New Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People

15 May 2026
New commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young people banner
The Governor in Council has appointed Mr Dallas Widdicombe as Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People at the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) on the recommendation of the Minister for Children, the Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn.

This follows the resignation of the former Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People Ms Meena Singh on 19 December 2025.

Mr Widdicombe is a proud Darug man with over 11 years executive leadership experience as an Aboriginal leader.

He has worked across a range of Aboriginal community-controlled organisations in Victoria and Western Australia. Most recently he was Chief Executive Officer at the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative, an organisation dedicated to delivering flexible and responsive services to the Aboriginal community in Dja Dja Wurrung County.

Mr Widdicombe has extensive governance experience, previously holding directorships with the National and Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and chairing the Loddon Mallee Aboriginal Reference Group. He is skilled in stakeholder relations, financial and risk management and has been a strong advocate for the rights of Aboriginal people in Victoria.

Mr Widdicombe will begin his role on 15 June 2026 for a five-year term.

Ms Tracy Beaton was appointed Principal Commissioner for the CCYP in December 2025.