Katie Hicks

Background

About Katie Hicks

In 2014, I left the Central West region of NSW for the Northern Territory to run youth programs across the Top End. What began as a professional step quickly became part of who I am: working alongside communities, learning from diverse cultures and navigating complex landscapes where policy meets people. A fascination with cultural intersections has taken me across the red dirt roads of the central and western deserts, to the coasts of Arnhem Land and the rugged edges of the Kimberley - places that have quietly shaped both my work and my life. In 2017, my path led me to Fiji as a New Colombo Plan Scholar through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's prestigious scholarship program. While living in Fiji, I studied a semester abroad at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, and following Cyclone Winston in 2016 I contributed to community-led development projects in the remote villages of the Dawasamu district. My role was to support community-led initiatives, from rebuilding homes and running youth programs to helping women’s microfinance businesses and many other projects. This work taught me how locally driven decisions and culturally grounded practice strengthen communities, and all I wanted was to continue to do this work. Over the past decade, my experience spans from managing remote youth programs, stakeholder engagements, community consultations and work in child protection and youth justice. My expertise also extends to place-based research in East Arnhem Land, with a focus on participatory monitoring and evaluation, aligned with the principles of Yolŋu governance and the Local Decision Making framework. Over the course of my career, I’ve been guided through the practice of deep listening, strong relationships and an understanding of cultural nuances. My role has always been to work alongside individuals and communities to ensure that policy, programs and services are community-led and designed and shaped in ways that genuinely improve peoples lives.