Today the Governor in Council approved the appointment of Andrew Jackomos to our Board. Andrew will be the inaugural First Nations person to serve as a Victoria Legal Aid Board member. Andrew fills the Board position vacated by John O’Donoghue in February 2022.
Andrew Morgan Jackomos is a proud Yorta Yorta and Gundidtjmara man from north-central and south-west Victoria respectively. Andrew is also proud of his Greek heritage from the Mediterranean Island of Kastellorizo.
Following in the footsteps of his parents, Merle and Alick Jackomos, Andrew has had a lifelong commitment to improving social justice outcomes for First Peoples both in Victoria and nationwide.
Since April 2023 Andrew has been a Principal Advisor, Koori Policies and Strategies with Courts Services Victoria. Previously Andrew worked as the Director, First Peoples Engagement with the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games; Special Advisor, Aboriginal Self-Determination with the Department of Premier and Cabinet; and Executive Director, Aboriginal Economic Development, the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions.
From 1999 to 2013, Andrew was an executive officer in the Victorian Department of Justice and led the development of three iterations of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement and the associated multi-jurisdictional network of Koori Courts across Victoria.
In 2013 Andrew was appointed for five years as the inaugural Victorian Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People where he led Taskforce 1000, a landmark systemic review of the impact of the child protection system on Koori children.
In 2006 he was awarded the Public Service Medal and appointed as a Fellow with the Institute of Public Administration Australia (Vic). In 2013, Andrew was appointed as a IPAA National Fellow.
We are honoured that Andrew has agreed to join the our Board. Andrew’s significant experience and knowledge will be an enormous attribute to the Board and to Victoria Legal Aid generally. Andrew’s appointment is an important step towards our ongoing commitment to reflect the diversity of our clients, consumers and community throughout the organisation, including at its most senior levels.
We welcome Andrew to the Board.
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Reviewed 25 July 2023