service for 28 years (most of this time based in Alice Springs), then Pika Wiya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation for 10 years and a number of small Aboriginal Corporations up to now.

I’ve always worked in Aboriginal Affairs, from my first job as an Aboriginal Teacher’s Aide right up to this present day. I have had the benefit of working in regional and remote areas right across Australia and have met many Aboriginal people and made lots of lasting friendships.