Susan Moylan-Coombs’ ancestry is from the oldest surviving living cultures on this planet. She is a Woolwonga Gurindji woman from the Northern Territory and was taken at birth from her mother and father, who were also removed as part of the former government policies; these children are today known as the Stolen Generations.
Born Susan Calma she is related to the former Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and Race Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Tom Calma. At the age of 3 years, Susan was adopted by the eldest son of the iconic Australian public servant Dr H.C. “Nugget” Coombs and raised on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Gaimaragal country as Susan Coombs.
Susan has extensive experience working with First Nations communities nationally, with specific expertise in community consultation, empowerment and the facilitation of voice through storytelling. Susan previously held the positions of Producer, Director and Executive Producer, ABC’s Indigenous Programs Unit and Head of Production, NITV a division of SBS. Susan still consults on films and television programs and was the First Peoples Consultant on the feature film “Storm Boy” that was shot in Adelaide.
As well, Susan uses her expertise to work with mainstream organisations and communities in the provision of cultural competency and immersion sessions as well as community development. She is one of the founding Board member of the PTSD Australia New Zealand (Fearless Outreach) organisation as well as a number of community committees in the Northern Sydney Region and former Board member of Council of the Aged, COTANSW and board member of NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce. Currently a member of the Gawura Local Aboriginal Education Consultative group and member of the Gunyadu First Nations Women’s Corporation
Local to the Northern Sydney region Susan created the Gaimaragal Festival (Formerly Guringai Festival) in 2000. Advocated for an Indigenous Learning space whilst working for the Northern Beaches College, TAFENSW. Created the “Caber-ra Nanga” Resting the Mind Wellbeing Program offered in collaboration with Relationships Australia
In a previous federal election, Susan ran as an Independent against Tony Abbott.
Moylan-Coombs is a Cultural Curator and works across a diversity of sectors from construction, education, housing, health and community. She was recently honoured and recognised as an Industry Professor, Interdisciplinary School, UTS and joined as a Board Director, Business Council Sustainability Development, Australia
