andy
Gilmour
Chairperson
Andy has been a Director of Desert Support Services since 14 December 2012 and was appointed as Chairperson of DSS in 2021.
Andy was formally a partner of national accounting firm RSM Australia practising in the Corporate Finance Division.
He has over 40 years’ experience as a chartered accountant, corporate advisor and business valuer and has a wide breadth of experience with exposure to businesses in diverse industries from financial services to mining and of varying size from small to medium family concerns to large multi-national corporations.
Andy has provided financial and valuation advice to Indigenous Business Australia and their clients in industries from retail, hospitality and small mechanical workshops. This advice has ranged from mentoring, viability assessments, business plans and valuations.
Robert Sommerville
Director
Bob is a Martu (Putejurra) Aboriginal man from the Gascoyne-Murchison region. He is married to Sonia (who is a Palewa Aboriginal woman from Tasmania). They have four children and seven grandchildren.
He has served as a senior public servant with the WA Government School system holding positions of school principal, superintendent of education, director of schools and as a central senior director leading Aboriginal Education.
Bob moved to the University Sector when he was Chief Executive Officer (Vice Chancellor) of Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education in the Northern Territory. He then continued his work in the University sector as the Head of Teaching and Learning (Dean) of Kurongkurl Katjin Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research at Edith Cowan University.
Bob served, during his working life, as an instructor with the Australian Air Force’s cadet program rising to the rank of Wing Commander.
He is also a multi-engine instrument rated pilot, parachutist and holds a military adventure training qualification.
Bob holds a Diploma of Education, Bachelor of Education, Master of Education and Doctor of Education (Honoris causa).
He undertakes a range of voluntary work which includes Patron of the WA Police Academy, mentoring several Indigenous Defence Force Officers and supporting the Civil Aviation Safety Authority as an Indigenous expert.
Among a range of awards and recognition he received the Member of the Order of Australia in 2003.
Shaneane weldon
Director
Shaneane was appointed as a Director of Desert Support Services in October 2023.
Shaneane is a Wangkatja woman raised in the North Eastern Goldfields.
Shaneane has a degree in Community Management and Development, as well as a Bachelor of Education. Shaneane has over 25 years experience in dealing with Aboriginal social issues, and has held leadership positions in various Aboriginal Corporations.
At present Shaneane is the Deputy President of the Shire of Laverton where she has been a Shire Councillor for the past 18 years. Included in her various Community commitments, Shaneane is also a Justice of the Peace, and has been since 1997.
Shaneane is passionate about Aboriginal languages and the preservation of it. She believes that education is the key to success.
