Meet Our Cultural Support Officers

Godfrey Bero

Godfrey Bero is a proud Zenadth Kes man of the Komet and Zagaureb tribes. His heritage is deeply rooted in the Torres Strait, with his father hailing from Mer and mother, Paipaidagam, from Mabuygilgal, Mabuyag. His totems are Wanpun (Gecko), Gar (Mangrove Seed), Saigob (White Breast Frigate Bird), Nam (Turtle) & Dhangle (Dugong). He grew up in Tamwoy Town on Waiben (Thursday Island) and Koosoonsoog and Owla, Wug (St Pauls village, Moa Island).

Karen Keane

Karen Keane is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman, descending from the Yupungathi People from the northwest of Cape York Peninsula and the Komet Tribe of Mer Island in the Torres Strait. With over seven years of experience in the legal sector, Karen has worked extensively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and has a strong commitment to advocating for First Nations peoples. Karen is deeply passionate about ensuring that her people can understand and navigate Western legal and institutional systems. She strives to bridge the gap between Indigenous and Western (Kole) languages, empowering communities with the knowledge to fully comprehend what is being said and done in legal and procedural contexts.

Kiri Harris

Kiri Harris is a proud Kulkalaig woman from the Kulkalgal nation, raised on Thursday Island (Waiben). Throughout her career, she has worked in various roles and organizations across Australia but always felt a strong pull to return home and contribute to her community. Becoming a Cultural Support Officer has given her the opportunity to do just that.

Shanice Havili

Shanice Havili is a proud Meriam woman from Dauareb and Peibri tribes of Murray Island (Mer) in the Torres Strait. She’s deeply connected to her cultural heritage and connected to her otems being nam (green sea turtle) and peibri sor (spotted eagle ray). She was born and raised on Thursday Island, where she continues to live and work. Despite the challenges of distance, Shanice has remained committed to learning and practicing her culture and traditions.

Cultural Recognition Order

A Cultural Recognition Order is a legal document that transfers a child’s parentage from their birth parents to their cultural parents; legally recognising a child’s cultural parents in Queensland law.

Meet the Commissioner

Learn about our inaugural Commissioner,
Proud Meriam and Yidinjdji man C’Zarke Maza and learn how he helps Zenadth Kes families.

Community Visits

Our next community visit:

There are no upcoming events at this time