Michael Hayden is a Njaki Njaki Noongar man from the Eastern Wheatbelt with traditional connections to the Ballardong, Wudjak and Yuat clans. Michael is Managing Director and owner of Maarli Services Pty Ltd and co-owner of Maarli Biddi Traffic Service Pty Ltd and Director of Njaki Njaki Aboriginal Cultural Tours (his dad’s business). Michael previously worked in the resource sector as the Aboriginal Affairs Manager with engineering firm Calibre Global responsible for contracting, procurement, cultural awareness and employment & training. Michael has a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from Curtin University, is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and was a Senior Contract Manager for the Commonwealth Government for over a decade.
Michael has more than 20 years’ professional experience in policy, community, and business development, contract & project management, native title, and strategic engagement with Aboriginal communities. This has placed Michael in a number of professional positions, actively engaged in advancing Aboriginal people. He served as the Deputy Chairman of South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council (SWALSC) for 3 years and was a member of the South West Native Title Settlement Negotiation team. He was a board member of the Western Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council, serving as Chairman (Ministers Advisor) for 3 years and was a former board member of the Western Australian Youth Justice Board. His current roles include Native Title Trust Advisor for Australian Executor Trustees, Director of Njaki Njaki Aboriginal Cultural Tours, Director of Maarli Biddi Traffic Services and a Director of the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.