City of Darwin has appointed five community members to its Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, with returning member Tiffany Brown appointed as Chair, bringing together a diverse range of lived experience, professional expertise and community advocacy to help guide a more inclusive Darwin.

The Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee advocates, informs and provides recommendations to Council on improving access and inclusion for people of all abilities living, working, studying and visiting the municipality.

Lord Mayor Peter Styles said the newly appointed members would play an important role in helping shape a more accessible and inclusive city.

“City of Darwin is committed to creating a welcoming city and inclusive community where everyone can participate fully in civic, social and community life," Mr Styles said.

“The Committee brings together people with valuable lived experience and professional expertise who will provide important perspectives and help guide our work to remove barriers and create better opportunities for people of all abilities across Darwin,” he said.

The Committee meets between four and six times each year and provides advice and recommendations to Council on matters relating to accessibility and inclusion

The five newly appointed community representatives are:

• Tiffany Brown (Chair) - a former Committee member and Deaf woman who brings valuable lived experience and professional expertise to the role. As the founder and director of AccessiBelle, a Deaf-led accessibility consultancy, and with more than 15 years’ experience across local and Australian Government, Ms Brown brings strong community connections and a deep understanding of accessibility and inclusion.
• Rikki Dehne - a Youth Development Coach supporting young people aged 15 to 25 living with disability. As a member of the 2026 NT Youth Round Table, Ms Dehne brings a strong youth advocacy voice and lived experience to the Committee.
• Jessica Simmons - Programs Manager at Mental Illness Fellowship Australia NT, who has extensive executive leadership and community development experience. Ms Simmons has designed inclusive programs across sport, mental health and multicultural communities and brings strong governance and stakeholder engagement expertise.
• Jorge Palma - a wheelchair user who brings firsthand experience of accessibility barriers across public spaces, transport and tourism. With a background in aged care and a Master's degree in Sustainable Tourism, Mr Palma offers a solutions-focused perspective on inclusive design.
• Helen Pachos - a carer for her adult daughter who has an acquired brain injury and uses an electric wheelchair. A Teacher of the Deaf for more than 30 years, Ms Pachos has spent two decades on the Transport Advisory Committee and currently serves on the WAV Reform Committee, bringing significant lived and advocacy experience, particularly in accessible transport.

Councillor Clarence McCarthy-Grogan has also joined the Committee, bringing lived experience, advocacy and a strong focus on grassroots community participation. 

A Darwin local and proud Yanyuwa, Garrawa and Kuku Yalanji man, Councillor McCarthy-Grogan is an accomplished wheelchair basketball player and Australian representative, with a background working with young people, people with disability and people of all abilities. 

He is also a coach, mentor, motivational speaker and advocate for people with disability, and is passionate about creating opportunities for everyone to participate in community life.

For more information about the Committee visit darwin.nt.gov.au/council/committees/access-and-inclusion-advisory-committee

To view City of Darwin’s Access Strategy visit darwin.nt.gov.au/community/programs/access-and-inclusion