I would like to acknowledge the custodians of this great land, those that trod the paths before us and left a track for us to follow that we might learn from their teachings and in turn teach others. I acknowledge the Elders, past, present and emerging, without whom our ancient knowledge would be lost.

My name is Leonie Vela, I am an Australian First Nations Mental Health Accredited Social Worker, mother, grandmother, and proud rural Queenslander. I bring to this role a broad professional background across government, non-government, and private practice.

Over the course of my career, I have worked in child protection in both Queensland and New South Wales, in Indigenous Affairs with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and as a Rural and Remote Local Area Coordinator with the NDIS. I have also worked in NGOs such as Mission Australia and Mercy Family Services. Currently, I run my own private practice, providing counselling, family support, supervised contact, and preparing Family Reports for the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. My practice spans disability, mental health, education, housing and homelessness, alcohol and other drug issues, psychometric assessments, and counselling. I consider myself a generalist social worker, proud to embody the profession’s breadth and adaptability.

I first became involved with IAHA when I was a University student, struggling to find both my personal and professional identity and found a welcoming organisation that has guided me through what have often been complex and steep learning curves in cultural responsibility and acknowledgement of stolen identities and histories and the protocols in relation to these to establishing networks that will be with me for the rest of my life. I want to be able to share with others what IAHA has taught me.

I have nominated to serve on the IAHA Board because I strongly believe in the work that IAHA undertakes in communities throughout Australia and I know the value that I have gained from being a part of this amazing culturally aware, safe and responsible organisation. 

Thank you for taking the time to consider my nomination. If I am successful, I look forward to working with the members of IAHA to utilise my skills, knowledge and experience in whatever way possible to assist in the future growth IAHA.