Parent/ Researcher/ Cultural Consultant/ Artist/ Aboriginal Representative
The South Australian Nationals are proud to announce that Emmalene (Emma) Richards will be standing on our legislative council ticket at this election. A first nations’ woman and proud descendant of the Barngarla/Nauo and Wirangu first nations people of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia Emma has further cultural connections as a descendant of the Gubrun people of Western Australia.
She is currently self-employed and manages a small business which is a cultural consultancy business called Yalanyi Wilya- meaning (SeaBeach Spirit), her cultural consultancy business is about providing cultural training and solutions, cultural advisor, support, advocacy, and mentoring to community, education sectors, corporate business public and private. She also has a creative arts and design program called Maba Idi – meaning (To Create) which has provided her with a variety of artistic opportunities to engage creatively with her local community on various levels. Emma is a passionate mother of 4 children, and a proud grandmother with strong beliefs of the importance of family, community, and heritage values.
Before taking on her own business Emma worked most recently as a researcher/cultural educator for 10 years with the Rural Medical School at Port Lincoln within the University of Adelaide.
Emma is an active community leader and has years of working experience and knowledge in a range of areas. She has a background and interest in Indigenous affairs, governance, research, land and sea management, community and economic development, health and wellbeing, leadership, training, education, and employment. Emma firmly believes that she has the ability to provide solutions and to influence change for a better community for all.
Emma believes in leading by example and appreciates the importance of supporting each other, empowering youth and community leadership, and that innovative, positive leadership that is consistent is required to achieve successful meaningful outcomes.
She hopes to bring a focus back to families and community and would like to see more advancement of economic opportunities to provide education, training and employment to support these areas. Emma has always been a strong advocate for family and community safety, justice, fairness, equality, and opportunity. Emma says, “We need an inclusive voice of the people that will influence change on all levels.”
Contact – emma.r@sa.nationals.org.au, 0459 188 536
Media – jonathan.pietzsch@sa.nationals.org.au, 0429 010 047