Mark Champley

Mark Champley is an advocate for Indigenous Australians, a symbol of wisdom, courage and an inspirational role model. Mark is a proud descendant of the Kamilaroi and Wiradjuri Peoples, a highly respected Aboriginal community leader with a strong commitment to equality, reconciliation and culture. 

Mark has managed and developed a reverse mentoring program within TfNSW. His vision is to normalise and celebrate cultural diversity in the workplace through a two-way mentoring process. This presents opportunities for our First Nations Peoples to develop and progress into leadership roles and non-Aboriginal leaders to gain a better understanding of Aboriginal history, culture and issues. Ultimately, Mark is committed to unite all Australians by expanding this model throughout the public and private sectors and build a platform for us to walk together. The success of the reverse mentoring model was acknowledged in 2021, winning the prestigious Australian Human Resources Institute Award.

He led the implementation of recommendations 11, 12 and 13 of the NSW Unfinished Business Report supporting the healing of the Stolen Generations, culminating in the installation of Memorial Plaques at significant sights throughout NSW. Mark initiated and championed the bequeathing of the TfNSW retired ferry asset, the Lady Northcott and a $300,000 grant to Tribal Warrior, an Aboriginal Maritime Organisation. The ferry will increase employment opportunities and cultural education on Sydney Harbour.

Mark is a member of the UNSW AGSM Indigenous Adjunct Faculty delivering leadership training and in 2019 his first short story, ‘To the Moon and Back’ was published in the inaugural Blak Unsweetened Journal, inspired by his late mother Aunty Fay, herself a widely respected Elder. Mark believes his life's mission was passed down from his ancestors, through his mother, to himself, driving him to work tirelessly for true reconciliation in Australian society and equality for his people.