Dr Rishelle Hume AM is a proud Noongar woman with traditional ties to the Whadjuk, Ballardong and Gnaala Karla Boodja peoples.
A mother of three, the Joondalup resident is a direct descendent and granddaughter of the highly respected Noongar Wadjuk Elders, Mr Patrick, and Ms Lorna Hume; a duo that spent their lives tirelessly promoting Aboriginal rights and Noongar culture. Following in her grandparent’s footsteps she has had almost three decades of experience in Aboriginal engagement including in the fields of employment, education, justice, and health.
This has included roles as chairperson of the Mandjah Boodjah Aboriginal Corporation and co-chairperson of the Western Australian Aboriginal Leadership Institute, a body she co-founded to inspire and support Aboriginal people to take up leadership opportunities to strengthen their families and communities. In 2018 the UNESCO Commissioner of Culture was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia AM division for her services to the Aboriginal community. Among earlier achievements, Dr Hume was awarded the 2016 Western Australian of the Year Award (Aboriginal Category) and was inducted into the Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame in 2019.