Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) is searching for a new National Director following the resignation of Gary Highland from the position he has held for the past three years.

The responsibility for caring for his young son has meant that Mr Highland is no longer able to work full time.

“The position of ANTaR National Director is a rewarding and challenging one. But it’s not a job you can do part time,” Mr Highland said.

Mr Highland said that although he is very much enjoying being at home caring for his young son and in no way regrets the decision to resign, he will leave ANTaR with a heavy heart.

“It’s been an immense privilege work in support of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people these past three years. There aren’t many people who are able to combine their life’s passion with their job and I’ve been very fortunate to be able to do that at ANTaR,” he said.

Mr Highland said the things he was most proud of from his time at ANTaR were the successful Close the Gap Indigenous health campaign, the support given to Stolen Generations members in the lead up to the national apology and moving ANTaR into a new area of work – supporting Aboriginal people seeking to overcome violence and abuse in their communities.

His greatest disappointments included the failures to achieve repayment of stolen wages to Aboriginal workers in Queensland, and to secure an adequate response to the Breaking the Silence report on abuse of Aboriginal children in NSW.

“Although I’m proud of the small steps we’ve been able to take during my time at ANTaR, these things are insignificant compared to what still needs to be done if we’re to achieve a just and reconciled Australia.”

ANTaR’s National President, Dr Janet Hunt said that she was immensely grateful for the enormous commitment, energy and skill that Gary Highland had brought to the role of National Director.

“Gary has made a significant contribution to ANTaR over the last few years. His campaigning expertise, his ability to build strong alliances and his lobbying capacity have helped us make a tangible difference for Aboriginal people. His work has been widely appreciated by Indigenous leaders,” Dr Hunt said.

“Gary will stay involved with ANTaR in a voluntary capacity, but we now need to find another National Director to lead the management of the organisation from our Sydney office.”

Dr Hunt said the successful candidate would possess excellent leadership, organisational and communication skills and experience.

“Our National Director also requires a detailed knowledge of the issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Dr Hunt said.

“An ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is essential, as is an understanding of and commitment to the community-based reconciliation process that has developed since 1990,” she said.

Details of the position are available at www.antar.org.au/jobs. Applications close on Friday 22 May.

Media contacts: Gary Highland on 0418 476 940 and Dr Janet Hunt on 0408 170 448