Valerie Cooms

Valerie belongs to the Nunukal people of Minjeeriba (North Stradbroke Island in Queensland). She has three children and six grandchildren. Valerie Cooms

Valerie has worked for the Australian Public Service for many years in the areas of health, employment, Native Title and the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

Valerie currently works as the Indigenous Co-ordinator at AIATSIS, is a board member of Indigenous Business Australia, previously worked as the CEO of Queensland South Representative Body Aboriginal Corporation and Queensland South Native Title Services and is completing a PhD in Queensland Aboriginal political history from 1965 to 1975 at ANU.

Current Research Focus

Valerie is currently completing her PhD at the Australian National University in Canberra. Her thesis topic is: An examination of the implementation and objectives of both State and Commonwealth Indigenous policies in Queensland from 1965 to 1975.

Publications

Valerie has compiled Annual Reports for the Queensland South native Title Services and the former Queensland South Representative Body Aboriginal Corporation for the years between 2003 - 2007.

2008. [with Tran Tran and Toni Bauman (eds.) and Tony McAvoy] Even as the crow flies, it is still a long way: Implementation of the Queensland South Native Title Services Ltd Strategic Plan, Canberra: AIATSIS.

Contact:

val.cooms@aiatsis.gov.au