Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) is a Queensland Government Statutory Body which delivers essential services into remote Indigenous communities across North Queensland.

Our organisation is overseen by a highly experienced Board that reports to the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships on an annual basis.

The CEQ Board has primary responsibility to set the strategic direction and risk appetite of the organisation, as well as to monitor business performance.

To help achieve this, the Board has the following sub-committees that report to it on a regular basis:

  • Finance, Audit, Risk and Governance Committee
  • Employment, Training and Safety Committee
  • Community, Public Relations and Marketing Committee.

The Board is committed to ethical behaviour and works within its charter, monitoring the business and reviewing policies, business plans, budgets, and capital expenditure.

The CEQ Executive Team consists of a Chief Executive Officer, General Manager Business Infrastructure & Logistics, General Manager Human Resources, General Manager Finance, General Manager Merchandise, General Manager Operations and General Manager Stakeholder Engagement.

Meet the Board

In accordance with section 60 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (Justice, Land and Other Matters) Act 1984, the CEQ Board is comprised of at least five, but not more than 10 members appointed by the Governor in Council.

Acting Chair

Dr. Mark Wenitong

Dr Mark Wenitong (Professor Adjunct, QUT) is from the Kabi Kabi tribal group of South Queensland. He has been the Public Health Medical Advisor at Apunipima Cape York Health Council since 2008, where he continues to practice clinical medicine and remote health service systems and program delivery. Dr Wenitong was the Aboriginal Public Health Medical Officer, and the acting CEO, at the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) in 2012 and Prior to working at Apunipima, Dr Wenitong was Senior Medical Officer at Wuchopperen Health Service in Cairns for nine years. His main area of clinical interest is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care. Dr Wenitong received the 2011 Australian Medical Association Presidents National Award for Excellence in Healthcare and the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council Hall of Fame Award in 2010. Dr Wenitong brings extensive experience to the CEQ board, with past and present experience serving on a number of boards as both member and Chair.
Board Member

Mr. Michael Aw

Mr Michael Aw has extensive experience in the retail industry, being the founding director of The Good Guys in Cairns – one of the most successful stores of its kind in the nation. Mr Aw has been the Far North Queensland Chairman for the Good Guys over a number of years and has also been a member of the national marketing and advertising advisory committee for nine years. Mr Aw is also a current serving member of Far North Queensland Football Board.
Board Member

Mayor Mislam Sam

Mayor Mislam Sam is the current Director of Palm Island Junior Sports Aboriginal Corp. and former and now current Director of Palm Island Community Company board with notable business experience as a local government Councillor and educator, having most recently completed a four-year tenure as a Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Councillor. Mr Sam operates an accommodation business with a commercial kitchen on Palm Island which he has progressively grown into a prosperous business over the past four years. Prior to his role in council, Mr Sam also has over ten years’ experience working within State Government in the areas of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy, Education and Training both in Townsville and on Palm Island.
Board Member

Ms. Joann Schmider

Board Member

Mr. Fraser Nai

Board Member

Ms Claire Alexander

Board Member

Ms. Elverina Johnson

Ms Elverina Johnson has significant knowledge of the Yarrabah region, having lived and worked within the community performing community engagement roles for an extensive period of time in a range of social impact areas including drug and alcohol issues, school attendance and child safety related matters to name a few. Ms Johnson is an awarded member of the Queensland Performing Arts community, having, amongst a number of experiences, being awarded a Premier’s award for her role as a consultant curator for an Indigenous Dance Exhibition called ‘Kicking Up Dust’. Ms Johnson has extensive experience in the arts and creative writing industry, and uses her knowledge and insights gained to support community engagement activities in Yarrabah.