Patron of Ngala – The Honorable Chris Dawson APM Governor of Western Australia
Ngala is privileged to have The Honorable Chris Dawson APM, Governor of Western Australia as Patron of our organisation.
His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson APM was sworn in as the 34th Governor of Western Australia on 15 July 2022.
Christopher John Dawson APM was educated at Perth Modern School before joining the Western Australia Police Force in 1976, going on to provide 46 years of service in Australian law enforcement.
He served in country and metropolitan positions, criminal investigation, training and senior roles. The Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2002 saw him awarded the Australian Police Medal for distinguished service.
After 10 years as Deputy Commissioner, he left WA for a national role in Canberra between 2014 to 2017 as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Crime Commission, amalgamating several agencies into the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. He also served as Director of the Australian Institute of Criminology during this period.
He was appointed Commissioner of the Western Australia Police Force in August 2017, serving until July 2022. During the period of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Commissioner Dawson coordinated the State of Emergency and the Vaccine program.
Ngala Ambassadors
Our ambassadors work alongside us to support families to enhance the wellbeing and development of infants, children and young people across Western Australia.
Prof Donna Cross OAM
Ambassador
Prof Donna Cross OAM
Ambassador
Professor Cross’ passion and commitment in the field of Early Childhood Development and Learning Collaboration provides the perfect synergy for Ngala, in her role as an Ambassador. For her leadership in improving children’s mental health and wellbeing Donna received an OAM, was the 2012 WA Australian of the Year, the 2022 inductee to the WA Women’s Hall of Fame and she is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science. In her everyday work at Telethon Kids Institute, Professor Cross brings together families, clinicians, educators, policymakers, other practitioners, and researchers to improve the development and learning of young children.
Martin Black
Ambassador
Martin Black
Ambassador
As a past Board Chair of Ngala, Martin Black is a longstanding advocate and supporter of Ngala. He has dedicated more than 20 years as a volunteer to various not-for-profit groups in the parenting and child education space and currently holds the position of Board Chair for national not-for-profit group ‘The Fathering Project’.
Martin worked in the media and public relations industries for many years and in 1999 started the iconic Margaret River Chocolate Company with a childhood friend.
Dr Jackie Scurlock
Ambassador
Dr Jackie Scurlock
Ambassador
Jackie has had a long association with Ngala. As a child, her father’s pharmacy in Highgate supplied medication to the Alexandra Home (Ngala’s first facility). Jackie was a Ngala Board Director for over 16 years and continues to stay connected with Ngala as a member on the Friends of Ngala Executive Committee. Jackie was a general paediatrician at Princess Margaret Hospital for 34 years until 2009 and has worked in private paediatrics in Subiaco and in newborn units in public and private hospitals in Perth, until her retirement in 2019.
Prof Fiona Wood
Ambassador
Prof Fiona Wood
Ambassador
To have an Australian Living Treasure and the 2005 Australian of the Year advocate for Ngala is an incredible honour. As a mother of four boys and two girls, Professor Wood is no stranger to parenting, while her dedication to her work in the medical and research fields has transformed lives across the globe. Professor Wood’s pioneering spirit in medicine and contributions to society for the benefit of children, will be of enormous benefit to Ngala and the families we support.
Dr Colin Pettit
Ambassador
Dr Colin Pettit
Ambassador
Colin has committed his adult life to improving the well-being of young Western Australians by challenging the government and the community to do better, and by advocating for change. He commenced his career as a teacher and then principal of a number of schools in Western Australia. He has held positions of the Commissioner for Children and Young People in Western Australia, Secretary of Education in Tasmania and Executive Director of Education in Western Australia. Colin believes one of the biggest challenges facing WA children is being heard and their needs being understood by decision-makers. He believes that the family must be supported wherever possible to ensure every child has the best chance of personal development. As such he was delighted to be asked to be an Ambassador for Ngala in 2022.