ORDINARY MEMBER

GAVIN SOMERS

Gavin Somers (Butchulla/Juru/Wulgurukaba) is Director, Community Engagement & First Nations at ACMI, and a highly respected Aboriginal leader with extensive experience across governance, public policy, and cultural institutions.

Gavin has worked across Federal and State government, leading Aboriginal employment, education, and cultural safety initiatives for workforces of up to 9,000 staff. With formal training in governance and community development he has led teams delivering governance training to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations across Victoria, strengthening leadership capability and organisational sustainability.

Gavin brings significant board and governance experience in the First Nations arts sector and was a former Director of Ilbijerri Aboriginal Theatre Company, Australia’s longest‑running First Nations theatre company for ten years. Throughout his career Gavin has contributed to a range of arts boards and advisory committees.

At ACMI, Gavin leads the organisation’s First Nations strategy in alignment with its Reconciliation Action Plan, ensuring First Nations voices are central to governance, programming, and community engagement, and supporting broader commitments to diversity and inclusion.