Ambassador
GARY ELLA
New Ambassador Gary Ella – Since February 2015 Gary has worked as the Coordinator Community Development at Randwick City Council. Gary retired from employment in February 2020 after acting in the position of Manager of Community Development for 9 months with Randwick City Council. Prior to working with Council, Gary worked as the Regional Director of Aboriginal Affairs NSW’s Sydney Greater Metropolitan region. His career includes a number of management positions with both State and Federal government agencies, and a 10 year period when he coached Rugby Union on a full-time professional basis.
Other positions held by Gary during his career includes: Program Manager for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Relations program for the Sydney Olympic Games Organising Committee (SOCOG); Executive Officer the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs; Regional Manager positions in the Sydney and Bourke regional offices of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission’s (ATSIC); Corporate Services Manager and Assistant State Manager for Social and Cultural programs in the ATSIC NSW State Office.
Current activities currently include:
– Patron of the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team (an organisation that encourages Aboriginal youth the play Rugby Union but mostly promotes education and career opportunities). Retired as president in February 2020 after 15 years.
– Member of Rugby Australia’s 2027 Rugby World Cup Bid Committee, other members including former Prime Minister John Howard, former Governor General Peter Cosgrove, and IOC Vice President