“There’s a growing awareness and collaboration from all areas of government to work with First Nations people to allow them to become active participants and active custodians, together.”
Mr Cameron Costello is a Quandamooka man and is currently the CEO of the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC). QYAC is a Registered Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) created under the Native Title Act 1993 to manage the recognised Native Title rights and interests of the Quandamooka People. In this role, Mr Costello is responsible for balancing the competing demands of achieving sustainable economic outcomes while ensuring the interests of the Quandamooka People are represented. QYAC has three key strategic goals; to secure the Quandamooka Estate, to engage and protect the Quandamooka knowledge and to become self-sufficient.
Passionate about protecting the natural biodiversity of Country, Mr Costello works closely with the Quandamooka People and Elders, Government and industry to progress strategic plans while focussing on sustainable and culturally appropriate economic development. This includes jointly managing national parks and running successful 100% Aboriginal owned camp grounds on both Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and Mulgumpin (Moreton Island).
Mr Costello previously spent four years working with the Queensland Government as the Program Manager for Backing Indigenous Art, a four-year $11.2 million initiative for developing a sustainable Indigenous arts industry in Queensland. In this role Mr Costello worked on developing the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair and the Djumbunji Press Printmaking Centre, as well as building a Skills and Opportunities Grants Program.
Mr Costello sits on the Boards of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, the Queensland Koala Advisory Council and is a Director of the Moreton Bay Foundation.
