Charles Passi

Charles Passi was born in Thursday Island in the Torres Strait in 1964. As the eldest son of Dave and Lena Passi, he was born into the traditional responsibility of land ownership and the preservation of cultural traditions in both Mer and Erub islands in the Torres Strait.

He completed his Senior Certificate at the Anglican Church Grammar Boarding School in Brisbane in 1981. Charles began his apprenticeship in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs with then Department of Aboriginal Affairs in 1984 and has since seen service to his people in various roles in State, Local and Federal responsibilities.

Mr Passi has had a long involvement with community organisations such as:

• Department of Aboriginal Affairs (Brisbane);
• Mura Kosker Sorority (Thursday Island);
• Lena Passi Women’s Shelter (Thursday Island);
• Torres Shire Council (Thursday Island);
• Danalaig Niai Idid Project (Qld Health – Thursday Island);
• Qld Child Deaths Case Review Committee (Children’s Commission);
• Domestic & Family Violence Research Reference Group (Mackay; and
• Healing Foundation (National) (former Chair)).

Mr Passi believes in his abilities as a visionary and with his experience and insight has committed himself to the positive redevelopment of current practices in providing real and sustainable solutions to the issues plaguing our communities and establishing the rollout of positive and progressive political and social reform.

He embraces the challenge to influence and participate in leading Aboriginal Affairs in this country to new and profound heights of success and representation.