The Commission recognises we are visitors to the country we travel across and work in and that many of our Local Commissioners are Traditional Owners and Elders of their communities. The Commission acknowledges and pays our respects to the Traditional Owners, Elders and Teachers of these lands; to those of the past whose unseen hands guide the actions and decisions of the Commissioners today; to those of the present working for their communities setting the example for the next generation and to those of the future, the Elders not yet born who will inherit the legacy of our efforts.
Commissioner Dawn APLIN (Waanyi Clan) was born in Burketown. She moved to Doomadgee as a young child where she attended the Doomadgee State School until she completed Year 7. She then moved to Malanda to attend the Malanda State High School to complete years 8 and 9. After she completed her schooling Commissioner Aplin moved back to Doomadgee and commenced working. Commissioner Aplin’s work experience includes working for the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council as a Pay Clerk for 11 years, and for the Community Development Employment Projects program as a Sign-up Officer. Since 2016 Commissioner Aplin has been working at 54 Reasons. Commissioner Dawn Aplin has five children, three boys and two girls, is a grandmother of 18 grandchildren and a great grandmother of two great-grandchildren. She enjoys fishing in her spare time as well as going out on country with her family to camp and hunt. Commissioner Aplin feels committed to helping young parents in the community and this is what inspired her to become a Local Commissioner.
On 1 November 2019 Dawn Aplin was appointed as a Doomadgee Local Commissioner. Coupled with her employment at 54 Reasons, Commissioner Aplin sees her work as a Local Commissioner as being extremely important in aiding and guiding young families in the community.
Commissioner Elaine CAIRNS (Waanyi Lardil Clan) moved to Doomadgee from Mornington Island in 1969. She completed her junior education at Doomadgee State School before moving to Malanda to complete years 9 and 10. A mother of six, grandmother of 19 and great grandmother of eight, Commissioner Elaine Cairns has firm ties to several clans within the community and derives great joy from her extended family. A strong Indigenous woman, Doomadgee Commissioner Elaine Cairns worked as a cleaner and receptionist at the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council, served as Deputy Mayor from 2004 to 2007, acted as Mayor for six months in 2007 and was a Councillor from 2012 to 2016. Previously Doomadgee Commissioner Elaine Cairns spent one and a-half years as a chef at the Doomadgee Hospital, and nine and a-half years as a Centrelink agent before becoming a Councillor. She has also been involved with the Strong Women’s Group (formerly known as the Indigenous Women’s Forum) since 2004. In her capacity with the group she has travelled across Australia taking a stand against domestic violence towards Aboriginal women. Her view that strong Indigenous women can make a difference to the communities in which they live drives her ambition to contribute to building a better future for Doomadgee’s children. Commissioner Elaine Cairns loves reading, gardening and spending time out bush, fishing and camping. As a hobby she also enjoys composing and writing poems and songs.
Commissioner Guy DOUGLAS (Waanyi / Gangalidda Clans) has always lived in Doomadgee, apart from a year spent completing his education at Atherton State High School. He has worked as an Aboriginal Health Worker, Senior Community Worker, Police Liaison Officer, Project Worker at 54 Reasons (formally Save the Children) for the Doomadgee Deadly Homes Program and Health Services Manager for Gidgee Healing. Doomadgee Commissioner Douglas is currently employed at 54 Reasons as the Senior Community Worker. In this role Commissioner Douglas provides education and support to male community members and assists with facilitating programs that 54 Reasons run, including the Young Dad’s Program.
Commissioner Douglas is married to Cecilia, is father to six children and they have five grandchildren. Commissioner Douglas, along with his wife, has spent many years volunteering with young people in the community and as a leader of the local Brethren Church. He is also a board member of the Doomadgee Health Council. When he is not busy coaching the local women’s softball team, ‘The Bushfires’, he likes nothing better than to go back out on country to hunt, fish and camp. Doomadgee Commissioner Douglas is a firm believer that education must begin at home from a young age to form a strong foundation for the future.
Commissioner Christopher LOGAN (Garrawa Ghuthaarn / Takalaka Clans) was born in Normanton and educated at Normanton State School to Year 10, after which he moved to Doomadgee. Doomadgee Commissioner Christopher Logan is married to Eleanor Logan, herself a Local Commissioner, and together they have had three children of their own, raised another two from a young age, provided foster care for many more and have 15 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Commissioner Christopher Logan’s working life has included employment as a stockman, carpenter, Community Police Officer, a storeman at the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council and work at the Doomadgee retail store. He was a Councillor from 1992 to 1994 with the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council and Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council Deputy Mayor from 2008 to 2012. He has also driven trucks and has run the night patrol for the Doomadgee community. For many years Doomadgee Commissioner Christopher Logan was involved with the State Emergency Service and was second in charge. His strong belief in education and the importance of children attending school every day led in 2013 to his commencement in the initial role of School Attendance Supervisor at the Doomadgee State School, working directly alongside the Doomadgee State School Principal. He then went on to hold the position of Indigenous Education Leader at the Doomadgee State School until 2019. Commissioner Christopher Logan played rugby league for the Doomadgee Dragons from 1989 to 2007, captaining the side from 1989 to 1994, and was the club chairperson from 2008 to 2014. He loves to spend his weekends taking his grandchildren out bush, camping, hunting and fishing.
Commissioner Eleanor LOGAN (Waanyi / Gangalidda Clans) grew up in Doomadgee, before moving to Banyo College in Brisbane to complete Year 11. Commissioner Eleanor Logan continued to further her education, gaining a Certificate III and a Diploma of Children’s Services, and trained in the area of Aged Care Management. Recognising the need for a support network for young mothers in Doomadgee, Commissioner Eleanor Logan was instrumental in forming a playgroup for young mums. She was a Councillor with the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council from 2008 to 2012. Married to fellow Doomadgee Commissioner Christopher Logan, she says family is her priority. She has fostered many children and is presently fostering two young boys. Doomadgee Commissioner Eleanor Logan is currently the Director of the Doomadgee Child Care Centre. When not working she enjoys camping, fishing and spending time with her 15 grandchildren and two great grandsons.
Commissioner Kaylene O’KEEFE grew up in Mount Isa before moving to her parents’ home town of Doomadgee in 1990. Married to Dwayne O’Keefe since 2001, Commissioner O’Keefe is a mother of three daughters. Her past employment has included time working at the local store, in accounts at the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council and as a Family Support Worker with RAATSICC. Since 2018 Doomadgee Commissioner O’Keefe has been involved with the Strong Women’s Group and has mentored Indigenous women. Commissioner O’Keefe hopes that her role as a Local Commissioner with the Family Responsibilities Commission will enable her to play a significant part in improving outcomes for Doomadgee families. Commissioner O’Keefe enjoys camping, fishing and spending time with her family, in particular her young grandson.
Commissioner Isabel TOBY (Waanyi / Gangalidda Clans) was born in Doomadgee and has lived most of her life there. Married to Christopher Toby, Isabel has three sons, one daughter and five grandchildren, with one on the way. Having not had the opportunity to attend boarding school herself, Commissioner Toby was determined that her own children would not miss out on a good education and has sent each of them to boarding school to further their studies. One of her sons is currently in his last year of a carpentry apprenticeship. Commissioner Toby would also like her grandchildren to follow in the same steps to ensure they receive the education they deserve. Doomadgee Commissioner Toby has worked at Centrelink, the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council, Job Futures and as a teacher aide. She is currently employed as a Team Leader to Family Support Workers at 54 Reasons where she has worked for ten years. She enjoys helping her community to ensure a positive future for their children and families. Commissioner Toby commenced as a founding Local Commissioner for Doomadgee in August 2014 until 8 June 2017. She has since re-joined the Commission as a Local Commissioner on
1 November 2019.
Commissioner Lila CAIRNS (Waanyi Clan) was born at Gregory Downs Station. She attended school in Burketown and Doomadgee before moving to Brisbane to complete year 9, and then to Malanda to complete year 10. After completing school, Commissioner Lila Cairns returned to Doomadgee where she held various positions in the community. She has managed both the aged care facility and the local bakery, worked in the local store for five years, held the position of receptionist at the Doomadgee Rural Hospital for 15 years, and worked as a health worker for 10 years. Commissioner Lila Cairns has four children, 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. In her spare time, Commissioner Lila Cairns enjoys time with her family fishing, camping and spending time outside. When she is not enjoying the great outdoors, she likes to attend church and participate in Christian conventions held throughout the state. Commissioner Lila Cairns became a Doomadgee Local Commissioner on 5 May 2022.
Commissioner Virginia Grace COLLINS (Waanyi / Gangalidda / Garrawa Clans) was born in Mt Isa but has lived in Doomadgee for most of her life. Whilst in Doomadgee, Commissioner Collins attended Doomadgee State School. After completing school, she commenced working with Community Development Employment Projects in Doomadgee and then other organisations such as the store and the Women’s Shelter before settling into her current employment with the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council in the Post Office, where she has been employed since 2020. Commissioner Collins is a mother of two boys and is eagerly waiting to become a grandmother. She enjoys going out bush camping and fishing, as well as reading and spending time with family and friends. Commissioner Collins became a Doomadgee Local Commissioner on 5 May 2022.
Commissioner Wendy TAYLOR (Lardil / Gangalidda / Garrawa Clans) was born in Doomadgee where she attended Doomadgee State School as well as School of the Air, whilst living on an outstation. Commissioner Taylor later attended school in Malanda where she completed years 8-10. After completing school, Commissioner Taylor returned to Doomadgee where she commenced working in various positions in the community. She worked at both the Doomadgee shop and the Doomadgee State School for a couple of years each and is currently working at the Doomadgee Childcare Center where she has been since 2000. Commissioner Taylor spends her personal time fishing, hunting and collecting bush tucker with her friends and family. She is a mother of five children, grandmother of 18 grandchildren and great grandmother of four great grandchildren. Commissioner Taylor became a Doomadgee Local Commissioner on 5 May 2022.
