Suzanne Coates

Manager, Recovery Outcomes - Aboriginal Culture and Healing · Emergency Recovery Victoria · company speakers →

Suzanne is a proud Yorta Yorta and Wamba Wemba woman raised in Geelong, as a member of the Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative. Suzanne’s background, experiences and career highlights include: • Early career experiences interning in Object Conservation at the Museum of Victoria, researching the revival of the Wadawurrung language and working for over a decade as a Ranger, while operationally active as a general firefighter, with Parks Victoria. • Leading policy and strategy development, as Principal Policy in self-determination reform for Victoria’s then environment, land, water and planning department. • Living in Patagonia for 3 years closely connected with Chile’s national park management agency, CONAF. • Receiving a team-based national Banksia Award for her contribution to threatened orchid species conservation, a joint Fire Readiness Award for partnership approaches to a Traditional Owner cultural burning project (2015-2018) and in receiving a Secretary’s Emerging Leader Award, while at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. • Leading the Aboriginal Culture and Healing team in developing Victoria’s Strategy for Aboriginal Community-led Recovery released in 2023.

Is this you? Claim this profile →