Wayne is the Australian Education Union Federal Aboriginal Education Officer. He is descended from the Ngugi and Nunukul Clans of North Stradbroke Island, Gungurri Clan of Mitchell and the Waragamay Clan of the Ingham area. Wayne is a qualified primary school teacher and his work includes a secondment teaching English as a foreign language in Thailand. Wayne is currently completing a Masters of Education (Indigenous Studies).
Wayne has worked in policy and program development and project management in the Commonwealth and Queensland Public Services including the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) where he wrote the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Career Development Strategy and the Partnership Commitment Strategy. He has also worked in Education Queensland where his major roles entailed working on literacy, VET in Schools and Off-campus student support projects.
Wayne also has extensive Community Development experience serving on Management Committees for Aboriginal community organisations including as Chair of the Meeanjin Treatment Association, Board Member of the Musgrave Park Cultural Centre and Board Member of Reconciliation Queensland.