About Us
About Dale Agius
Dale Agius is a proud Kaurna, Narungga, Ngadjuri and Ngarrindjeri man who carries deep respect for the cultural knowledge, stories, and resilience of his people. With strong ties across four language groups, Dale has dedicated his career to creating lasting change for Aboriginal communities in South Australia. Over the past 18 years, he has worked across Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Correctional Services, the Office for the Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement, and as a Ministerial Advisor and as Manager of Metropolitan Aboriginal Youth and Family Services, and he has also held the significant role of Commissioner for South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliment. He now serves as the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, a role that places him at the forefront of advocating for the rights, safety, and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people across the state.
Beyond government, Dale is deeply rooted in community life. He is the President of the Kilburn Football and Cricket Club and Chair of the South Australian Aboriginal Football and Netball Carnival, platforms through which he champions inclusion, cultural pride, and leadership for the next generation.
Dale is driven by a deep commitment to social justice, self-determination, and community empowerment. His passion lies in ensuring that Aboriginal voices are not only heard but are leading decisions that shape the future. He envisions a future where Aboriginal children grow up strong in culture, surrounded by opportunity, and where systems are shaped with, not just for, community. With every role he takes on, Dale is building a South Australia where respect, equity, and truth-telling are at the heart of how we live and lead together.
The Role of the Commissioner
The role of Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People is established under the Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Act 2016.
The Commissioner is empowered to undertake a range of functions related to Aboriginal children and young people and is the only independent body created solely to promote the rights, development and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people within South Australia, at a systemic level. This includes developing culturally safe and informed strategies and promoting Aboriginal voice with regard for the safety and wellbeing of all Aboriginal children and young people.
With complementary functions, the Commissioner works alongside other independent bodies such as the:
- Commissioner for Children and Young People
- Guardian for Children and Young People in Care
- Child Development Council
- Child Death and Serious Injury Review Committee.
These independent bodies are enshrined in the Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Act 2016 and have individual obligations to fulfill and perform functions that contribute to improving outcomes for children and young people in South Australia, inclusive of Aboriginal children and young people. This legislation was introduced as a direct outcome of the Royal Commission into South Australia’s child protection systems.
The Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People is guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; the principle accord which lays out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of children, as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; the central instrument that defines the collective rights of Indigenous Peoples to their own distinct cultures and to pursue their development according to their own needs and aspirations.
The Commissioner promotes and advocates for the rights, interests and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people in South Australia in the realm of their indigeneity, and ensures that, as a part of the global community, South Australia enacts its obligations to these key covenants.
The Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People is empowered to perform certain powers and functions specified in the Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Act 2016.
The Commissioner does not have legal authority or powers to:
- Receive and/or investigate individual Child Protection reports. These powers and responsibilities rest with the Department for Child Protection and SAPOL.
- Receive and/or investigate concerns of suspected abuse of a child or young person in state care. These powers and responsibilities rest with the Department for Child Protection.
- Investigate individual Child Protection complaints. These powers and responsibilities rest with the Department for Child Protection, the Ombudsman and the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT).
- Stop removal orders, change placements or reunify Aboriginal children back to their parents, family or community. These powers and responsibilities rest with the Department for Child Protection and the Youth Court of South Australia.
- Interfere with or bypass statutory processes for individual Child Protection matters.
If you are contacting the Office of the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People to make a child protection or care concern report, you will be directed to the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) as the responsible authority within the Department for Child Protection to deal with such matters.
Our Staff
Danielle James
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Danielle James is a Traditional Owner of the Nauo Nation and a Director on the Board for the Wirangu / Nauo Aboriginal Corporation. She currently serves as the Manager for Policy and Programs – Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People in South Australia.
Danielle has over 26 years of dedicated service in the South Australia Police (SAPOL). As an employee of SAPOL, Danielle has committed to numerous diverse roles including Aboriginal Policy Officer, Ministerial Liaison, and investigator with both the Criminal Investigations Branch and Anti-Corruption Branch. The majority of Danielle’s policing career has comprised of serving the broader community in the capacity of general duties police officer across metropolitan, regional, and remote areas of South Australia, including several years stationed in the APY Lands.
Prior to her policing career, Danielle served as a crew member with the Westpac Search and Rescue Helicopter Service and as a youth worker with the Aboriginal Family Support Service in South Australia.
Danielle holds a Master of Business Administration, a Postgraduate Certificate in Management, Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management and an Advanced Diploma of Police Management. Danielle is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and an alumna of the Governors Leadership Foundation, South Australia. Danielle greatest achievement is being a devoted and loving mother to her teenage son.
Rachel Greenrod
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Rachel Greenrod is a master’s-level social worker with a strong foundation in trauma-informed, culturally responsive, child- and youth-centred practice. She recently joined CACYP as a Senior Policy and Research Officer, bringing over 15 years of experience in the government sector at the Department of Human Services (DHS), complemented by work in non-government sectors including youth homelessness, narrative counselling services, and her early role as a youth worker with Aboriginal Family Support Services.
Career highlights include co-leading the development of the DHS Aboriginal Child Diversion Program and contributing to system reform through her involvement in the Connected Youth Journey Lab project, a partnership initiative with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment. Rachel is a passionate social justice advocate with a deeply held belief in elevating the voices of young people. She is committed to lifelong learning and dedicated to advancing strategic, cross-sector initiatives that challenge existing systems and foster meaningful, positive change.
In her downtime, Rachel enjoys being as close as possible to the ocean with her husband, her daughter, and their trio of mischievous adopted dogs.
Megan Thredgold
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Megan Thredgold is a proud Kokatha woman, born and raised in the Clare Valley. She joined CACYP in 2021 as Business Manager, bringing with her over a decade of experience in administration and a strong background in customer service. Megan is committed to fostering a positive and productive workplace that enables the Commissioner and team to thrive. She is passionate about meaningful work that is both challenging and rewarding, and her cultural values of family, community, and self-determination guide her leadership and approach.
Before joining CACYP, Megan spent 12 years with the Department for Education – Aboriginal Education Directorate, where she developed her skills in office administration and community and stakeholder support and engagement.
Outside of work, Megan is a dedicated mum to three boys and enjoys spending quality time with them and her husband.
Xena Habel
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Xena Habel is an experienced project and events professional with a strong background in government, community engagement, and communications. She is currently working within the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People’s office as a Senior Project Officer. Xena has contributed to the Inquiry and projects that address complex issues that aim to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families.
With more than 17 years of experience across the South Australian Government and earlier career roles in Australia, Hong Kong, and London, Xena brings a unique mix of strategic insight and practical delivery skills. She is known for her ability to build trusted relationships, coordinate diverse stakeholders, and deliver projects that balance detail, deadlines, and impact.
Her career highlights include leading regional and international engagement programs, including a student leadership trip through Vietnam and Laos. Wherever she works, Xena brings focus, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to creating positive change.
Originally from Kangaroo Island, Xena has a lifelong passion for travel, people, and learning. She has explored 47 countries and thrives on discovering new cultures and perspectives, bringing curiosity, empathy, and global insight into everything she does.
Steven Pepper
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Steven Pepper is a Kaurna, Narungga and Ngarrindjeri man with a strong commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal children, young people, and families. A former professional soccer player in Europe, Steven brings strong leadership, teamwork, and resilience to his project work. He has also worked as a Senior Project and Policy Officer with the Aboriginal Language Interpreting Service (ALIS), which provides Aboriginal language interpreters across South Australia to ensure Aboriginal people can access services and have their voices heard in their first language. Now based on Kaurna Country with his wife and three young children, he is passionate about embedding Aboriginal young people voices and perspectives in project development to create meaningful and lasting change.
Vision
South Australian Aboriginal children and young people grow up safe and strong in their family, community, culture and country, and proud in their identity.
Purpose
Promote the rights, development and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people within South Australia at a systemic level; ensuring the State of South Australia adheres to the international covenants under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Be a catalyst for change by challenging systems to become culturally responsive to the rights and needs of Aboriginal children, young people, their families and communities.
Values & Principals
Our values and principles guide how we think and act in sustaining our vision and purpose as we work to advance the rights and interests of Aboriginal children and young people.
Child and Young Person Centred
Aboriginal children and young peoples’ development and wellbeing is our primary concern. We preference and privilege the voices of Aboriginal children and young people.
Rights Focused
The rights of Aboriginal children and young people to grow up with a cultural identity within family, community, culture and country.
Cultural Integrity
Respecting and doing what’s right by South Australian Aboriginal children, young people and communities.
Self-Determination and Self-Efficacy
We advocate and promote Aboriginal people’s right to lead decision making in the best interests of Aboriginal children and young people.
Independence
We operate free from control and influence of Government.
Collaboration
We work with Aboriginal children and young people, families and communities to drive change.
Transparency and Accountability
We meet expectations of accountability to partners and communities; accept responsibility and hold ourselves accountable for results.
Impact
We have a marked effect on the participation, development and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people.
Social Justice
We draw attention to injustices for Aboriginal children and young people and the systemic reform required to improve their outcomes across various social indices.
Strategic Directions
Key activities against these four strategic priority areas will be reported in the Commissioner’s Annual Reports to Parliament.
Systemic Change
Investigate and report on systemic issues impacting outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people.
Advocacy and Advice
Provide independent advocacy on individual and systemic issues affecting the rights, wellbeing and development of Aboriginal children and young people.
Provide advice and information to individual members of the Aboriginal community to navigate systems in support of Aboriginal children and young people.
Voice and Agency
Create opportunities and platforms to listen to and amplify the voices of Aboriginal children and young people.
Promote the participation of Aboriginal children and young people in decisions that affect them, their family and their community.
Leadership
Lead and collaborate with community and government on local, state, national and international initiatives to advance the rights and interests of Aboriginal children and young people.