Marc Sutherland is a proud Gomeroi man, and the first Aboriginal person elected to Tamworth Regional Council, now serving his second term and recognised for creating practical change through community-led partnerships.
He is the founder and director of the Gomeroi Culture Academy, a youth leadership program connecting young people to culture, identity and community. Marc has supported emerging leaders at local, state and national levels, drawing on more than 20 years of experience in cultural education and mentoring.
Marc’s work was instrumental in establishing the Mara Ngali Partnership Agreement. A landmark move toward Closing the Gap locally, where Council has partnered with Tamworth Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (TACCO) as part of a shared commitment to creating stronger outcomes and championing place-based solutions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members. In Gomeroi, Mara Ngali means “our two hands,” reflecting a commitment for government and community to work side by side to deliver real, lasting outcomes.
Known for combining cultural leadership with practical governance, Marc offers insights into how public institutions can genuinely partner with First Nations communities to enable lasting, system-level change.