Former Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Fred Gela has been appointed to the executive team at not-for-profit remote store operator Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ).
Mr Gela, the inaugural mayor of the amalgamated Torres Strait Island Regional Council from 2008-2020, has joined CEQ in the role of General Manager – Stakeholder Engagement.
He has previously served on the IBIS Board from 2009-2016 as a Member and Acting Chair, and will be predominantly based on Thursday Island in CEQ’s Victoria Parade office.
Mr Gela said: “It’s an absolute privilege and honour to be blessed with the opportunity to continue to serve the region’s Indigenous communities.
“I’ve gained a wealth of experience and have built many strategic alliances and partnerships over a period of 19 years in politics, serving under community and local government, which will complement our very capable CEQ team.”
CEQ Chief Executive Officer Ian Copeland said he was delighted to welcome someone of Mr Gela’s standing in the Torres Strait community to the organisation.
“Fred brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience to our team, and the relationships he’s established at all levels of community and government in the Torres Strait will add immense value to this role,” said Mr Copeland.
“His understanding of our business and the part we play in the social and economic fabric of the communities we serve is unparalleled, and I welcome him into our team.”
CEQ is a not-for-profit organisation responsible for providing goods and essential services to the Torres Strait, Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), and mainland Aboriginal remote communities through its 27 stores.
CEQ’s Corporate Office is based in Cairns, and manages Islanders Board of Industry and Service (IBIS) and Aboriginal Business, Industry and Service (ABIS) remote stores, as well as other stores including Col Jones and Mitre 10 on Thursday Island.
For more information, visit www.ceqld.org.au
