The Stronger Smarter Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of two new board members and the appointment of a new co-chair.

Chairman of the board, Dr Chris Sarra announced today that the search to replace the legendary Herb Elliot OAM is over. Stronger Smarter has netted two outstanding leaders, Ms Sharon Davis and Mr Peter Leunig. They both bring a wealth of experience with the right skills to take Stronger Smarter to a next level of excellence. Coupled with this exciting announcement is the creation of a Co-Chair role.  Leading Principal, Ms Tammy Anderson takes on the Co-Chair role with founding Director Dr Chris Sarra.

Ms Anderson is a Biripi woman who has grown up with her family on Dharawal country in Airds, NSW. Tammy started teaching in 2002 as an Aboriginal Education Resource Teacher at Briar Road Public School. This role developed her strong understanding of individualised learning and the foundational importance of culture. Tammy has forged a successful career in education by bringing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education to the forefront in her communities. Tammy draws her inspiration for teaching and her passion for Aboriginal Education from her family and school mentors. She credits her own primary school Aboriginal Education Officer for teaching her much of what she passes on today.

New board member, Ms Sharon Davis is a Bardi Kija woman, with an MSc. in Applied Linguistics from the University of Oxford. She has a strong belief in social justice, educational equity and the potential power that education has to strengthen the future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Sharon is actively involved in a range of State and National Indigenous education initiatives, from her previous work in Catholic Education Western Australia to her current role as the Director of Education and Ethics at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). Sharon currently sits on the board of Reconciliation Australia.

Mr Peter Leunig, has held senior fundraising and development positions in the education and not-for-profit sectors, including Head of Fundraising at St Vincents & Mater Health Sydney, Director of Development at the University of Western Australia and Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at Macquarie University. He is an expert at reviewing the fundraising and development status of organisations and establishing the necessary infrastructure and visionary strategic direction for fundraising and development operations to succeed. Peter brings the experience to our board to strategically guide and grow the Institute’s status as a charitable organisation to accelerate the transformation of Indigenous Education in Australia.

Dr John Davis, CEO commented on the recent changes at a National Reconciliation Week speech,  “Our Board is made up of volunteers who believe in the vision of creating transformative outcomes in Education through the Stronger Smarter Approach. We continue to build upon the footprints that have been expertly placed to position our organisation as a leading social enterprise that drives sustainable change across the country… Tammy Anderson is a stalwart Director of the Stronger Smarter Institute and her position as co-chair ensures we stay connected to our grassroots, schools, students and community. The expertise and experience that Sharon and Peter bring complement our strategic vision and current board members to continue to expertly steer us towards success”.

Dr Sarra states, “the future is bright with these great minds guiding the Institute…”

Further details of the Stronger Smarter Institute are available at www.strongersmarter.com.au. For comments and interviews please contact the Stronger Smarter Institute on: 07 5499 4135 or Enquiries at enquiries@strongersmarter.com.au