The State Aboriginal Heritage Committee is established under Section 7 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (external site) (SA) (Act).

The Committee provides advice to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs about:

  • making and removing entries in the central archives
  • measures that should be taken for the protection or preservation of Aboriginal sites, objects or remains
  • appointing suitable persons as heritage inspectors under the Act
  • Aboriginal heritage agreements
  • any other matter related to the administration or operation of the Act or to the protection or preservation of Aboriginal heritage.

The Committee also has decision-making responsibilities in appointing, suspending or revoking bodies as Recognised Aboriginal Representative Bodies - bodies corporate that consult with and speak for Traditional Owners in matters of Aboriginal heritage.

2026-27 meeting dates

  • 5 and 6 August 2026
  • 3 September 2026
  • 15 October 2026
  • 12 November 2026
  • 9 and 10 December 2026
  • 21 January 2027
  • 4 March 2027
  • 15 April 2027
  • 24 June 2027

State Aboriginal Heritage Committee Members

The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs appoints and maintains a State Aboriginal Heritage Committee to provide advice about the protection and preservation of Aboriginal heritage in the state.

The functions of the Committee are established under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (SA) (Act). As well as its advisory role, the Committee approves the appointment of Recognised Aboriginal Representative Bodies that consult with and speak for Traditional Owners in matters of Aboriginal heritage.

*Biographical information is correct at the time of publication.

Fiona Singer

Fiona Singer – Chairperson (2022 –); member (– 2028)

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Fiona Singer is an Arabana and Arrernte woman with over 25 years’ experience working within both Commonwealth and State Governments, and has qualifications in management.

Fiona is passionate about heritage and has a comprehensive knowledge and appreciation of the cultural, social and economic needs and challenges of Aboriginal people and Communities in South Australia, particularly native title holders.

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Joshua Haynes

Joshua Haynes – Vice-Chair (2022 –); member (– 2027)

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Joshua Haynes is a Yandruwandha man who is currently a director of the National Native Title Council, Chair of the Maree-Innamincka Landscape Group and Chair of South Australian Native Title Services. Joshua is appointed to Victoria's Dhawura Ngilan (Remembering Country) steering committee, which seeks to implement nationally consistent Aboriginal heritage legislation across Australia that will improve heritage protection, strengthen culture and give primacy to the voices of Aboriginal people in respect of their own cultural heritage.

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Elaine Kite

Elaine Kite (- 2027)

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Elaine is Kokatha and a member of Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation (KAC), a former KAC director and currently serves as a member of the KAC Culture and Heritage Committee. She is also a member of Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal Corporation and the Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation.

Elaine is passionate about social justice for Australia's First Peoples and is committed to ensuring our diverse cultural traditions, our cultural rights and interests, wherever they exist, are protected and upheld for future generations.

As a recent appointee to the State Aboriginal Heritage Committee, Elaine welcomes this opportunity to work with members of the Committee to ensure that, to the best of our collective abilities, members work together to uphold the cultural heritage of our Aboriginal communities throughout South Australia.

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Kahlia Gibson

Kahlia Gibson (– 2028)

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Kahlia Gibson is a proud Kokatha and Barkandji woman, currently living on Kaurna Country. She is deeply committed to the promotion, protection, and preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage and brings a strong background in governance, advocacy, and community engagement.

Kahlia has previously served as Chairperson and Recognised Aboriginal Representative Body (RARB) Project Officer with Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, where she played a key role in representing and advancing the interests of her community. She has recently been reappointed as a member of the State Aboriginal Heritage Committee, where she continues to contribute her knowledge and lived experience to support the safeguarding of Aboriginal heritage across South Australia.

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Ken Jones

Ken Jones (– 2028)

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A Bunganditj Elder, Ken’s interest in the environment began early through regular family hunting and fishing trips along the Limestone Coast, discovering bush tucker, growing a native fruit orchard and timber forests. His work and volunteer career spans commercial fishing management, environmental building, habitat restoration and field and bird surveys.

From near Port MacDonnell, Ken now teaches and addresses care for intangible heritage values and the environment within Bunganditj Country.

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Kym Thomas

Kym Thomas (– 2028)

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Kym Thomas is a proud Nukunu Aboriginal person committed to the holistic development of people and communities in personal development, health, employment, education and the protection and preservation of Aboriginal Heritage. Kym is a former Researcher with the University of Adelaide's Rural Clinical School in Port Augusta. He retired from the University in December 2024. Kym was honoured to receive the Degree of Doctor of the University of Adelaide (honoris causa) in September 2025. He has over 25 years' experience in government and tertiary education sectors, where he has maintained collaborative partnerships with Aboriginal organisations and services across the state. He is the former Chairperson for Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation.

Kym's belief that Aboriginal cultural heritage is important for all Australians, and that it warrants appropriate protections, led him to seek membership of the Committee.

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Marius Liddle

Marius Liddle (– 2027)

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Marius Liddle is an Arrernte man born in Adelaide with family ties to the Mparntwe/Tyuretye, Irlpme and Uremerne traditional estates in Central Australia. Having grown up in the Riverland, Marius has maintained a strong commitment to regional environmental preservation and community wellbeing.

Marius is the Founder and Director of MTL Consulting Services, a South Australian First Nations-owned consultancy that delivers strategic, culturally informed solutions for governments, corporations, and community organisations. He is dedicated to ensuring that First Nations voices are central in decision-making and policy development, particularly in areas of cultural autonomy, economic opportunity, and community-led change.

With strong values of respect, inclusivity, and cultural integrity, Marius continues to contribute through board and committee roles, championing the protection of heritage sites and artefacts and supporting the long-term sustainability of First Nations peoples and communities.

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Robert (Jimmy) Neville

Robert (Jimmy) Neville (– 2027)

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Jimmy Neville is of Adnyamathanha / Kuyani descent.

Adnyamathanha / Kuyani lands are the Flinders Ranges, from Quorn, where Jimmy was born, through to Hawker and as far as Roxby Downs.

Jimmy grew up on Country, in the company of his grandfather and uncle, from whom he gained his cultural knowledge and his knowledge of his Adnyamathanha / Kuyani heritage.

Jimmy is a fluent Adnyamathanha speaker and understands a number of other South Australian Aboriginal languages.

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Sue Haseldine

Sue Haseldine (– 2027)

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Joshua Haynes is a Yandruwandha man who is currently a director of the National Native Title Council, Chair of the Maree-Innamincka Landscape Group and Chair of South Australian Native Title Services. Joshua is appointed to Victoria's Dhawura Ngilan (Remembering Country) steering committee, which seeks to implement nationally consistent Aboriginal heritage legislation across Australia that will improve heritage protection, strengthen culture and give primacy to the voices of Aboriginal people in respect of their own cultural heritage.

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Vicki Dodd

Vicki Dodd (– 2029)

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Vicki Dodd is a proud descendant of the Cooper Basin and Lake Eyre region, born and raised on Country. Her deep cultural connection to Land and Community has guided both her personal and professional journey.

Vicki has worked across government, non-government, and not-for-profit sectors, building experience in governance, community development, and service delivery.

Grounded in her heritage and driven by a commitment to Community, Vicki continues to contribute in ways that strengthen both culture and future opportunities.

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