Joy Cardona

Elna Joy Cardona is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, who is a Traditional Owner of the Malak Malak. Joy grew up in Darwin and went to the Catholic School at St. Mary's. And later Joy obtained a degree in Applied Science in Aboriginal Community Management and Development. She showed great interests in various sports like basketball, hockey, cycling, softball and Aussie Rules. Joy first joined the work force in 1972 in the Department of Health. Her job was to assist the Matron at RDH. She also worked in the Department of Housing and Construction Registry. Unfortunately, after Cyclone Tracy, Joy had to move to Perth where she continued to work in the same department. Later, Joy returned to Darwin and joined the NT Police as the Aboriginal Liaison Officer. Soon after Joy worked with the Northern Land Council and subsequently was elected as an Executive member for the Northern Land Council for Darwin. In due course of time, Joy worked for the Federal Government of DEET, delivering programs to remote communities in the Top End of the Northern Territory. Interestingly, Joy is actively involved in sports and was appointed as the first Aboriginal woman umpire to officiate more than 100 AFL games in the NT. She has been involved over the years in NT basketball, hockey, softball and cycling. She was honoured with a Special Contribution to Indigenous Sport (female) award at the 6th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards (Perth: 1996). Joy is currently employed with the Northern Territory Library, as the Aboriginal Heritage Co-ordinator for Public Libraries and Knowledge Centres. In this position she is assisting the NT Library in developing culturally appropriate Indigenous Library and Information Services for Darwin and the remote communities. Joy is one of four NT NATSIWG National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Gathering Delegates, she is also on the (ATSIDA) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Data Archive Reference Group for UTS, and Secretary for ATSLIRN Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library Information Research Network. Joy also writes commentaries for the Australian Centre for Leadership for Women. This is one of them: Pre-Election Analysis Panel on 18 April 2010 Steering Policy Analysis of 2010 Election Issues & Policies' Impact on Women's Election Priorities Steering Policy : Improving the Status of Australian women, families, communities and the nation Making Government more effective and responsive to women's concerns Improving the Status of Australian women, families, communities and the nation.AFL UmpireTeam Manager - Tiwi BombersIndigenous Heritage Co-ordinatorIndigenous Australia