Ned David
Chair, Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council (GBK)
Chair, Torres Strait Islanders Regional Education Council (TSIREC)
Director, Yumi Education Services
Advisory Board Member
Ned David is a Kulkalaig, a Traditional Owner of the Central Islands of the Torres Strait.
His homeland of Magan includes Tudu (Warrior Island), Iama (Yam Island), Gebarr (Gabba Island), Mucar (Cap Island), Sassie and Zagai, the surrounding reefs of Wapa (Warrior reef) and Thidu (Dungeness reef). Ned has family connections to the Komet tribe of Mer (Murray Island) through his mother and to the Doeybaw clan of Saibai Island through his father.
Ned is a respected leader and the current Chair of the Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Corporation (GBK).
Extending his strong commitment to cultural and community excellence, he is also the Chair of the Magani Lagaugal Registed Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC), the Malu Lamar RNTBC and the Torres Strait Islanders Regional Education Council.
Ned’s career background includes working closely with all levels of government and the private sector.
Advisory Board Member
Ned David is a Kulkalaig, a Traditional Owner of the Central Islands of the Torres Strait.
His homeland of Magan includes Tudu (Warrior Island), Iama (Yam Island), Gebarr (Gabba Island), Mucar (Cap Island), Sassie and Zagai, the surrounding reefs of Wapa (Warrior reef) and Thidu (Dungeness reef). Ned has family connections to the Komet tribe of Mer (Murray Island) through his mother and to the Doeybaw clan of Saibai Island through his father.
Ned is a respected leader and the current Chair of the Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Corporation (GBK).
Extending his strong commitment to cultural and community excellence, he is also the Chair of the Magani Lagaugal Registed Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC), the Malu Lamar RNTBC and the Torres Strait Islanders Regional Education Council.
Ned’s career background includes working closely with all levels of government and the private sector.
Leadership Roles & Achievements
Peak Body Leadership
- Chair, Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council (GBK) - Peak body for 22 Registered Native Title Body Corporates (RNTBCs) in Torres Strait - 100% Indigenous-controlled not-for-profit body
- Chair, Torres Strait Islanders Regional Education Council (TSIREC) -
- Director, Yumi Education Services
Native Title Leadership
- Chair, Magani Lagaugal Registered Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC)
- Chair, Malu Lamar Registered Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC)
- Native Title Service Provider role - GBK became NTSP for Torres Strait (July 2022)
Climate & Environmental Leadership
- Steering Committee Member, Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area Climate Resilience Centre - $15.9 million investment over 6 years (2022-23 to 2027-28)
- Climate Resilience Grant Program advocacy - Up to $10.8 million over 3 years for recruitment and training of local climate resilience officers
- Co-signatory, Land and Sea Management Strategy for Torres Strait (2016-2036) -
National & Advisory Board Positions
- Board Member, National Native Title Council (NNTC) (2020)
- Advisory Board Member, Mabo Centre
- Member, Country Needs People campaign
Published Works
- AIATSIS Summit 2023 Mabo Lecture - Delivered by Ned David
- Foreword contributor, Recording Kastom publication (2021)
- Towards Torres Strait Autonomy: An Interview With GBK's Ned David - Sydney Criminal Lawyers (March 2020)
- ABC News - Country Needs People campaign