Executive Staff

Matthew Burns

Chief Executive Officer

Matthew Burns is the CEO of the Taungurung Land & Waters Council (TLaWC) and a proud Taungurung man.  He is elected reserved seat member for Taungurung Land & Waters Council on the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, the body which operates as the voice for Aboriginal communities across the state, representing them in the next phase of the Treaty process. Previously Matthew was a community elected representative for the metropolitan region in the first term of the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria. Matthew is also a Director and Treasurer of the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA). 

Bonnie Cavanagh

Chief Operating Officer

Bonnie is the Chief Operating Officer of TLaWC, with lifelong ties to Taungurung Country and the Broadford community.

As a Taungurung woman, Bonnie is proud to not only strongly represent her mob, but to support their aspirations and build an exciting future for the Taungurung Nation.

Prior to joining the corporation, Bonnie was a highly respected and long-serving public service employee, bringing with her extensive experience in governance, project management, community and stakeholder engagement, communications, policy, and justice.

Matthew Shanks

Executive Manager

Matt brings strong skills in cross-cultural environmental management and policy advocacy. Throughout his career he’s worked to support Traditional Owners right across Victoria negotiate with Government to activate their rights to heal and care for Country through the delivery of several Traditional Owner led policies and strategies with progressive reform agendas.

Matt has formerly worked for the TLaWC RAP and CLM teams, as well as served as a TLaWC Director for over 4 years.

He is passionate about the realisation of Taungurung authority for all things related to Country and Culture.