Meet the board

Meet the Board

At the Aboriginal Family Legal Services Queensland (Maruma-li-mari), our Board of Directors provides the leadership, governance, and strategic direction that guide our organisation.

Comprised of three dedicated individuals with diverse skills, knowledge and lived experiences, the Board is committed to strengthening outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.

Through strong governance, cultural integrity, and a shared vision, our directors help ensure AFLSQ continues to deliver high-quality, culturally safe legal and non-legal support across our Queensland Service Area.

Aunty Glenda

Chair Person

Susan Klein

Director

Charlie Waters

Director

About the Board

Aunty Glenda:

Aunty Glenda Humes is the Chair of the Board at AFLSQ and came to us with a wealth of knowledge and lived experience. She was born in Melbourne and is a proud Gunditjmara woman. Aunty Glenda’s mob is from the Western districts of Victoria; however, she grew up in Sydney, New South Wales where she would later meet and marry her husband—a Noongar man from Western Australia.

Later in life, Aunty Glenda moved to Canberra, where she studied Law at the Australian National University. Following her graduation, Aunty Glenda spent some time working for ATSIC, the Aboriginal Legal Service, and ATSILS. Additionally, she worked as Deputy CEO, and Deputy Chair of the Board at NACCHO.

Aunty Glenda has always been heavily involved in community and working and advocating for mob, reflected in her involvement in the National Justice Group, formed after the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in custody.

Since moving to Toowoomba, Aunty Glenda reflects on her time here as one of her greatest life experiences, stating that she loves living here. Giving back in life is her greatest desire, notable in her time working for Lifeline and serving on The Board there before applying for a position on The Board at AFLSQ. Aunty Glenda states it is a great honour to serve as Chair, but her greatest honour was being awarded the Life Achievement Award at the 2025 NAIDOC Awards Gala.

Reflecting on her greatest achievement in life, Aunty Glenda recalls her father fighting in the army in the Battle of Crete. She spent some time in Crete with the families who had protected her father during his time there and, upon returning to Australia, her family erected a memorial honouring the soldiers who fought in this little-known battle. The memorial includes a story board, written in both English and Greek, and every year, crowds gather there for a ceremony, bringing awareness to this important battle.

Aunty Glenda is a devoted mother and grandmother and, put simply, she loves kids, stating, “They are our future.” Her family will always be her greatest love.

AFLSQ is honoured to be led by such a strong, resilient, and empowered First Nations woman.

Susie:

Susan (Susie) Klein is a proud Jaularoi woman. She was born on the traditional lands of the Mandandanji people, in what is now known as Roma in Southwest Queensland, Australia.

She is married and has two adult children who bring immense pride and joy to her life. Susie is also deeply grateful to my mother, whose dedication to preserving family history has been instrumental in strengthening her connection to her culture, community, and ancestors.

Susie’s parents carry connections to the Jaularoi, Kamilaroi, and Gungarri peoples, and through them, she has inherited a rich cultural heritage that continues to shape who she is today. She is one of six siblings and feels she is fortunate to, not only call them family, but also dear friends. Together, they share many of the creative gifts passed down through their parents.

Creativity has always been at the heart of who Susie is. She has had a lifelong passion for art in all its forms and finds great fulfilment in using creativity to connect, inspire, and empower others. This passion is reflected in her personal motto: “Engaging communities creatively.”

As an artist, Susie works across a diverse range of mediums and embraces every opportunity to learn, create, and share. Whether painting with acrylics, oils, watercolours, or ochres; drawing with pastels, pencils, or charcoal; or sculpting with clay, wire, plaster, tin, or textiles, she is continually inspired by the impact art can have on individuals and communities. Susie also enjoys exploring digital creative practices through photography and computer-based design.

A quote that has guided Susie throughout her creative journey is from Susan Jeffers: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” These words have encouraged her to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and continue growing both as an artist and as a person.

Most importantly, Susie loves sharing what she learns with others and believes that creativity has the power to build connections, strengthen communities, and create positive change.

AFLSQ is grateful to have such a talented and passionate woman on board to help lead and direct our organisation.

Charlie:

Charlie Waters is a proud Kamilaroi man and a respected First Nations community leader based in Toowoomba. He is dedicated to strengthening outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through advocacy, cultural leadership, and community engagement. A proud advocate for his community, Charlie has spent many years supporting individuals and families through culturally informed programs and initiatives that promote wellbeing, resilience, and positive life outcomes.

Charlie brings extensive governance and leadership experience through his involvement with a range of community organisations and committees. His contributions include serving as a respected person with the Yumbin Community Justice Group (Murri Court), a board member of Toowoomba Together Incorporated, a committee member of the Bi-Yanga Toowoomba Local Decision-Making Body, and an active member of the local NAIDOC Committee. Through these roles, he has worked tirelessly to promote community empowerment, cultural pride, and social justice.

Passionate about supporting First Nations peoples to walk strong in their identity and culture, Charlie believes in the importance of self-determination, connection to community, and creating opportunities for future generations. His leadership is guided by respect, cultural integrity, and a commitment to building stronger, healthier communities for all.

Additionally, Charlie is a talented traditional and contemporary Aboriginal artist, specialising in, not only paintings, but also handcrafted cultural artefacts, such as spears, woomeras, boomerangs, and didgeridoos.

Charlie is passionate about sharing cultural knowledge through his art, storytelling, and hands-on learning. Through these channels, Charlie empowers community to engage with Aboriginal heritage in meaningful and impactful ways.

AFLSQ is deeply appreciative of Charlie’s continued commitment to leading the organisation, as well as all he has done and continues to do for community and mob.