Delia Summers

TAS Director

I am a proud pakana saltwater woman born on truwana (Cape Barren Island). And part of the Stolen Generation.

My parents were well-known and respected in our community. I was bought up in a family and community that shared cultural values such as respect, care, self-reliance, courage, kinship, and friendship. Equally, importantly is my spiritual connection to the land and water, which has been handed down and shared within my community.

I am a mother of two sons and a grandmother of two beautiful grandsons.

I completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Design in the 1990’s and went on to study Social Work degree finishing in 2013 as a mature age student. I worked at the Aboriginal Elders Council in Launceston as the Administrator on a variety of programs for seven years. And on the board for 10 years.

I am the Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer at the local hospital supporting the wellbeing of Aboriginal women, young people, children and community, advocating and ensuring they are provided with culturally appropriate services.

I am a cultural knowledge holder and practice my culture through my arts, sharing with community women and young girls. I am on a number of boards statewide and created a reference group at my workplace consisting of Elders and local Aboriginal community members. This was to ensure Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people are acknowledged within the hospital setting.

I will continue to engage and support women and young girls in my community.

Moving forward I will be listening and drawing on the women’s concerns. My main areas of interest are family violence and sexual abuse, however I do provide supports in many areas such as housing, mental health, drug issues and cultural support.

Connecting with women in a community setting will allow me to provide positive support and outcomes, from a cultural perspective and gather cultural concerns to report back to NATSIWA.