Commissioner Edgar Kerindun

Commissioner Edgar KERINDUN OAM (Sara Clan) was born and raised in Aurukun and is a traditional owner of the area. Before his election as a Councillor for the Aurukun Shire Council in 2012 Commissioner Kerindun worked as an Engagement Officer at Queensland Health. He served as a Councillor for eight years, including four years as Deputy Mayor, until 2020 when he decided not to run for re-election.

On 26 January 2015 Commissioner Kerindun was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to the community. One of the original Community Police Officers in Aurukun, he continues to advocate for justice and rehabilitation for ex-offenders. Along with his partner, Commissioner Doris Poonkamelya, he cares for three children from their extended family. Commissioner Kerindun believes that showing respect to everyone fosters mutual respect.

Commissioner Doris Poonkamelya

Commissioner Doris POONKAMELYA OAM (Putch Clan) was born at the Kendall River Outstation and moved with her family to Aurukun when she was a child. She dedicated 29 years of her life to working as a senior health worker for Queensland Health, retiring in 2009. On 26 January 2015 Commissioner Poonkamelya was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her services to the community. From 2016 to 2020 she served as a Councillor for the Aurukun Shire Council but chose not to run in the 2020 Local Government elections. A founding member of the Aurukun Community Justice Group, Commissioner Poonkamelya is also deeply committed to education as a pathway to employment and a promising future for young people. As a carer for Child Safety Services, she believes in creating a safe environment for children to grow and mature.

Commissioner Dorothy Pootchemunka

Commissioner Dorothy POOTCHEMUNKA (Winchanum / Aplach Clans) was born, raised, and educated in Aurukun. She has 10 children, 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Commissioner Pootchemunka’s interests encompass a wide range of traditional activities including fishing, camping and basket weaving using Pandanus and Cabbage leaves. Her baskets are displayed in national galleries in Australia and overseas. In 2023 Aurukun State School engaged Commissioner Pootchemunka to deliver cultural classes to senior students, teaching weaving, collecting roots to extract dye, and fire building.

Commissioner Pootchemunka is a registered Wik interpreter, and her expertise is utilised within the court system and by the Department of Human Services. More recently she worked with the Youth Justice team as an interpreter for local Aurukun youth. She became an Aurukun Local Commissioner on 4 March 2010. Commissioner Pootchemunka views education as the key to employment and encourages all students to make the most of their education and training to enhance future job opportunities.

Commissioner Keri Tamwoy

Commissioner Keri TAMWOY (Putch Clan) was born in Cairns but has spent her entire life in Aurukun. She met her husband Gerald Tamwoy when they were 17 and 18 years old respectively. Together they have raised their six children in Aurukun, deeply embedding themselves in the community.

Commissioner Keri Tamwoy has extensive experience as a mediator and has successfully run the mediation program in Aurukun which has been instrumental in helping families resolve conflicts without resorting to violence. She considers the mediation program a valued service in Aurukun.

Professionally, Commissioner Keri Tamwoy has previously worked as the Office Manager for the Aak Puul Ngantam Ranger Program and currently serves as the chairperson of the organisation.

Commissioner Keri Tamwoy became an Aurukun Local Commissioner on 1 January 2018 at the age of 44. She was elected Mayor of the Aurukun Shire Council in the Local Government elections on 28 March 2020. Throughout her term of four years, she was dedicated to supporting the Wik people of Aurukun, striving to empower them and enhance their community.

On 1 December 2021 Commissioner Keri Tamwoy was honoured with the National NAIDOC Person of the Year award. In 2022 she became an active member of the Paamp Aurukun State School Board, which was established to address the attendance and wellbeing of Aurukun’s school-aged children. Commissioner Keri Tamwoy believes that education is the foundation for children’s futures and supports personalised learning for each child.

In her spare time Commissioner Keri Tamwoy enjoys fishing and camping or simply relaxing at home watching movies with her eleven grandchildren.

Commissioner Dereck Walpo

Commissioner Dereck WALPO (Kiadilt Clan) was born and raised on Mornington Island. After completing his primary schooling on Mornington Island, he completed his senior studies while boarding in Warwick Queensland. Commissioner Walpo then moved to Cape York where he met his partner of 40 years, Ada Woolla of the Winchanum Clan. He has worked in various positions across Aurukun including in plumbing, as a road worker and machinery driver before finding work in the health system and becoming the Team Leader of the Wellbeing Centre. In 2016 Commissioner Walpo joined the Apunipima Board to support the Aurukun community and ensure their voices are heard. He recognises the importance of mental health support and the need for services to support remote Indigenous communities such as Aurukun.

From 2012 to 2020 Commissioner Walpo held the position of Mayor in the Aurukun Shire Council using his authority to work towards improving social norms and helping the community of Aurukun grow. In November 2023 Commissioner Walpo joined the Aurukun Community Indigenous Corporation as a member of the board.

Commissioner Walpo has two children and nine grandchildren and enjoys spending the weekends with his grandchildren fishing and hunting. Commissioner Walpo became an Aurukun Local Commissioner on 5 May 2022. He wants to use his role as a Local Commissioner to further restore social norms and encourage community members to take responsibility for their futures.

Commissioner Arianna YUNKAPORTA

Commissioner Arianna YUNKAPORTA (Putch Clan) was appointed as a Local Commissioner with the Family Responsibilities Commission on 29 January 2026. Commissioner Yunkaporta is a Traditional Owner from Aurukun who brings strong community values, local knowledge, and a passion for helping others. Raised in the community of Aurukun, she comes from a close-knit, culturally grounded family with four siblings. Commissioner Yunkaporta completed her schooling in Cairns at Smithfield State High School, where she developed confidence and leadership skills. In her professional experience Commissioner Yunkaporta has worked for various Aurukun service providers including the Koolkan State School. Commissioner Yunkaporta is also a serving member of the Australian Defence Force.

Outside of work, Commissioner Yunkaporta enjoys spending time on-country participating in cultural activities such as fishing, camping, and exploring. She values family, community, culture, country and speaking her traditional language of Wik-Ngathan. Commissioner Yunkaporta is excited to bring a youthful perspective to the role of Local Commissioner in Aurukun.

Commissioner Imani TAMWOY

Commissioner Imani TAMWOY (Putch Clan) was appointed as a Local Commissioner with the Family Responsibilities Commission on 29 January 2026. Commissioner Imani Tamwoy is a proud young woman from Aurukun who values family, culture, and community connection. Growing up alongside her six siblings, she developed a strong appreciation for the importance of support, respect, and staying connected to her country. She completed her primary schooling in Aurukun before continuing her education at Stuartholme School in Brisbane, an experience that helped build her confidence and broaden her opportunities while remaining grounded in her cultural identity.

Commissioner Imani Tamwoy enjoys spending her free time out on country camping and fishing with family and friends, activities that keep her closely connected to culture and country. Earlier this year, she welcomed her first baby, an exciting new chapter in her life that has strengthened her passion for creating positive opportunities for future generations. Commissioner Imani Tamwoy currently works as an Administration Officer at the Aurukun State School where she is known for her friendly nature, reliability, and commitment to supporting students, families, and the wider community.

Commissioner Olga GEORGE

Commissioner Olga GEORGE