Aunty Millie Penny is a proud Noongar woman and her country includes, Whadjuk, Boojarah and Ballardong.

Before retirement Millie worked in the community sector for over 27 years.  The majority of her work focused on women and family violence, including working for Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation, for 12 years.

Millie continues to contribute to both the sector and community and is an integral part of WACOSS, guiding and supporting us in our mission.

Charmaine Pell is also a Noongar woman and her country includes, Whadjuk, Boojarah, Wagyl Kaip, Ballardong and Gnaala.

Charmaine is a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Before her retirement Charmaine worked for 20 years in Child and Adolescence community services.

Charmaine supports WACOSS to improve and enhance practice, ensuring cultural security on Noongar land.

Sabine has been the Member for Wanneroo since 2017 and was appointed as Minister for Early Childhood Education; Child Protection; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services in the McGowan Labor Government in 2022.

Before becoming a Minister, Sabine served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Public Sector Management; Federal-State Relations and Deputy Premier; Minister for State Development; Jobs and Trade; Tourism; Commerce; Science. Sabine was also a member of the Education and Health Standing Committee and served as Acting Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Prior to entering politics, Sabine was a teacher for 27 years throughout regional and remote Western Australia, as well as the Perth metropolitan area.

Di Darmody is an engaging, entertaining and polished Master of Ceremonies, conference host and event facilitator.

With over 19 years’ experience as a journalist and presenter with ABC Radio, Di is a well-known – and popular – voice for listeners in Perth and throughout Western Australia.

Her warm and friendly nature gives her the ability to engage any crowd, from business executives to guests at a gala ball or families at a community event.

Her poise, professionalism and bubbly presentation style makes her a favourite with event organisers and she has hosted many prestigious corporate and government events and conferences.

Jim Morrison is a Minang-Goreng Noongar Elder, a Traditional Custodian of WA’s pristine southern coast who has passed his strong Aboriginal values to following generations of his extended family.

He has been a leader in pivotal Aboriginal community advancement roles for over four decades, working for the rights of the Stolen Generations and their families; Aboriginal child protection; the tragic mental health, justice and suicide issues in his community; equity in access to culturally safe services in State and Commonwealth Governments; Aboriginal Elder (Aged) Care overdue prison reforms; trauma informed healing programs and the formation and management of Aboriginal controlled organisations providing services to Aboriginal families and their broader communities.

He has won the John Curtin Medal for services to the community and partnered in winning seven awards in the virtual and Elder Survivor story augmented conservation of Aboriginal Missions in WA. Jim is the current Chair of the WA Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation, a founding member of Reconciliation WA and the architect and initial manager of Yokai Healing Our Spirit. Jim’s favourite hobby is hosting a weekly Aboriginal current affairs program Moorditj Mag on Perth’s RTRFM 92.1, which feeds to Noongar Radio.

Renna is a proud Walbunja woman from the Yuin nation on south coast of NSW. Living on Noongar Boodja for the past 26 years she is mother to four beautiful daughters.

Renna studies social work full time at Curtin University and works as a lived experience advisor/advocate across various organisations and institutions.

She currently works with the Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health as the Cultural and Community Engagement Co-ordinator and part time with the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in a student support role.

Recently elected onto the WACOSS board, Renna hopes to continue to drive positive change for disempowered peoples at all levels of government, the sector and within our communities.

Stacie Mei (She/Her) has a Lived and Living Experience of suicide, mental health, child abuse and family violence. Her vision is that “no more young people should live her experience”.

She started her transition in February 2022 and is still navigating the system on her journey of womanhood, however, is passionate about raising the visibility and awareness of the issues trans and non-binary peoples face. Stacie Mei is on the board of the Rotary LGBT Fellowship and GRAI (GLBTI Rights in Aging), advocating for community.

Stacie Mei joined the WA Mental Health Commission as Senior Project Manager supporting the development of the Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces.

Tinashe now lives in Perth, Australia, having moved from Harare, Zimbabwe, in 2004, to further her studies.

It was whilst she was pursuing her studies, she became involved in a relationship with an abusive boyfriend. She tried constantly to leave the relationship and always found herself going back. In her quest for freedom, she faced her fears and became who she is today, a very passionate advocate in the area of family and domestic violence. Surrounded by men and women in abusive relationships, many of whom are unaware of their predicament and by young people unable to open up to their loved ones regarding toxic relationships they find themselves in, Tinashe hopes to encourage conversations where often there is silence. Tinashe realizes that her story can motivate those going through similar situations, to inspire them to face their fears and go on to live loving and fulfilling lives beyond the mountain before them.

If she lived for more than three years in an abusive relationship, finding the strength to leave and go on to pursue her dreams, then others can do the same. In digging deep to understand why she kept quiet during the years of abuse, she looks at how her environments such as culture, tradition, religion and her upbringing molded her and at times restricted opportunities in her new society. Which led to her publishing her book Greener Pastures Beyond Mt.Abuse. To further her skills Tinashe is completing her Master’s in Counselling at Edith Cowan University to help offer an informed trauma counselling perspective to those in need.

Yhana is a seasoned strategic policy adviser, with an extensive background in stakeholder communications – particularly for complex technical information.

She currently works with Shelter WA, and in climate industry action for Government.

She is also the Chair of People With disabilities WA. She was previously a senior ministerial policy adviser in the McGowan Government, where she developed a reputation for her tenacity and relationship-building skills.

She is passionate about science communication, studying science at university while working as a public speaking coach.

She has also completed Bankwest Curtin Economic Centre, Leadership WA, and Australian Institute of Company Directors programs.

Louise Giolitto has been part of the community services sector for over 22 years with experience managing homelessness programs, housing, youth services, Aboriginal support programs, employment, education, training, mentoring, drug education, seniors and emergency relief.

Louise has lived in the Kimberley and worked in the Pilbara which has given her great insight into the needs of regional WA.

Working at WACOSS is a unique experience that provides the opportunity to have an understanding across an incredible range of sub-sectors and work with a team of dedicated staff.

Louise has a commitment and belief the Community Services sector needs collective commitment and leadership to improve the quality of life to community members disadvantaged by the inequities in our society.

Louise strongly believes in the ethos and philosophy of the community-based not-for-profit organisations striving to build vibrant future for all Western Australians.

Elise Klein (OAM) is an Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Crawford School, the Australian National University. Her award-winning research focuses on development policy with a specific interest in work, redistribution, decoloniality and care.

Her work is published in leading international journals and public outlets, as well as informing her various advisory roles including working with the United Nations Secretary General’s High Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment.

Katherine is an advocate for economic change with roles including writer-in-residence at the University of Edinburgh and a Strategic Advisor for the Centre for Policy Development.

She co-founded the Wellbeing Economy Alliance and WEAll Scotland.

She sits on advisory groups for The Democracy Collaborative, the C40 Centre for Urban Climate Policy and Economy, and the Centre for Understanding Sustainable Prosperity.

She is a Senior Fellow at the ZOE Institute and Distinguished Fellow of the Schumacher Institute. Katherine instigated the group of Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo) and spent over eight years with Oxfam GB.

Her most recent book The Economics of Arrival: Ideas for a Grown Up Economy (co-authored with Jeremy Williams) was published in January 2019 and her major report Being Bold: Budgeting for Children’s Wellbeing was launched in March 2021.

Gabriel is a Human Rights Activist and survivor of gay conversion practices.

He started a grassroots social movement for acknowledgement, political change, and justice for survivors of the Esther Foundation.

He created and runs a support group of 300 survivors, advocated for legislative change, coordinates legal actions and a team of other activists.

Gabriel and their team have achieved a shutdown of the Esther Foundation, a parliamentary inquiry into the abuses which took place, and a commitment to ban gay conversion practices.

Gabriel is now creating an organization to advocate for victims of institutional abuse in WA.

Jess Beckerling is a leading environmental campaigner, dedicated to climate action, nature protection and social justice.

She is the director of the WA Forest Alliance, leading the organisation’s successful advocacy and education programs.

With 25 years in the environment movement and a degree in environmental management, Jess has a deep understanding of the principles and practice of environmental conservation and the role that the community plays in social change.

Jess believes that in order to be successful, climate action must be nature and social-justice positive, and she works to integrate these priorities in her campaigning and advocacy work.

Owen was elected as Secretary of UnionsWA 2021, after serving for eight years as Assistant Secretary in which role he led a major campaign for occupational health and safety law reform resulting in the successful modernisation of work health and safety laws.

Owen was a member of the Ministerial Advisory Panel into Work Health and Safety Reform from 2017-18, has been a member of the Work, Health and Safety Commission since 2014, was a Chairperson of the Welfare Rights and Advocacy Service and is a Non-Executive Director of WorkCover WA.

Michelle is the National Director of the international NGO – the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Based in Perth, Michelle and her team of 40 campaigners around the nation lead more than 10 nature conservation campaigns ranging from the creation of national parks and marine parks at scale, to the protection of rivers from industrial-scale irrigation and the creation of nature based solutions for climate action.

Michelle has worked in banking, retail, politics and government but mostly in advocacy, and sees activism, strategic campaigning and community-led outcomes as central to a healthy society.

Tim is an experienced political campaigner, advocate and public policy professional.

He has run several successful election campaigns, has advised state Ministers and Federal MPs, and has provided government relations advice across Native Title, Energy, Local Government and Community Services sectors.

He is a strong believer in a relationship based approach to engagement and maintains a strong political network across both the state and federal government.

Jacqueline McGowan-Jones was appointed Commissioner for Children and Young People in January 2022.

Jacqueline has an extensive background in education, child protection, Indigenous affairs, and suicide postvention. Her experience includes senior executive roles across state and federal governments, and the non-government sector.

As Commissioner, Jacqueline has a statutory responsibility to monitor, protect and advocate for the rights and wellbeing of all Western Australian children and young people. This role involves consulting children and young people on issues that impact their lives, giving priority to the interests and needs of Aboriginal children and young people and those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Kim Brooklyn joined Parkerville Children and Youth Care as the Chief Executive Officer in November 2019.

Kim holds a BA, Post Grad Dip Psych., and a Masters in Psychology degree, and has spent over 30 years in the Community Service sector either delivering clinical services to children, young people, adults and communities presenting with complex issues, or, as has been the case for the last 12 years, designing, delivering and overseeing a variety of services to the community.

Kim is a passionate advocate for innovative, outcomes-driven, and child/family-focused services that are viable, sustainable and make a difference.

Kim is committed to contributing to the wider community services sector and is currently the Independent Chair of the Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) Children Policy Advisory Council.

Professor Fiona Stanley is a vocal advocate for the needs of children and their families. Professor Stanley is a former Australian of the Year, has been declared a National Living Treasure by the National Trust and is the UNICEF Australia Ambassador for Early Childhood Development.

Professor Stanley has more than 300 published papers in scientific journals and has served on the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council, the Federal Government’s Social Inclusion Board and the WA State Government’s Indigenous Implementation Board. She has given many presentations, both nationally and internationally, on the socio-economic determinants of child health.

Professor Stanley remains committed to a number of important roles, including: Distinguished Research Professor at the School of Paediatrics and Child Health, UWA; Vice Chancellor’s Fellow, University of Melbourne; and Chair of the newly-formed Alcohol Advertising Review Board.

Katherine is an advocate for economic change with roles including writer-in-residence at the University of Edinburgh and a Strategic Advisor for the Centre for Policy Development.

She co-founded the Wellbeing Economy Alliance and WEAll Scotland.

She sits on advisory groups for The Democracy Collaborative, the C40 Centre for Urban Climate Policy and Economy, and the Centre for Understanding Sustainable Prosperity.

She is a Senior Fellow at the ZOE Institute and Distinguished Fellow of the Schumacher Institute. Katherine instigated the group of Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo) and spent over eight years with Oxfam GB.

Her most recent book The Economics of Arrival: Ideas for a Grown Up Economy (co-authored with Jeremy Williams) was published in January 2019 and her major report Being Bold: Budgeting for Children’s Wellbeing was launched in March 2021.

Chris Twomey is the Leader of Policy and Research for the Western Australian Council of Social Service and a Senior Industry Fellow with Bankwest Curtin Economic Centre. He leads the WACOSS policy team undertaking research and advocacy focused on the needs of people experiencing disadvantage in Western Australia, and the sustainability and effectiveness of the services that assist them.

Chris represents a community voice on a number of committees and advisory panels covering issues such as data sharing, not for profit governance, child protection, utility prices and financial hardship.

Chris is the Chair of the Green Institute, on the Board of Surfing WA and currently holds two State surfing titles. Chris has previously worked as a senior policy advisor on community services, social justice, Indigenous issues, natural resource management and marine policy. He has a background in natural resource management, science communications, Aboriginal education and educational multi-media production.

Karen Quigley is the current CEO of Umbrella Multicultural Community Care Services Inc. She is a highly qualified Social Worker with over 22 years of experience in community services across the Not-For-Profit, Public Health and Local Government sectors. Karen is a committed and effective leader with extensive experience in change management, community aged care, and community development.

She is also an Authorised Commonwealth Celebrant, qualifying in 2021. Karen is a proud migrant of Salvadorean heritage and is passionate about empowering multicultural communities, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions, and ensuring that everyone has access to accurate and up-to-date information. Karen’s dedication to supporting diverse communities makes her a valuable speaker and leader in the community services sector.

Gemma Spee is a Wajarri Yamatji Aboriginal woman who has been working in the family violence sector within the Perth Metropolitan area for the past 10 years.

In those past 10 years Gemma has been advocating and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children as both a women’s refuge worker and the coordinator of Djinda Service. Gemma is very passionate about the work she does with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children and continuously strives to keep them safe from violence, so they are able to live happy, healthy lives together and most importantly not to live in fear anymore.

Supported by and aligned with the National and International Advance to Zero Movement and WA’s 10-year strategy, Michala is helping to lead the AtoZ Movement in WA. Michala has worked in a variety of roles within the homelessness sector for over a decade and is passionate about building the collective capacity of community, with a focus on continually improving the homelessness service systems.

Michala firmly believes that everyone deserves a place to call home and by using an evidenced based methodology, ending homelessness is possible.

Allan was happily living the dream when suddenly his 37-year-old wife was diagnosed with cancer and given three months to live. Three years later Allan became homeless with his two young daughters. Today, his Lived Experience out of homelessness is helping lead the way in co-designing strategies to end homelessness.

He’s worked with Joondalup and Wanneroo Councils on their homelessness plans and was responsible for the ABS rough sleeper count on Census night 2021 in Cities of Joondalup, Wanneroo and Stirling. Allan is the Founder and Managing Director of Kommuniti HQ and Lived Experience Co-Chair WA Alliance To End Homelessness.

Jarred is a proud Noongar man (Wadandi Bibbulmun) with a career spanning 15 years within the Department of Justice. Jarred worked in the Youth Justice Sector in various capacities from statutory to diversionary settings and in Senior Management roles.

He spent time as the Department’s Justice representative on the Supervised Release Review Board and completed a Post Graduate Degree; Graduate Certificate in Business; (Grad Major) Executive Leadership and Management in 2022. Jarred is now employed as General Manager, Aboriginal Service Development for AnglicareWA and is also an established cross genre musician.

Jarred is passionate about Indigenous affairs, striving for equality and has been involved in improving Indigenous visibility within the arts sector.

Carina grew up on the lands of the Yawuru people in Broome and has worked in the social services sector for over 20 years.

With an education background in Psychology and Criminology, Carina has focussed on a career learning from and walking alongside Aboriginal people in remote communities across WA. Her international experience has included managing homelessness shelters and developing programs for young people across Canada to increase community knowledge of sexual exploitation.

Locally, Carina worked in Government (Adult Corrections and Youth Justice Services) before moving to AnglicareWA in 2016 as the General Manager North (Pilbara and Kimberley). Currently Carina oversees services in the areas of Family Violence, Support for Victims of Sexual Abuse, General Counselling, and Mental Health services through the management of Headspace.

Leigh Sinclair is the Executive Officer of Imagined Futures (South West Metropolitan District Leadership Group). Imagined Futures brings together over 60 partners including not-for-profit and government agencies, business, philanthropists, and community members to tackle complex social challenges.

Over twenty-five years she has performed consultation, strategic planning, governance, research, and policy development roles as well as designing and delivering front line services. She has undertaken this work in government, non-government, and private sectors.

Leigh jumped at the opportunity to put this breadth of experience into practice to facilitate cross-sector collaborative efforts to deliver the best results for the community. Leigh holds a Master of Psychology degree.

Tucker is a Graduate in Clinical and Pastoral Counselling from Glasgow Caledonian University, a member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the ACA College of Supervisors and an accredited Conflict Mediator.

Having worked across a range of community services and currently the Director of Family Safety Services at Communicare, overseeing the delivery services across a range of programs involving family safety, family and domestic violence and abuse (FDVA) and behaviour change.

Jessica Daniels has a Bachelor of Health Promotion and multi-sectoral experience in alcohol and other drug prevention, suicide prevention, healthy eating and physical activity promotion. Jessica currently works for both Holyoake’s Wheatbelt Community Alcohol and Other Drug Service as an AOD Prevention Coordinator and for WA Country Health Service has a Health Promotion Officer.

Jessica was the recipient of the 2021 AHPA Rural Scholarship to develop the youth social media project, ‘Within REACH’, a social media platform that provides evidence-based information to young people on topics relevant to their current experiences and links to crisis lines, helplines and online support.

Jo Woodruff has more than 20 years of experience working in the public and private health sectors as a physiotherapist and lactation consultant before completing a Graduate Diploma in Health Promotion and a Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Health & Medicine.

Jo is currently employed as the Wheatbelt Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Prevention Coordinator with Holyoake’s Wheatbelt Community Alcohol and Drug Service. AOD prevention focuses on supporting communities and organisations to develop & implement grassroots, evidence-based initiatives that aim to improve protective factors and reduce the harms associated with AOD use.

Astghik Mavisakalyan is an Associate Professor of Economics at the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre at Curtin University and a Chief Investigator of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

She is also an Associate Editor of the Journal of Population Economics and the Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, a member of the Hiroshima Institute of Health Economics Research, and a Fellow at Global Labour Organisation.

Vanessa Harvey is the Manager of the Western Australian Respectful Relationships Teaching Support Program at Starick which is a whole-school approach to the primary prevention of gender-based violence.

Vanessa has over 35 years’ experience working in the human services sector, primarily in State Government roles. Those roles have included policy and program development in the areas of family and domestic violence, women’s interests, non- government contracting and funding, multicultural interests, seniors’ interests, elder abuse and volunteering. She has also played a key role in several major social inclusion initiatives.

Anna is the Operations Manager at Zonta House, responsible for overseeing its ten service arms.

With over two decades of experience in the community service industry, Anna has held leadership positions in both Government and Non-Government agencies nationally and internationally.

In WA, she has managed a Lead Agency Family Refuge and a Refuge for Aboriginal women, showcasing her expertise in the FDV sector.

Marlena is a seasoned HR expert who advises top-tier executives, managers, and Boards on key HR matters. She excels in optimizing business operations through streamlined processes and documentation.

Marlena is also an accomplished Learning and Development Advisor, skilled in designing, executing, and evaluating training programs for all levels of staff.

She currently serves as Training Facilitator for the Empowerment through Education Program at Zonta House Refuge.

Alicia Gibbs is a social worker who is committed to tackling the underlying causes of inequality in our society.

She currently works as the Policy and Practice Specialist for Preventing Violence Together, a joint initiative of the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing and Stopping Family Violence.

She is part of the team developing Western Australia’s first primary prevention of violence against women workforce capability framework.

Amber proudly joined the Indigo Junction team as Executive Manager for Homelessness and Community Services in 2022. A fierce advocate for listening to the voices of children and with 30 years’ experience across the Early Years, Community and Out of Home Care sector she has inspired and led teams in implementing evidence-based programs to support vulnerable children and families in WA.

Amber is a graduate of Leadership WA and holds an Early Childhood degree, she has continued to study contemporary models focusing on trauma informed practice, play based pedagogy, culture, and leadership.

Jye, a proud Goreng and Kanaka man, is a Sexual Health Educator with SHQ. Jye leads the Aboriginal Education Team and SHQ’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

Jye delivers strengths based respectful relationships and sexual health education sessions and workshops for young people and professional development education for people working with young people. Jye works in metro, regional and remote WA and interstate.

Shania is a proud Gomeroi woman from NSW. Shania works as an Aboriginal Educator with Sexual Health Quarters, delivering strengths-based respectful relationships and sexual health education workshops to young people, covering a range of sexuality topics.

Working in metro, regional and remote WA, Shania also delivers professional development workshops for professionals working with young people.

Shania is involved in SHQ’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee and co-leads the LGBTIQA+ Reference Group.

Natalie is the General Manager, Community Housing at Housing Choices Western Australia.

Prior to this she worked in government and the private sector for over 16 years, advocating social justice issues and built a portfolio of achievements managing high profile, high risk contracts and leading service delivery programs and teams. Natalie rounded out that experience with three years ‘at the coal face’ in the largest prison in Australia, working towards prisoner rehabilitation.

Natalie wants to deliver positive social change at both an individual and systems level and is always focused on outcomes.

Leah Watkins is the Manager Tenant Engagement at HCWA. Leah has worked in housing and homelessness for over 30 years and is one of the foremost experts in Housing First in Australia and delivers training nationally on housing first principles and practice in partnership with the Alliance to End Homelessness.

Leah has been instrumental in adapting the SLM to assist people experiencing homelessness and ensuring an outcomes based approach aligned to Housing First principles.

Grace has been working in Kununurra with Kimberley Community Legal Services for 4 years. In her first two years at KCLS, she worked as a lawyer.

Since late 2021 she has worked in a newly developed role as a Systemic Change Advocate, primarily focusing on tenancy policy issues in the region. During her time at KCLS, Grace has worked closely with tenants in remote communities across the East Kimberley, including Halls Creek, Kalumburu, Wyndham and Kununurra to understand what the key issues are.

Prior to living in the Kimberley, Grace worked in policy roles in Canberra after completing her Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts at the Australian National University.

Kim Brooklyn joined Parkerville Children and Youth Care as the Chief Executive Officer in November 2019.

Kim holds a BA, Post Grad Dip Psych., and a Masters in Psychology degree, and has spent over 30 years in the Community Service sector either delivering clinical services to children, young people, adults and communities presenting with complex issues, or, as has been the case for the last 12 years, designing, delivering and overseeing a variety of services to the community.

Kim is a passionate advocate for innovative, outcomes-driven, and child/family-focused services that are viable, sustainable and make a difference.

Kim is committed to contributing to the wider community services sector and is currently the Independent Chair of the Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) Children Policy Advisory Council.

Philippa Boldy is Director of Services at Anglicare WA where she is responsible for services to children, young people, individuals and families across WA.

She has over 20 years experience in the Western Australian community services sector, focussing on youth work, child safety, youth justice, homelessness, community development, outreach and mental health service delivery and leadership.

She is passionate about creating lasting positive social impact and addressing root causes of entrenched social problems.

Chris Twomey is the Leader of Policy and Research for the Western Australian Council of Social Service and a Senior Industry Fellow with Bankwest Curtin Economic Centre. He leads the WACOSS policy team undertaking research and advocacy focused on the needs of people experiencing disadvantage in Western Australia, and the sustainability and effectiveness of the services that assist them.

Chris represents a community voice on a number of committees and advisory panels covering issues such as data sharing, not for profit governance, child protection, utility prices and financial hardship.

Chris is the Chair of the Green Institute, on the Board of Surfing WA and currently holds two State surfing titles. Chris has previously worked as a senior policy advisor on community services, social justice, Indigenous issues, natural resource management and marine policy. He has a background in natural resource management, science communications, Aboriginal education and educational multi-media production.

Rachel Siewert is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Western Australian Council of Social Service, having joined the team after 16 years in the Senate where she chaired the Community Affairs References Committee.

During her time in the Senate Rachel worked on a wide range of issues including First Nations justice and constitutional recognition, increasing income support, better support for single mothers and their children, Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants, forced adoptions, redress, Robodebt, mental health and health issues.

Prior to entering the Senate she was Coordinator of the Conservation Council.

Emma is the CEO of Palmerston Association; Vice Chair of WANADA; a Board Director of WACOSS; and Committee Member of the Supporting Communities Forum. Emma is experienced with governance, strategy, risk, and clinical and organisational development and has over 20 years experience with both Non-Government, and Government sectors.

Emma is a Graduate of the AICD. She has a Masters in Applied Social Studies, a Post-Graduate Diploma and a Post Qualifying Award in Social Work, a Bachelors with Hons in Theology, and a Certificate IV in Coaching. A systems thinker who is interested in working with leaders across sectors to create social impact, Emma is also a Graduate of the UWA Centre for Social Impact inaugural ELIAS Program.

Rohan is a Ballardong Wadjuk man with strong community connections to the Nyungar nation. Rohan holds a respected position of cultural authority and knowledge in the Aboriginal community. Rohan is currently the Executive Manager – Cultural lead at Palmerston Association and Aboriginal business owner of Dooga Waalitj Healing with more than 20 yrs experience in the Public Sector, Community Sector and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation sector. Rohan is a current board of Director for Yokai and Chairperson of Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation. Rohan and his family have had strong connections in driving Reconciliation for many years. Rohan is committed to improving the outcomes of Aboriginal people and community to be solid and strong.

Tanya Elson has worked extensively across community services and the public sector in the areas of family and domestic violence, gender equality, women’s interests,and children and young people.

She has led WA strategies, sector development, operations and innovation. As the General Manager Strategy with Ruah Community Services, Tanya is a key member of the team creating the Ruah Centre for Women and Children to enable long term healing and recovery.

She is a board member with WA peak body the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing and believes deeply in the transformative powers of collective action and diversity.

Daniel has cultural connections to Noongar, Yamitji and Gija country. Since 2010, Daniel has led Wungening Aboriginal Corporation as the CEO. During this time, Wungening has grown from a staff of 30 to an organisation of over 240, with a service footprint spanning the Perth Metropolitan Region.

Daniel is committed to promoting collaborative, inclusive relationships where the Aboriginal community is encouraged to engage, establish their voice, work together to develop suitable solutions and be part of the bigger picture. He is also the Co-Chairperson of Social Reinvestment WA.

Louise Southalan works at Wungening Aboriginal Corporation as project manager of the Birdiya Maya Homelessness Research Project, and she also works at Curtin University on projects about the health of people in the justice system.

Louise loves working at an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation because of all that she learns and unlearns, under the generous leadership of Aboriginal colleagues.

Zainab is a public health professional and researcher, passionate about working towards improving the health and wellbeing of priority populations and reducing health inequities.

She graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Sciences) in 2013 and Master of Public Health in 2016. Zainab has experience working in not-for-profit, community services, government agencies and research institutes on various topics including cancer control, tobacco use, nutrition, and mental health.

She is also a board member of Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services. Her current research areas include populations experiencing homelessness and Aboriginal health.

Karen has been a regular face and voice of ABC TV and radio sport since joining the ABC in 1989. After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Psychology at Macquarie University in Sydney, Karen spent eight years as a TV sports broadcaster and presenter, anchoring golf, tennis and other major sporting broadcasts on the ABC network.

Karen co-hosted ABC Radio’s cover of the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympics, Kuala Lumpur and Manchester Commonwealth Games and has hosted six Paralympic Games (Lillehammer, Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney, Beijing and London) with ABC TV.

She was the Media Award winner at the 2000 and 2001 Australian Sports Awards and in 2020 Karen received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sport Australia Media Awards in Sydney.

Di Darmody is an engaging, entertaining and polished Master of Ceremonies, conference host and event facilitator.

With over 19 years’ experience as a journalist and presenter with ABC Radio, Di is a well-known – and popular – voice for listeners in Perth and throughout Western Australia.

Her warm and friendly nature gives her the ability to engage any crowd, from business executives to guests at a gala ball or families at a community event.

Her poise, professionalism and bubbly presentation style makes her a favourite with event organisers and she has hosted many prestigious corporate and government events and conferences.

Shane was unanimously elected as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Nationals WA on 30 January 2023 following the resignation of Hon Mia Davies MLA.

He was Deputy Leader of the Nationals WA since March 2020 and was appointed Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and Manager of Opposition Business following the 2021 State election. He has served as Shadow Minister for Transport; Mines & Petroleum; Climate Action and Local Government.

Shane was a farmer north of Perth and brings a wealth of experience in community services, the small business sector, natural resources, and agriculture to the role. He has lived and worked in regional WA for most of his life. He was a local government councillor for more than 12 years and served as President of the Shire of Dandaragan from 2004 until 2013.

He was elected as Member for Moore in 2013 and served as Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for Regional Development and Lands Hon Terry Redman MLA from 2014 to 2017.

Shane has held several positions in regional and local organisations, including as a Director of the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council and as a Board member of the Wheatbelt Development Commission.

He was a member of the Wheatbelt Regional Advisory Planning Committee, the West Midlands Natural Resource Group, the Central Coastal Business Enterprise Centre Board, and the Badgingarra School Council.

Professor Megan Davis is a professor of law and holds the Balnaves Chair in Constitutional Law and is Pro Vice-Chancellor Society at UNSW Sydney.

Professor Davis was a member of the Prime Minister’s Referendum Council and the Prime Minister’s Expert Panel on the Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Constitution.

Megan designed the deliberative dialogues and chaired the Referendum Council’s sub-committee for the First Nations regional dialogues and the First Nations National Constitutional Convention in 2017. Since 2017 she has continued her legal work and community legal education via the Indigenous Law Centre UNSW.

Professor Davis is a globally recognised expert on Indigenous peoples rights. Megan was an expert member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (2011-2016) and is currently an expert member and Chair of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous peoples (2017-2022).

Megan is a co-recipient of the 2021/22 Sydney Peace Prize for the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Rick Morton is an award-winning journalist and the author of three non-fiction books. His latest My Year of Living Vulnerably launched in 2021.

Morton is also the author of One Hundred Years of Dirt (MUP, 2018) and the extended essay On Money (Hachette, 2020).

Dirt is part family memoir, part book of essays about growing up on the outside in Australia. It explores intergenerational trauma, poverty, addiction and mental health and the role of a mother who tried to love enough for the failures of everyone else around her. He is the Senior Reporter for The Saturday Paper.

Originally from Queensland, Rick worked in Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne and Canberra as the social affairs writer for The Australian with a particular focus on social policy including the National Disability Insurance Scheme, aged care, the welfare system, religion and employment services. Rick is the winner of the 2013 Kennedy Award for Young Journalist of the Year and the 2017 Kennedy Award for Outstanding Columnist. He appears regularly on television, radio and panels discussing politics, the media, writing and social policy.

One Hundred Years of Dirt was shortlisted for the 2019 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, longlisted for the 2018 Walkley Book of the Year, and longlisted for both Biography Book of the Year and the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year for the 2019 ABIA Awards. Dirt was also shortlisted for the National Biography Award.

Glen is an Aboriginal man of the Wardandi Noongar people of the South West of Western Australia.

Glen is an Environmental Scientist with 30 years of experience in Aboriginal affairs, native title, Aboriginal land management and community development at local, national and international levels.

Glen served as the CEO of the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC), the native title representative body for the South West of WA, for nearly a decade.

Glen has also worked across Australia on native title agreement making and has assisted a variety of Traditional Owner groups and Government clients achieve strong and sustainable native title outcomes. From 2015 to 2017 Glen also served as the Chief Executive of the National Native Title Council.

In 2019, Glen was awarded West Australian of the Year in the Indigenous category and was appointed as a Member of the National Native Title Tribunal in October 2020.

Petra Tschakert, Professor of Geography and Global Futures in the School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry at Curtin University, is trained as a human-environment geographer and applied anthropologist. Her research is on climate change adaptation, climate and mobility justice, resilience and power, and intersecting inequalities. She examines intangible loss and damage, everyday limits to adaptation, and community and more-than-human flourishing.

Prof. Tschakert co-chaired Australia’s 2022 National Strategy on Just Adaptation, led by the Australian Academy of Science and Future Earth Australia. She was Coordinating Lead Author with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), for the Fifth Assessment Report (2014) and the Special Report on 1.5°C Global Warming (2018). She received the 2019 Piers Sellers Award for world-leading contributions to solution-focused climate research.

Professor Alan Duncan is Director of the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre and Bankwest Professor of Economic Policy at Curtin University.

Alan has published widely in academic and policy outlets of the highest international reputation, and was awarded the prestigious Frisch Medal of the Econometric Society in 2000 for a paper published in the world-leading journal, Econometrica.

His broad range of research interests include: inequality and wellbeing; public policy; education, training and childcare; labour market participation; and gender equity.

Alan completed a DPhil in Economics at the University of York. He has served on senior advisory panels and boards for government and public sector organisations and has given evidence at Federal Senate Committee hearings.

Kristin is an antipoverty activist and unpaid worker relying on the Disability Support Pension to live.

She was previously a coordinator at the Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union and established the Antipoverty Centre in 2021 with other unemployed advocates who have direct experience of poverty and the welfare system.

The Antipoverty Centre exists to counter problems with politicians, academics, think tanks, researchers and paid advocates speaking over and making harmful decisions on behalf of people they purport to represent.

Kristin’s work involves individual and systemic advocacy, policy development, campaigning, community organising, stakeholder coordination and political engagement.

Rick Morton is an award-winning journalist and the author of three non-fiction books. His latest My Year of Living Vulnerably launched in 2021.

Morton is also the author of One Hundred Years of Dirt (MUP, 2018) and the extended essay On Money (Hachette, 2020).

Dirt is part family memoir, part book of essays about growing up on the outside in Australia. It explores intergenerational trauma, poverty, addiction and mental health and the role of a mother who tried to love enough for the failures of everyone else around her. He is the Senior Reporter for The Saturday Paper.

Originally from Queensland, Rick worked in Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne and Canberra as the social affairs writer for The Australian with a particular focus on social policy including the National Disability Insurance Scheme, aged care, the welfare system, religion and employment services. Rick is the winner of the 2013 Kennedy Award for Young Journalist of the Year and the 2017 Kennedy Award for Outstanding Columnist. He appears regularly on television, radio and panels discussing politics, the media, writing and social policy.

One Hundred Years of Dirt was shortlisted for the 2019 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, longlisted for the 2018 Walkley Book of the Year, and longlisted for both Biography Book of the Year and the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year for the 2019 ABIA Awards. Dirt was also shortlisted for the National Biography Award.

Before working for Bank of Queensland Group, Victoria was a financial counsellor and community financial coach.

She is passionate about money conversations without shame, and strength-based financial literacy.

Working in the Customer Advocate Office at BOQ, she now has the privilege of using the stories from financial counselling to shape banking to more effectively support people experiencing vulnerability.

Barbara Henry is an Elder of the Noongar Nation who has a work history spanning more than four decades.  She is currently the Executive Director of the Noongar Family Safety and Wellbeing Council. Barbara was key in establishing the Council over 4 years ago  and brings a wealth of skills and knowledge to the; newly established body which core focus is advocating for the rights of Noongar Children and families, especially in the Out of Home Care.

Barbara has a Master’s Degree in Health Economics and has extensive experience in research and economic evaluation of health programs and health services.  She served as a senior bureaucrat in the West Australian government and more recently in the Northern Territory, Chief Ministers Department as Director of Indigenous Policy.  She is a strong advocate for efficiency and change management for improved Aboriginal service delivery.

Barbara is a strong communicator and passionate about improvements in all areas for Aboriginal people.  She is highly committed to ensuring excellence in governance and service provision and has a passion for improving the well-being of Aboriginal children and families.

Rachel Siewert is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Western Australian Council of Social Service, having joined the team after 16 years in the Senate where she chaired the Community Affairs References Committee.

During her time in the Senate Rachel worked on a wide range of issues including First Nations justice and constitutional recognition, increasing income support, better support for single mothers and their children, Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants, forced adoptions, redress, Robodebt, mental health and health issues.

Prior to entering the Senate she was Coordinator of the Conservation Council.

Lorna hails from Aotearoa – mother is Ngā Puhi and Te Rarawa, and father is Samoan. Youngest of 10. Married to a Ngāti Porou, Uawa man from Tolaga Bay. Mother of 5 boys and Grandmother of 5 moko.

Lorna has resided in Boorloo, Perth Western Australia since 2011 and brings her community development grant making experience alongside her cultural knowledge and kiwi humour to the table.

For almost 30 years Lorna has worked as a professional leader with communities to support the development of their great ideas, identify and build the capacity of community leaders, strengthen community and family values, and broker solutions to emerging and existing issues.

Throughout her career, Lorna has chosen roles where she can make an impact and contribution to supporting communities. She drives success, embraces change and new initiatives, and works to ensure Lotterywest continues to be the lead grant maker agency in WA. In her 12 years at Lotterywest Lorna has held leadership roles in the Grants and Community Development Team, before being appointed to the General Manager role in 2019.

Lorna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Māori Development majoring in Social Work, from Auckland University of Technology.

Lorna loves kapa haka, singing and hanging with whānau and friends.

As Managing Director of her multidisciplinary consultancy, Social Money Solutions, Tanya has led and coached planning and implementation of fundraising strategies for over 80 not-for-profits and facilitated and delivered acquisition of millions in funding.

Tanya has also led CSR Strategy development and partnership advisory services for national corporates. Tanya has spent 30 years as a manager, educator and consultant in fundraising, marketing and strategic planning for not-for-profits and is a GAICD, Fellow of FIA, Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) and Chair of the Fremantle Foundation.

Tanya’s social impact measurement focus, governance, commercialisation, marketing and lobbying experience, complements her funding development expertise.

Mike is the Director General of Department of Communities, Western Australia. Prior to joining Communities in May 2021, Mike was Director General at the Western Australian Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and Department of Water.

Mike has almost 30 years’ experience working for the Western Australian public sector. He has worked in a variety of leadership, policy, advisory and delivery roles and is an experienced member of the Western Australian Government’s senior executive service. Mike has worked across diverse portfolios including social services, natural resources management, agriculture, environment and water. He has also worked with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and in other portfolio areas including Aboriginal affairs and public sector management.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science and has also completed postgraduate qualifications in social research and program evaluation and public sector management. Mike is currently the President of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (Western Australia) and is a member of the Western Australian Planning Commission.

Dr Mad Magladry is Advocacy Lead at CoMHWA.

They have a background in humanities research with a special interest in cultural practices of care and control in the fields of wellness and health.

They are invested in supporting and promoting Lived Experience (Peer) workforces and in the importance of person-centred recovery-oriented models of mental health.

Matt is a Senior Project Lead at Innovation Unit, bringing a co-design and system change lens to challenges like out-of-home care, homelessness, and FDV.

He brings his extensive experience as a facilitator and experience designer to the Innovation Unit Design Academy. In the past Matt has worked as a Recruitment and Advocacy Manager for Teach for Australia, helped to launch and scale the Fogarty Foundation’s EDfutures learning community, and worked to build innovation capacity across Western Australia with Skills of the Modern Age.

Matt has trained with KAOSPILOT and the Presencing Institute and is currently completing a Masters of Design Futures at RMIT University.

Maija Hildebrand has been working in the WA Community Services Sector for the past decade. In fact, she started her career in the sector 10 years ago at WACOSS, supporting the implementation of the Delivering Community Services in Partnership policy.

Maija’s current role at Vinnies WA as a Service Development Manager focuses on evaluating existing service models and driving innovation and new ways of working to respond to complex problems.

Experienced in impact measurement, agile project management, and human-centered design, Maija is a curious leader who enjoys working with diverse stakeholders and communities.

Andrea is a qualified physiotherapist and has worked across a range of interdisciplinary programs including mental health recovery, the street doctor, AOD counselling and NDIS plan facilitation.

She has worked at Esperance Care Services for the last five years conducting Emergency Relief interviews. In hearing the stories of those who came for help, she gained an understanding of their daily struggles and their difficulties in addressing their matters of concern.

She is now employed as an Advocate, working to assist clients with their current issues, and aiming to provide hope and build longer term capacity and resilience.

Brent Bell is new to the communicable diseases space, but experienced in finding solutions to systemic problems.

With a career that includes executive roles in private health care, corrections, and public health, Brent has lead innovation initiatives that have been game changers for the community.

Justine has over 30 years’ experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in Australia, the UK and Europe, doing everything from running a pub to running a prison.

Justine has worked to support and promote the needs and rights of some of the most marginalised and vulnerable people in WA and is keen to see them considered as valuable, contributing and celebrated citizens.

For ten years, Justine has been the CEO of Rise, which offers services for people with mental health issues, a disability, older people, youth at risk, those dealing with family and domestic violence, and the carers for all those people. Rise is a significant provider of community housing.

Dan Minchin has been the CEO of Chorus since February 2017.

He is a former senior executive at Silver Chain Group and played a key role in its merger with the Royal District Nursing Service South Australia in 2011. As CEO of Chorus Dan feels lucky to be surrounded by people committed to growing as individuals, as an enterprise and as communities.

Dan is working towards bringing about a new system of care in Australia, and brings to this his significant experience creating and realising strategies in multiple sectors and states across Australia.

Kate Fulton is the CEO of Avivo a WA community-based organisation that supports people who have a disability, experience mental illness or are aged or frail to live in their own home and community.  Avivo’s 100 community teams work with over 3000 people each year providing local support to people in their neighbourhoods. Our focus is on supporting colleagues and customers to live life as active citizens in our communities.

Avivo’s Foundation Board have a long history of supporting social innovation in our WA community, supporting some successful innovations such as Befriend and Micro Boards Australia. Avivo are committed to investing and supporting our communities to thrive.

Melanie has worked across various sectors and disciplines including arts, social impact, professional writing communications and sustainability.

Mel combines more than 20 years of strategy, policy, project management and community engagement experience with communications and creative development skills to create inspiring impact narratives.

Since 2004, Michael has worked in the evaluation of human services across numerous areas including mental health, family and domestic violence, Aboriginal early years, homelessness, financial counselling and community development.

From assessing the effectiveness of online clinical treatment programs to community centre outreach, Michael has been driven to building robust systems of learning and insights to support evidence-based decision making for better community services. Further work is needed to empower local communities to advocate for their own needs, solutions and demonstrate impact. This is the current focus of Michael’s efforts at Lotterywest Healthway and is supported by the Community Impact Hub.

Richard is Chief Executive Officer at Carers WA.  He was appointed in November 2022, after holding the executive position of Head of Service Delivery for 18 months.

As a returning staff member to Carers WA after 15 years, Richard’s recent experience is in the Disability sector across roles including Regional Operations Manager, Innovation and New Products and Growth portfolios. With an extensive 25 year background in not-for-profit, his other experience is across Aged Care, Youth, Retirement Living, Social Housing and Disability.

Holding qualifications in Leadership, Community Services and Community Sector Management, Richard is a keen advocate of equitability for all.

Dr Maria Harries AM is Adjunct Professor at Curtin University and Associate Professor and Senior Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Population & Global Health at The University of Western Australia.

With a focus on children and families her 45-year professional career has been dedicated to assisting people experiencing mental illness, violence, and other adversities. She has been a practitioner, an academic, an advocate, a manager, and a researcher – sometimes all five at once.

Knowing from the inside and understanding how poverty alienates and isolates people, she has had a lifelong interest in developing sustainable communities that are just, healthy, and inclusive. She has numerous publications in child protection/public policy.

Leanne McLean was appointed Tasmania’s Commissioner for Children and Young People in November 2018. Her role is to promote the rights and wellbeing of Tasmanian children and young people—including ensuring that their rights are considered and respected by adults when making decisions that may affect children.

Leanne has a wealth of experience as a leader in social policy development, including working at the coal face with young people and in senior public service and government advisory roles.

Leanne is passionate about providing a voice for children and young people, believes strongly in the transformative power of education and early intervention, and the value of every young person in shaping the future of Tasmania.

Over the past 20 years, Amanda has created positive change on individual, service and sector levels in service of Western Australians facing hardship, vulnerability and disadvantage.

Currently on behalf of 54 Reasons, which is part of the Save the Children Group, Amanda is committed to building stronger connections across government, corporate and the community sectors, creating opportunities for shared learning, new partnerships and advocating for change making.

Amanda is committed to respectful relationships with First Nations people and has fostered equal partnerships with Aboriginal Elders and Aboriginal Controlled organisations to enable successful Reconciliation in action.

In 2016, Amanda joined forces with other community sector leaders to establish the WA Alliance to End Homelessness, with the goal of ending homelessness in our State within the next decade.

Professor Cheryl Kickett-Tucker AM is a Wadjuk Noongar Aboriginal from Western Australia.

She is currently a research Fellow at Curtin University and the Founding Director of Koordoormitj Institute. As well as completing her PhD (Edith Cowan University, Perth), Cheryl also has a Master of Science (University of Oregon, USA), a Bachelor of Applied Science (Edith Cowan University, Perth) and an Associate Diploma of Applied Science (Edith Cowan University, Perth).

Her research interests include sense of self, identity and self-esteem of Aboriginal children, including the development of a series of culturally appropriate instruments for racial identity and self-esteem across the lifespan.

Trevor Martin is a Community and Elders Council member for the Moombaki Cultural Learnings program.

Trevor was born in Mt Magnet WA to a BUDIMAYA Mother and NAANHAGARDI Father from the Geraldton region of WA.

Trevor`s background is Aboriginal Education, training employment and development and has been such for over 25 years.

Trevor has 12 children and 22 grandchildren, he has been a role model, mentor, advisor and counsellor to many.

Vicky Trumper is a Community and Elders Council member for the Moombaki Cultural Learnings program.

She was born on Whadjuk country and lives in Perth.

Since being a part of the Moombaki project she has been able to speak on her children’s’ behalf and then be able to express her opinions and have input into the development of the Moombaki project.

It has given her confidence, help, knowledge and she has been able to speak with other parents and share their experiences as well.

Yhana is a seasoned strategic policy adviser, with an extensive background in stakeholder communications – particularly for complex technical information.

She currently works with Shelter WA, and in climate industry action for Government. She is also the Chair of People With disabilities WA.

She was previously a senior ministerial policy adviser in the McGowan Government, where she developed a reputation for her tenacity and relationship-building skills.

She is passionate about science communication, studying science at university while working as a public speaking coach. She has also completed Bankwest Curtin Economic Centre, Leadership WA, and Australian Institute of Company Directors programs.

Natalia is passionate about the potential data has to unlock insights that lead to better decisions. She is the driving force behind the whole-of-government data hub, which works collaboratively across the Western Australian public sector to solve problems using data.

Prior to this, Natalia drove the strategic use of information throughout a number of roles in policy, strategy, and analytics.

With a background in statistics, she is enthusiastic about implementing advanced analytics in a functional way every day.

Richard Hayes has extensive experience working on projects across multiple sectors, including leading the WA Primary Health Alliance’s work on the My Health Record Expansion in WA.

Richard currently leads the WA Digital Inclusion Project at the Western Australian Council of Social Service.

Corinne Hawke has been involved in strategic community and stakeholder engagement, communications and social investment for over 20 years, and was a founding member of the Working Group that led the early development of the WA Digital Inclusion Project.

David Orchard has worked in Information Technology in the community services sector for more than 20 years, helping to bridge the digital divide between service providers and the community.

Caroline is a strategic, commercial and impact focused executive with experience across the commercial, not for profit and social enterprise sectors.

She is recognised for her authentic and collaborative approach to both leadership and partnership. Caroline is passionate about finding innovative ways of breaking the cycle of disadvantage which led her to WorkVentures, Australia’s oldest IT social enterprise which aims to inspire social inclusion through technology and employment.

Caroline is a Chartered Accountant, has an Executive MBA and a BA in Business. Caroline has experience as a NFP board member and consultant to social enterprises.

Lenda Oshalem is National Campaigns Director at SEC Newgate Australia, a strategic communications firm.

She has responsibility for the Perth and Adelaide office as well as the firm’s advocacy campaign offering.

She has over 15 years’ of experience in public affairs, stakeholder and community research, advocacy and politics.

Lenda has worked at senior levels of government and politics for over a decade in WA and around the country.

Lenda is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Board member of Auspire – The Australia Day Council (WA) and the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.

Joni Sercombe is the Innovation Design Manager at AnglicareWA where she oversees their Shift Lab, designing demonstration projects to shift how social supports are designed, resourced and delivered.

With qualifications in social sciences and arts, she has worked in the system from many angles, including frontline work, policy, funding, outcomes measurement and service design, both in metro and regional WA, and overseas.

With our world facing significant transitions, she is committed to building mechanisms for communities to be resilient and to live their good life even in the midst of difficult times.

Dr. Ellie Tighe is the Service Lead for Business Development at Ruah, where she oversees a team in service design, strategic projects, impact evaluation, and lived experience engagement.

She holds a PhD from the University of Southampton and a Master’s degree in International Political Economy from the University of Warwick UK.

In her role, she drives the strategic direction of Ruah’s business development efforts and ensures that lived experience is central to the development of new programs and services.

Bio coming soon.

James McHale started his career in corporate law before moving into journalism.

He was with the ABC for 12 years, anchoring the ABC WA’s state-wide 7pm TV news and national Early Edition bulletin, moderating the 2013 WA Leader’s Debate, and hosting the panel for the 2017 WA Votes national live TV coverage.

James is now the Media and Public Relations Lead at Anglicare WA, and in his spare time enjoys playing ice hockey, reading airport thrillers, and engaging in an ongoing psychological power struggle with his cat, Louie.

Ralph Addis commenced as Lotterywest and Healthway Chief Executive Officer in February 2022.

Ralph has worked in the Western Australian Public Sector since 2014, initially as Director General of the Department of Regional Development, then in 2017 as Director General of the newly formed Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Ralph has a natural affinity with regional WA, having grown up in the Great Southern and spending almost 20 years in the Kimberley region in a number of roles, including as founding CEO of Wunan Foundation and Chair of the Kimberley Development Commission.

Ralph is a Chartered Accountant, holds a degree in Commerce, a Master of Economic Studies and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Debra Barnes is an experienced CEO and Board Director, having worked across health and community services in both clinical, corporate, and for-purpose organisations. Currently CEO of Sexual Health Quarters, Debra is committed to being a voice for change and to breaking down barriers.

Known for her passionate, inspirational energy, she is driven to make a lasting social impact, and has been recognised and awarded for implementing service innovation and culture transformation through building high-trust organisations and high-performance teams.

Debra has an MBA (UWA), a Graduate Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (WA).

David is currently Executive Director of Strategy and Growth at Communicare which includes the stewardship of White Ribbon Australia.

David has considerable experience in designing and leading services across many areas of the community sector. He has presented at many national conferences highlighting new ways of working with men to end their violence and abuse.

Most recently he’s been focusing on strengthening Communicare’s practice, advocacy and implementation of its Strategic Plan. David is a social work and AICD graduate and is currently a Board Member of WACOSS.

Christina Matthews is Chief Executive Officer of WA Cricket and a former Australian cricketer. She is Australia’s most capped female Test player and holds the record for the most dismissals in Test cricket by an Australian wicketkeeper. Christina is the only woman in Australia to hold the position of CEO of a State Cricket Association.

Christina is a well-respected voice within the Australian cricket community, with strong leadership qualities and 35 years’ experience in various management, coaching and development roles within cricket, hockey and Australian Rules football. Having represented Victoria, ACT and NSW during her playing career and a member of the Australian women’s team from 1984 to 1995, including two years as Vice Captain, Christina is able to combine her in-depth knowledge and experience in sport with her vast business expertise.

Lulkbudia is a proud Mirwoong Gadjerong person from Kununurra in the East Kimberley. Her skin name is Nangala and her dawang (country) is Yiralalem community.

Lulkbudia is passionate about self-determination, LGTBQIA+ Aboriginal representation and advocating for change in the justice system which sees an end to the disproportionate incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Growing up, Lulkbudia’s mother – Yumarrd, cared for many of her cousins and family members who had been involved with the justice system from a young age. This experience shaped Lulkbudia’s views of Australia’s justice system and how socio-economic factors and institutionalised racism entraps many countrymen and women into the cycle of intergenerational incarceration.

Lulkbudia harnesses her lived experience to advocate for change and justice, following in the footsteps of the old people and elders who have fought tirelessly for the rights of all Blackfullas. As a professional, Lulkbudia has a background in youth work, mental health and Aboriginal employment. As a member of the community, Lulkbudia strives to decolonise creative spaces, contributing to events that platform Blak talent and promote collective empowerment.

Lenda Oshalem is National Campaigns Director at SEC Newgate Australia, a strategic communications firm.

She has responsibility for the Perth and Adelaide office as well as the firm’s advocacy campaign offering.

She has over 15 years’ of experience in public affairs, stakeholder and community research, advocacy and politics.

Lenda has worked at senior levels of government and politics for over a decade in WA and around the country.

Lenda is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Board member of Auspire – The Australia Day Council (WA) and the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.

Lucy Stronach is a consultant to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, a Youth Programs Officer at the Town of Victoria Park and teaches criminology at the University of Western Australia.

She also volunteers on advisory boards for both the Sir David Martin Foundation and the United Nations Association of Australia (NSW), and is a Program Manager for the Hello Initiative.

A graduate of studies in Criminology, Law, and Security, Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism, Lucy is a passionate advocate of youth justice, disability rights and women’s rights.

Alia has been a committee member of Kin Advocacy since 2020 and as of 2022 has been a Vice President for the organisation. Kin Advocacy is an advocacy service for Australians with layered disadvantages — those with disability, cultural and language barriers — to have equal opportunity for a better life.

Alia is a trailblazer for young people with disabilities and sat at many decision tables to influence change to ensure that young people voices are heard and amplified.

Rebecca Price is a Musician, Artist, Mental Health Advocate, Recovery Partner, Youth Mentor and Social Work student, with a passion for youth justice, mental health, women’s rights and promoting First Nations people’s self-determination and cultural safety.

Rebecca is passionate about the power of creativity and expressive therapy in all forms of social services with an undergraduate degree of Performing Arts from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, and is in the final year of her Masters of Social Work at the University of Western Australia.

Rebecca runs a psychosocial music therapy service for individuals experiencing mental health challenges on the NDIS scheme, using her music and production skills to work with people to tell their stories in a safe and therapeutic space.

Rebecca is the Operations and Programme Coordinator for WA’s Girls Rock Program 2023 that runs across the whole of Australia and New Zealand, engaging young people in week long camps on music and mental health, with this year taking a second camp to Geraldton in conjunction with Regional Sounds WA.

Rebecca is a Mental Health Recovery Partner for Southern Cross Care, and Youth Mentor for Uniting WA, working with children in care with the Department of Child Protection and Family Services.

Rebecca also worked with the West Australian Centre for Rural Health, and Bidi Bidi Centacare Family Services in the rural town of Mount Magnet, with the local Badimaya People on community development, early childhood work, family and domestic violence and cultural safety.

She is currently on placement with the Department of Communities Child Protection and Family Services working with Children in Care for the Fremantle District.

Rebecca was awarded WAM’s Best Live Electronic Act 2021, and Best Electronic Song 2022 for her musical project PROJECT BEXX, and has taken the skills and experience of her time in the music industry, to now provide psychosocial support through expressive therapy and is most passionate about practising from and promoting a strengths-based, person-centred framework to all forms of service she provides.

Rickeeta is a Nyoongar-Yamatji woman, born and raised in Whadjuk Nyoongar Boodja (country).

Rickeeta works in the area of Cultural education, as well as research for language and project development.

Raised with a strong cultural upbringing, this lens combined with their studies and passion for sharing culture, guided them towards their current career.

Zavier is 18 years old and currently studying Social Work at Curtin University.

Zavier is a peer support worker and lived-experience speaker for Transfolk of WA, and is the wellbeing officer for the Y’s 2023 WA Youth Parliament.

Zavier is a young activist who has worked with numerous youth organisations to inspire positive change across Australia, including Run For it, Foundation for Young Australians, Youth Affairs Council of WA, and Body Confidence Collective.

Zavier is also a Youth Lived Experience member of YouthFocus’ QSCG committee, and is a youth consultant for the development of a Australian National Children’s Health and Development Atlas.

Simone McGurk was elected the Labor member for the seat of Fremantle at the March 2013 state election.

She was appointed Shadow Minister for Community Services; Women’s Interests; and Children’s Interests in 2015. With the election of the McGowan Labor Government in March 2017, she was appointed Minister for Child Protection; Women’s Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services.

In December 2022 her portfolios changed, and she was appointed Minister for Training; Water; Youth.

Ms McGurk worked in the union movement for over two decades. She was one of the first women elected to be an organiser for the male-dominated Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, before being elected the Assistant State Secretary in 1997. Given her strong sense of social justice, Ms McGurk later worked with United Voice, a union with a majority of women members.

In January 2007, Ms McGurk was elected the Assistant Secretary of the state’s peak union body, UnionsWA, where she coordinated the Your Rights at Work Campaign. Following this successful campaign, she was elected Secretary of UnionsWA in 2009.

Aunty Millie Penny is a proud Noongar woman and her country includes, Whadjuk, Boojarah and Ballardong.

Before retirement Millie worked in the community sector for over 27 years.  The majority of her work focused on women and family violence, including working for Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation, for 12 years.

Millie continues to contribute to both the sector and community and is an integral part of WACOSS, guiding and supporting us in our mission.

Charmaine Pell is also a Noongar woman and her country includes, Whadjuk, Boojarah, Wagyl Kaip, Ballardong and Gnaala.

Charmaine is a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Before her retirement Charmaine worked for 20 years in Child and Adolescence community services.

Charmaine supports WACOSS to improve and enhance practice, ensuring cultural security on Noongar land.

Ms Innes is a cultural advocate working in government, a mentor, consultant, board director and project manager.

Carol is currently Co-Director of Danjoo Koorliny, Co-Chair of Reconciliation Western Australia, board member North Metropolitan Health Service, board member Glass Jars (Netball WA), and is an advisory member to Kalamunda Arts Committee.

Carol has worked in not-for-profit organisations, arts and cultural organisations, state and federal government agencies, and Aboriginal-controlled community organisations.

Carol is a certified trainer and assessor, facilitator, and advocate of community cultural development.

Louise Giolitto has been part of the community services sector for over 22 years with experience managing homelessness programs, housing, youth services, Aboriginal support programs, employment, education, training, mentoring, drug education, seniors and emergency relief.

Louise has lived in the Kimberley and worked in the Pilbara which has given her great insight into the needs of regional WA.

Working at WACOSS is a unique experience that provides the opportunity to have an understanding across an incredible range of sub-sectors and work with a team of dedicated staff.

Louise has a commitment and belief the Community Services sector needs collective commitment and leadership to improve the quality of life to community members disadvantaged by the inequities in our society.

Louise strongly believes in the ethos and philosophy of the community-based not-for-profit organisations striving to build vibrant future for all Western Australians.

Pat is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO).

Pat is the current Convenor of the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Peak Organisations (the Coalition of Peaks).

Vicki is a Nyikina Mangala Aboriginal woman from Derby, who has worked as a Strategic Leader in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health for 17 years.

Vicki is currently CEO Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service (KAMS) in Broome. Vicki was instrumental in the establishment of both the DAHS dialysis unit and the Kimberley Renal Service.

Vicki has been a board member of AHCWA for over 17 years (10 years as the Chairperson), and is Chairperson of the WA Aboriginal Health Ethics Committee. She is an advisor on numerous State and Federal Ministerial Committees involved in Aboriginal health issues including representing WA on the Closing the Gap Coalition of Peaks and the WA Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

Vicki has a passion for Aboriginal Health which is noted on a state, regional and national level. She has gained enormous respect for her knowledge, attention to detail, and communication skills at a grass roots level.

Professor Cheryl Kickett-Tucker AM is a Wadjuk Noongar Aboriginal from Western Australia.

She is currently a research Fellow at Curtin University and the Founding Director of Koordoormitj Institute. As well as completing her PhD (Edith Cowan University, Perth), Cheryl also has a Master of Science (University of Oregon, USA), a Bachelor of Applied Science (Edith Cowan University, Perth) and an Associate Diploma of Applied Science (Edith Cowan University, Perth).

Her research interests include sense of self, identity and self-esteem of Aboriginal children, including the development of a series of culturally appropriate instruments for racial identity and self-esteem across the lifespan.

Quinton Tucker is a Ngullutharra-Walyen Wongutha from the North-Eastern Goldfields, WA yet has lived most of his life in Perth, WA.

He is keen social business entrepreneur, musician, and youth sports coach. He is a founding member and Director of Koya Aboriginal Corporation since 2006. He has been instrumental in the provision of accredited training for Aboriginal people, local community development, native title and business.

Quinton completed a Bachelor of Arts in Aboriginal Intercultural Studies and Human Services Administration from Edith Cowan University, Perth.

He has travelled extensively and was an active member on the Global Education Project at the University Of Oregon, USA.

Richard became involved with Aboriginal politics at an early age, having active involvement in the formation and operation of the Aboriginal Housing Board, the Aboriginal Medical Service, Legal Service and the New Era Aboriginal Fellowship.

Through his involvement, Richard first became aware of the potential of Aboriginal culture to give the Nyoongar people a sense of pride and identity. This awareness grew throughout the years, as Richard ‘learned’ about his own culture, moving into the world of Theatre and the Arts.

Ms Innes is a cultural advocate working in government, a mentor, consultant, board director and project manager.

Carol is currently Co-Director of Danjoo Koorliny, Co-Chair of Reconciliation Western Australia, board member North Metropolitan Health Service, board member Glass Jars (Netball WA), and is an advisory member to Kalamunda Arts Committee.

Carol has worked in not-for-profit organisations, arts and cultural organisations, state and federal government agencies, and Aboriginal-controlled community organisations.

Carol is a certified trainer and assessor, facilitator, and advocate of community cultural development.

Louise Giolitto has been part of the community services sector for over 22 years with experience managing homelessness programs, housing, youth services, Aboriginal support programs, employment, education, training, mentoring, drug education, seniors and emergency relief.

Louise has lived in the Kimberley and worked in the Pilbara which has given her great insight into the needs of regional WA.

Working at WACOSS is a unique experience that provides the opportunity to have an understanding across an incredible range of sub-sectors and work with a team of dedicated staff.

Louise has a commitment and belief the Community Services sector needs collective commitment and leadership to improve the quality of life to community members disadvantaged by the inequities in our society.

Louise strongly believes in the ethos and philosophy of the community-based not-for-profit organisations striving to build vibrant future for all Western Australians.

Over the past 20 years, Amanda has created positive change on individual, service and sector levels in service of Western Australians facing hardship, vulnerability and disadvantage.

Currently on behalf of 54 Reasons, which is part of the Save the Children Group, Amanda is committed to building stronger connections across government, corporate and the community sectors, creating opportunities for shared learning, new partnerships and advocating for change making.

Amanda is committed to respectful relationships with First Nations people and has fostered equal partnerships with Aboriginal Elders and Aboriginal Controlled organisations to enable successful Reconciliation in action.

In 2016, Amanda joined forces with other community sector leaders to establish the WA Alliance to End Homelessness, with the goal of ending homelessness in our State within the next decade.

Marcia is a Miriuwung Gajerrong woman from the Kununurra East Kimberley region.

Marcia has worked in the Community Services Sector for over 25 yea

Marcia strongly believes that connection to family, country, community and culture is fundamental to Aboriginal and Torres Strait children’s safety and wellbeing.

Dr Jennie Gray is the Chief Executive Officer of Women’s Legal Service. Jennie’s professional career in the community sector has spanned practice, management, research and policy roles.

This includes many years designing and delivering services in regional and remote WA and being employed as the Deputy CEO at WACOSS.

Her commitment to working alongside others to ensure a more just, fair, and sustainable society has been unwavering across these roles.

Laurel is proud to be part of the Noongar nation, born on her Grandmother’s country of Wagyl Kaip at Katanning. She also have extensive family connections in the Pilbara and other regions of Western Australia.

Laurel has been leading Yorgum as CEO since 2014. Prior to that she worked in the government sector for over 20 years at both State and Commonwealth levels.

Laurel has managed many key Aboriginal programs and projects across WA related to housing and community development. She also managed the Aboriginal Visitor’s Scheme for the WA Department of Corrective Services.

Jude has a long term and deep commitment to a more inclusive, just and equitable society. This is underpinned by a passion to see the Community Services sector move towards a development approach that goes well beyond service delivery. Authentic partnerhips with communities to enable capacity to be enhanced and increased so that they are able to make decisions about resources, systems and outcomes that affect their lives is critical.

Jude has spent the last 5 years as the WA State Manager, National Operations Manager and now Acting Head of World Vision Australia’s First Nations Program and is first and foremost committed to strong and sustainable development, particularly in remote regions of Western Australia. Currently, World Vision partners with Aboriginal Corporations and communities in the Derby region of the West Kimberley and extensively in Central Australia. This work is long term and is led by local First Nations people.

In her work before World Vision, Jude was the first woman to Chair the Australian Youth Policy and Action Coalition (the Federal Peak body for Youth Affairs) in 1998 and was on the National Representative Board firstly as a young person, and then as an organisational representative from 1993-1998. Jude was also on the Executive committee for the Youth Affairs Council of WA (YACWA) from 1998-2003 and Chairperson (Policy) from 1999-2003. Jude has also been granted Life membership of YACWA in recognition of her contribution to the WA Youth Sector.

Bringing a robust community development perspective, informed by her youth work and community development background, is a strength Jude brings to the sector. Jude is passionate about walking alongside First Nations communities to support them to lead their own development, particularly in the Early Years and Positive Youth Development. She brings over 36 years’ experience with her (including working in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, and WA) and is passionate to see meaningful place based, locally driven solutions to some of the most challenging issues we face in WA.

Rowena Mouda is a descendant of the Oomeday, Yowjabi, Bardi and Nyikina People of the West Kimberley Region of Western Australia.  She and her husband have four children, four grandchildren and live in the town of Derby, West Kimberley Region, Australia.

Rowena is a member of the Aboriginal Lands Trust and Councillor for the Shire of Derby. She has served as Chairperson and CEO of Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation, Chairperson of Mayala Inninalang Aboriginal Corporation and Ardyaloon Incorporated. She has a passion for the development of families and their children, and is committed to developing strong, inclusive communities with economic growth in the region. She currently leads the Ngunga Women’s Group as CEO delivering the the Early Years program in and around Derby, financial services including emergency relief support and small business development/social enterprise for women of Derby.

Rowena’s Country lies between Mayala and Dambimangari native title determination areas within the hundreds of islands in the Buccaneer Archipelago, northern Western Australia.

Ms Innes is a cultural advocate working in government, a mentor, consultant, board director and project manager.

Carol is currently Co-Director of Danjoo Koorliny, Co-Chair of Reconciliation Western Australia, board member North Metropolitan Health Service, board member Glass Jars (Netball WA), and is an advisory member to Kalamunda Arts Committee.

Carol has worked in not-for-profit organisations, arts and cultural organisations, state and federal government agencies, and Aboriginal-controlled community organisations.

Carol is a certified trainer and assessor, facilitator, and advocate of community cultural development.

Louise Giolitto has been part of the community services sector for over 22 years with experience managing homelessness programs, housing, youth services, Aboriginal support programs, employment, education, training, mentoring, drug education, seniors and emergency relief.

Louise has lived in the Kimberley and worked in the Pilbara which has given her great insight into the needs of regional WA.

Working at WACOSS is a unique experience that provides the opportunity to have an understanding across an incredible range of sub-sectors and work with a team of dedicated staff.

Louise has a commitment and belief the Community Services sector needs collective commitment and leadership to improve the quality of life to community members disadvantaged by the inequities in our society.

Louise strongly believes in the ethos and philosophy of the community-based not-for-profit organisations striving to build vibrant future for all Western Australians.