National Native Title Tribunal President Graeme Neate has advised that the Governor-General has appointed Ms Helen Shurven to be a part-time Member of the Tribunal, based in Western Australia, for 12 months.

Ms Shurven has been appointed following the departure of Mr John Catlin in May this year. She joins the Tribunal with tertiary qualifications in psychology, law and education, as well as extensive public sector and academic employment experience.

Mr Neate said he was delighted with the new appointment and is eager to welcome Ms Shurven during the current busy period for the Tribunal.

‘Ms Shurven will be sworn-in by Justice Siopis in Perth next Tuesday’, Mr Neate said. ‘I look forward to introducing her to members and staff next week.’

Ms Helen Shurven, Member (part-time), Western Australia

Helen Shurven has worked in senior roles for the Western Australian government for the past 12 years, predominantly with independent statutory organisations including the Office of the Public Sector Standards Commissioner, the Office of Health Review and the Commissioner for Children and Young People. She has also been seconded to the Standards and Integrity Directorate, Department of Education and Training.

Other positions Ms Shurven has held include solicitor with Marks Healy Sands, and lecturer and researcher at Edith Cowan and Murdoch Universities.

Ms Shurven is currently an accredited mediator under the Australian National Mediation Standards and has also been a mediation supervisor and trainer with Relationships Australia (WA). She is a member of the board of management of Relationships Australia (WA), and also a member of the Australian Mediation Association, Women Lawyers (WA) and the Society of Editors (WA). She has been an adjudicator for the National Schools Conflict Resolution and Mediation Program since 2003 and is formerly a member of the board of management of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and Senator of Murdoch University.

Ms Shurven has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology from the University of Western Australia and a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Education from Murdoch University.

For more information phone the Tribunal on 1800 640 501 or visit www.nntt.gov.au.