Dawn is an Aboriginal woman of Bard (West Kimberley) and Yjindjarbandi (Pilbara) descent, Dawn is a Winthrop Professor and Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health, University of Western Australia and has published widely on her work and joint research projects in the area of social work practice, community development and Aboriginal health and wellbeing.

Michael a Yuat Nyonngar man from the Moora and New Norcia areas north of Perth. Michael is an Associate Professor at Curtin University in the Faculty of Health Sciences. He leads a co-design research project focussed on changing service delivery, Looking Forward Moving Forward.

Michelle Broun is a proud Yindjibarndi woman living on Whadjuk Nyoongar Boodja. She grew up between the Pilbara and the Southwest-studying and working mainly in Perth. Michelle has worked at many levels and across many platforms to produce, promote and present Aboriginal arts and culture. She is a curator, cultural planner and creative producer-engaging with community and collaborating with artists to create thought -provoking and moving experiences for audiences, to build bridges between cultures and find common ground on which to move forward.

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

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

Although retired, Millie continues to contribute to both the sector and community.

Aunty Millie is an integral part of WACOSS, guiding and supporting us in our mission.

Kim is a descendant of the Wirlomin Noongar people. Kim is a novelist and writer, and the only Indigenous author to win the Miles Franklin Award, he has now won it twice. He is Professor of Creative Writing at Curtin’s School of Media, Creative Arts Social Inquiry.

Michael Piu is the CEO of St Patrick’s Community Support Centre, and has had over 20 years association the sector. He works to break down stereotypes, and advocates the importance of collaboration, towards the goal of ending homelessness.

Kelly Howlett has made her home in Port Hedland, for over 20 years. Throughout, Kelly has demonstrated leadership in raising the awareness and profile of the social environment in Port Hedland and the wider Pilbara. A passionate advocate for Aboriginal affairs, Kelly took up the position of Chief Executive Officer of Bloodwood Tree Association in September 2016. Bloodwood Tree Association is a wholly Aboriginal controlled organisation, that for over 43yrs has provided a broad array of services to those in need, disadvantaged, unemployed and affected by alcohol and drugs both in the Port/South Hedland and throughout the broader Pilbara area.

Kedy has worked in the area of domestic violence since 1983.

Her years of experience include 24-years as the CEO of the Pat Giles Centre . She is currently the Acting CEO of the Centre for Women’s safety and Wellbeing.

Kedy became a Justice of the Peace in 1999 and worked for many years in the Magistrate’s Court hearing Family Violence Restraining Orders. She is also an Independent prison visitor to Boronia Pre-release Centre.

She is currently a member on the boards of the Royal Association of Justices, the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees, Gay Rights in Aging and the Women’s Hall of Fame.

Philippa is the Director of Services at Anglicare WA, responsible for the service delivery of the organisation across WA. With a background in social work and more recent training in Social Impact and Management, she has over 20 year’s experience in the WA community services sector. Philippa’s career to date has also included roles in teaching and training, community based consulting and leadership. She is passionate about the role of leadership in creating lasting positive social impact and addressing root causes of entrenched social problems. Philippa juggles work with family, three amazing kids and a love of sustainability and permaculture.

Suellen Jerrard is the Australian Corporate Affairs Manager for Alcoa, which operates bauxite mines and alumina refineries in the south west of the state. Suellen’s remit includes leading the company’s community investment, work she is passionate about. Over the last decade, Suellen has worked alongside corporates, community groups and not-for-profits to build meaningful and sustainable projects. Empowering communities and individuals to overcome challenges and reach their aspirations has been the most rewarding part of her career. A proud resident of regional WA, Suellen is happiest at home on her semi-rural property with her husband, two grown sons, dog and chickens.

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

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

Although retired, Millie continues to contribute to both the sector and community.

Aunty Millie is an integral part of WACOSS, guiding and supporting us in our mission.

Charmaine Pell is 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 provides integral support to WACOSS to improve and enhance practice, ensuring cultural security on Noongar land.

With more than two decades’ experience in the health and community service sectors, Debra Zanella is a natural leader and passionate advocate for practical and decisive action to disrupt cycles of social disadvantage.

She is currently Chief Executive Officer of Ruah Community Services and President of the Western Australian Council of Social Services (WACOSS).

A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Debra is also a Board Member of the Australian Centre for Social Impact, Western Australia’s East Metropolitan Health Service and member of the Supporting Communities Forum.

Debra is a firm believer in a collaborative approach to grappling with challenging social issues and has worked with a wide range of providers and funders across the community services sector – with very successful results.

Debra is a founding member of the WA Alliance to End Homelessness (WAAEH) and a member of the Australian Alliance to End Home Homelessness (AAEH). Her career has also demonstrated her commitment to youth mental health, disability services, and tackling the social, mental and physical health issues arising from substance abuse, as well as demonstrating her considerable experience in complex service delivery arrangements.

Hilary is an internationally acclaimed social entrepreneur working with communities and governments around the world to design collaborative, affordable solutions to big social challenges. Innovations include new approaches to employment, care, ageing and chronic health conditions. Transformation is achieved through an emphasis on human relationships supported by technology.

Hilary’s current work focuses on the need for a ‘fifth social revolution’: to enable widespread flourishing in this century as work, society and our economies go through deep structural change.

Hilary’s book Radical Help on the future of welfare was published to widespread acclaim in June 2018 by Little Brown UK. Her TED talk on the future of social systems has had over 750,000 views.

Hilary was educated at Oxford, Sussex and the Open University. She is an Honorary Professor at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose. Hilary has been recognised by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader and was named UK Designer of the Year in 2005 for her work pioneering social design. She was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to the welfare state. Hilary lives in London.

www.hilarycottam.com
@HilaryCottam

With more than two decades’ experience in the health and community service sectors, Debra Zanella is a natural leader and passionate advocate for practical and decisive action to disrupt cycles of social disadvantage.

She is currently Chief Executive Officer of Ruah Community Services and President of the Western Australian Council of Social Services (WACOSS).

A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Debra is also a Board Member of the Australian Centre for Social Impact, Western Australia’s East Metropolitan Health Service and member of the Supporting Communities Forum.

Debra is a firm believer in a collaborative approach to grappling with challenging social issues and has worked with a wide range of providers and funders across the community services sector – with very successful results.

Debra is a founding member of the WA Alliance to End Homelessness (WAAEH) and a member of the Australian Alliance to End Home Homelessness (AAEH). Her career has also demonstrated her commitment to youth mental health, disability services, and tackling the social, mental and physical health issues arising from substance abuse, as well as demonstrating her considerable experience in complex service delivery arrangements.

Mark has over twenty five years’ experience across a range of human services which includes service delivery to families and children, community development, public policy and services to offenders.  He has held senior executive positions for the Government of Western Australia and also worked in Local Government and community organisations.

Mark joined Anglicare WA in October 2013 and until his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in March 2019, held responsibility for service delivery across Western Australia.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of New South Wales, a Graduate Diploma in Media Studies from Edith Cowan University and is a GAICD. Mark has been the Chairperson of Shelter WA 2015-19 and is the Co-convenor of the Home Stretch WA Campaign and a member of the Ending Homelessness WA Alliance.

Thomas Mayor is a Torres Strait Islander who was born and raised on Larrakia Land in Darwin. He was a wharfie for sixteen years before becoming an official of his union.

In 2017 he attended the Darwin Regional Constitutional Dialogue, where he was elected to represent the region at the Uluru National Constitutional Convention.

Since the overwhelming endorsement of the Uluru Statement at Uluru, Thomas has tirelessly advocated for the proposals in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and is the author of ‘Finding the Heart of the Nation – the journey of the Uluru Statement towards Voice, Treaty and Truth’, published by Hardie Grant. His book tells his story, the story of the Uluru Statement, and features some of the remarkable Indigenous people that he met on his campaigning journey. A children’s version of the book will be published in June 2020.

Dr John Falzon is Senior Fellow, Inequality and Social Justice at Per Capita, a progressive policy think tank. He is a sociologist, poet and social justice advocate and was national CEO of the St Vincent de Paul Society from 2006 to 2018. He has written and spoken widely on neoliberalism and the structural causes of inequality. He is the author of The language of the unheard (2012) and a collection of poems, Communists like us (2017). He is a member of the Australian Services Union.

Dr Naomi Joy Godden is a Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellow at Edith Cowan University, focusing on community action for climate justice. She collaborates with communities and civil society organisations to undertake Feminist Participatory Action Research to understand the intersections of climate change, social justice and human rights, and develop and implement community-led actions for social change. Naomi has 17-years’ experience as a community social worker and social justice and environmentalist activist in Australia, the Asia Pacific and Latin America. She is also the co-chair of the Women’s Climate Justice Collective, chair of Just Home Margaret River Inc, and an elected Councillor at the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

Chris Twomey is the Leader of Policy and Research for the WA 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. He 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.

Commissioner for Children and Young People Colin Pettit has spent his career working with children and young people in the education sector across Western Australia and Tasmania in teaching, administration and executive roles. In all of his education roles, Colin has had a focus on improving the wellbeing of children and young people. As Commissioner Colin has a statutory responsibility to monitor, protect and advocate for the wellbeing of the more than 600,000 children and young people under the age of 18 in Western Australia.

Glenda Kickett belongs to the Whadjuk and Ballardong peoples of the Bibbulumun Nyungah nation from the South West of Western Australiat hrough both her mother and father’s family lines. She is a Social Worker, having graduated from the University of Western Australia (UWA)in 1993; has a Master of Arts from Curtin University in Indigenous Research and Development in 2004; and is completing a PhD in Social Work at UWA.

Glenda is the Manager, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement at the Australian Childhood Foundation and has worked to support and advocate for Aboriginal children and families in Out-of-Home care, family support and reunification programs within government and non-government organisations. She also lectures in the School of Social Work in the unit, Indigenous People and Social Work.Glenda as been recognised with numerous awards including WA Social Worker of the Year Worker (2010) and Richmond Fellowship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Worker of the Year (2010); inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame 2016; as well as the Grace Vaughn Award 2011 and finalist in the WA Day Awards, Aboriginal section 2019.She is the Chairperson of NAIDOC Perth Inc. and a member of the Noongar Family Safety Wellbeing Council; Co-Chair of Social Reinvestment WA and Chairperson of Shooting Stars, Glass Jar, Australia, education through netball.

Karina has led and co-designed strategic cross-sector partnerships and programs to support vulnerable children and families in Western Australia, four of which have received state-wide awards. She has a Masters Degree in Human Rights, writing a dissertation entitled ‘Leave No-one Behind: Australia’s Promise to Aboriginal Children’. In 2018 Karina was awarded a Churchill Fellowship, she travelled to New Zealand and the USA gaining new knowledge around early intervention strategies and policies, to prevent the transmission of intergenerational disadvantage. Karina is passionate about creating a better Australia for the most vulnerable children and families in our communities.

Tina Holtom is the CEO at Child Australia and has worked in various executive positions within the Education, and Child Development sectors for over 20 years. Tina is a strategic leader dedicated to innovation, continuous improvement and championing social change. Tina has worked with children and families in early learning settings, school systems and therapeutic environments. Tina holds formal qualifications in Business Management, Teaching, and has a Master’s Degree in Mental Heath Science, specialising in Child Psychology. As a mother to 2 boys, Tina is a ferocious advocate for nurturing children’s rights, encouraging the child’s voice at every possible opportunity.

Emma impacts communities and social movements, creating positive change driven by her ability for meaningful conversations and enabling action in others. She is currently achieving this by working at the Museum of Freedom and Tolerance which amplifies the voices and stories of marginalised communities, using the arts as a platform for conversation and change.

Emma has a decade of experience in political campaigning across the United States and around the world. More recently, Emma was the WA State Director for the Australians for Marriage Equality campaign, with WA achieving the second highest YES vote in the national survey.

Dr. sky croeser is based at Curtin University, in the School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry. Her research focuses on how we use and change the technologies of everyday life, from seeds to social media. Find out more at skycroeser.ne

Rebecca Doyle is the Campaigns Officer at Unions WA,She has worked extensively on State and Federal Labor election campaigns and union campaigns across her career.

One of her most enjoyable roles was as the Field Organiser for Cowan on the 2016 Federal election. In this role she organised community members to have one on one conversations with their neighbors, which led to the election of Australia’s first Muslimwoman to the House of Representatives, Anne Aly.

In 2020, she was part of a group of activists that learnt and then taught Marshall Ganz’s Leadership, Organisation and Action framework to unionists and progressives across the country.

She is also studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology, as she believes that everyone’s story is worth sharing.

Caitlin is a Bunjima woman from Roebourne who grew up strong and proud in her culture. She has been working at FMG for the last 5 years as an Exploration Geologist and has volunteered at Amnesty International since 2019. She joined Amnesty International after reading about another 10-year-old Aboriginal child committing suicide and wanted to do something to help her mob. Since joining Amnesty she has been part of a number of campaigns, predominantly the Raise the Age campaign that aims to increase the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years old.

Justin is a Cadet Organiser with Climate Justice Union. Climate Justice Union works to accelerate the transition to net zero emissions while taking care of people and place. At Climate Justice Union, Justin is learning key organising skills in the climate movement while also helping to build CJU as a key change-making organisation in the space.

He is 18 years old and has been actively engaged with politics and activism, with experiences in helping to organize the School Strike 4 Climate movement in 2018.

Marziya Mohammedali is a wordsmith, photographer, designer, educator and artist. Their creative practice focuses on narratives of dissent, identity, migration and transition, working for social justice. They have documented several protest movements within Perth and have been involved in creative and digital activism for various issues. They are also the Arts Editor at Jalada Africa, an online pan-African publishing platform. They are currently undertaking a PhD focusing on identity, protest, and photography, and recently held their first solo exhibition, ‘we are the ones we have been waiting for’.

Madeleine McLeod is the Development Executive for the Valuing Children Initiative (VCI), a social impact movement taking a unique preventative approach to how we as Australian adults value children to increase child wellbeing and allow all children to flourish into adulthood.  Maddie recognises there are systemic and attitudinal barriers that prevent many children from reaching their potential and is focused on finding creative ways to effect positive change for children, and for society more broadly.

Michael Berry is the President of the Western Australia Branch of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Michael is a Curtin University graduate and has experience across the health spectrum as a case manager for complex patients within the health system. Michael has a particular interest in the social determinants of health, the complexity of mental health and substance use, and trauma-informed practice.

Louise Lamont is the Chief Executive Officer at Phoenix Support and Advocacy Service Inc., a specialist service available to those residing in the Perth metropolitan area and providing counselling and support to adult survivors of child sexual abuse and those impacted by a disclosure. Phoenix supports the healing and recovery journey from historical abuse, to individuals and groups, and Phoenix has developed holistic evidence informed approaches to address the unique needs of each survivor accessing the service.

Sue Thomas is Strategic Priority Lead at the Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre. The Centre’s vision is to Strengthen the power of women and their families to create culturally rich, engaged and healthy lives. Marninwarntikura work with women and families in the Fitzroy Valley to respond to complex challenges faced by our families and community. They are embarking on a healing journey that draws on the strengths and resilience of Fitzroy Valley Women.

Kathy Mokaraka is a Clinical Manager at Yorgum, a well-respected Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation that was established in 1991 by a group of Aboriginal women who were concerned about the lack of appropriate counselling support for Aboriginal people experiencing spiritual, emotional and psychological pain. The emphasis is on a healing approach at Yorgum, rather than an ongoing crisis driven one.

Renna is a proud Yuin woman (South Coast of NSW) and mother of four who has experienced and challenged disadvantage throughout her life.  Renna’s life experience has fuelled the development of her policy and advocacy skills which she applies to her volunteering work with government and Not for Profit agencies here on Noongar land.

Renna is also a social work student, current Community Advisory Member of the 100 Families Research Project and made a key contribution to the development of the Lived Experience Framework. Renna is a life time activist for social justice and Indigenous empowerment.

Leela James is the Community Relief and Resilience coordinator at the WA Council of Social Service, providing policy and sector support to the emergency relief and charity food sectors in Western Australia.

Her professional career in the community sector has spaned project management, research, engagement and policy in a variety of contexts including the consumer movement, disability and mental health.

Leela is committed to working in partnership across sectors, including elevating the voice of and partnership opportunities for people with lived experience to ensure a more just, fair and equitable society.

In addition to a Master of Human Rights Practice, Leela holds Certificates in project management, training and education and IAP2 engagement.

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 beyond service delivery. Partnering 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 3 years as the State Manager for 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 also the Western Desert in the East Pilbara. This work is long term and is led by local First Nations people.

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. Parent to four great humans, as well as many two and four legged creatures, Jude thrives on having a house full of laughs, friends, family and food.

Selena was born and raised in Derby, she is the descendent of the Bardi tribe in the West Kimberley and Jaru tribe in the East Kimberley. Selena is the mother of four children, after separating from her first partner she was a single mother for a number of years, until she met her late partner, she spent 20 years on Bohemia Downs Station. When Selena left Derby she worked for Ngunga Women’s Group and on her return to Derby 2019, Selena got the position as General Manager of Ngunga Women’s Group. Selena has experience in community management and development and a range of other skills. Selena is very committed to women and families issues, early childhood education, upskilling young women to empower them to be the leaders to make changes. Selena is to date a survivor of breast cancer and her message to other women is to not feel shame or embarrassed, to have regular women’s check-ups as this can save your life.

Rowena was born in Derby and raised at One Arm Point Community. A descendent of the Oomeday, Nyikina and Bardi tribe of the West Kimberley region. Mother of four, together with her husband, spent 14 years at Junjuwa Community in Fitzroy Crossing, 5yrs at One Arm Point before relocating to Derby with her family in 2012. Rowena has over 20 years’ experience in Community Organisations in the areas of Native Title, Community and Enterprise development, early years education, social and life skills. Rowena has also worked in Child Protection and Education, a passionate advocate for education, strong family units and Community lead organization with strong governance and leadership. Rowena has a Diploma of Business Management, has served on several Board’s over the past 20 years, Rowena is committed to developing strong, inclusive communities where everyone can contribute. She promotes sustainable development that achieves a balance between the needs ofall relevant stakeholders. Rowena is currently employed by Ngunga Women’s Group in Derby leading the early years Team delivering playgroup’s in the Derby region and in October 2019 joined the Shire of Debry WK for a 4 year term as a Councillor.

Andrew Hall, Rachel Marsh and Zoe Iveson work at Perth Inner City Youth Service.

Andrew has worked in the Community and Youth Sectors since 1985 in a variety of engagement and leadership roles.

Rachel has studies in psychology and worked in youth mental services and homelessness since 1997.

Zoe Iveson studied Social Work and has worked with young people leaving care and those experiencing homelessness since 2009.

They have worked together for 6 years focused on improving the quality of life and building resilience of young people experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges through high trust relationships and community belonging.

Nick Maisey is a values-based leader with a passion for nurturing human connection, belonging and universal solidarity. Nick founded Perth-based organisation Befriend in 2010 to catalyse a movement of connectedness. His experiences as an Occupational Therapist, social entrepreneur, community builder and consultant have nurtured his values of freedom, courage, compassion and hope. He strives to bring these values to life through organisational leadership, strategic partnerships for greater collaborative impact, and design of organisations & services.

Joni Sercombe is MercyCare’s in-house Service Designer, utilising co-design processes to develop effective and impactful services. She has supported the design and delivery of diverse social value projects in WA and overseas. She uses 20 years of social science and arts experience to brings a systems perspective along with creative curiosity to the challenge of creating a better world.

Nikki Peapell is the MercyCare Youth and Homelessness Services Manager. Her background is in Psychology and Maori Studies and she has worked in the youth mental health sector for over 12 years – as a Youth Worker, Psychologist, Clinical Lead and Operations Manager.  She brings significant experience in community and bicultural mental health.

Alison is the Director of Policy, Research and Advocacy at the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing. Alison’s areas of expertise and interest are violence against women, the social determinants of women’s physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health, gender equity, and public and social policy.  She has a dedicated and long-term focus on preventing violence, promoting health and advancing gender equity.

Amanda Hunt is the CEO of Uniting WA.  She has 20+ years’ experience in the Community Sector, with expertise in building capacity through leading innovative, sustainable services and demonstrated advocacy for the rights of vulnerable members of our society.

Michael Piu is the CEO of St Patrick’s Community Support Centre, and has had over 20 years association the sector. He works to break down stereotypes, and advocates the importance of collaboration, towards the goal of ending homelessness.

Kate Chaney is Director Innovation & Strategy at Anglicare WA.  She has strategy development experience in a range of sectors, including at Boston Consulting Group, Wesfarmers Ltd and as a lawyer.

Dr Ellie Tighe is Research and Impact Evaluation Consultant at Ruah Community Services, with 8 years’ experience in research and impact evaluation. All three facilitators sit on the SIMNA WA committee.

Desiree Nangle is MercyCare’s Impact and Outcomes specialist, with over 8 years’ experience in designing and implementing outcomes measurement frameworks.

Kaitlyn Griggs holds a postgraduate qualification in Social Impact from UWA and is General Manager of Contract Governance & Impact (CGI) at Anglicare WA. She is responsible for in-depth service outcome reporting and analysis across diverse, community-focused services. Previously Kaitlyn was Manager Community at the Town of Victoria Park, where she supported community groups and not-for-profit organisations to measure outcomes aligned to the Town’s Strategic Community Plan. As Senior Program and Service Advisor for the Victorian State Government), Kaitlyn supported Disability Service Providers to transition to Individualised Funding Packages, and to meet service compliance requirements.

Janella Isaac, Josh Augustine and Rosana Smith are Community Navigators who helped initiate a project empowering the families north of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula. With backbone support from govt. and non-govt. agencies and organizations such as Save The Children, Woodside, Aarnja, Empowered Communities, NIAA, Dept. of Communities and Kullarri Regional Communities Indigenous Corporation.

The Navigators have developed an indigenous governance structure being guided by their communities providing a grassroot directive and cultural guidance enabling greater engagements towards achieving outcomes.

Identifying existing resources, Navigators form partnerships and work within a collaborative approach to help build community capacity. Navigators help coordinate the Service Provision in their area and support research around health and social issues in their communities.

The Community Navigator’s vision is to establish a prosperous future for their people and strive towards having community control by paving the way to reach the point of self-determination through the Woombooriny Amboon Angarriiya Partnership Initiative (WAAPI).

Janella Isaac, Josh Augustine and Rosana Smith are Community Navigators who helped initiate a project empowering the families north of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula. With backbone support from govt. and non-govt. agencies and organizations such as Save The Children, Woodside, Aarnja, Empowered Communities, NIAA, Dept. of Communities and Kullarri Regional Communities Indigenous Corporation.

The Navigators have developed an indigenous governance structure being guided by their communities providing a grassroot directive and cultural guidance enabling greater engagements towards achieving outcomes.

Identifying existing resources, Navigators form partnerships and work within a collaborative approach to help build community capacity. Navigators help coordinate the Service Provision in their area and support research around health and social issues in their communities.

The Community Navigator’s vision is to establish a prosperous future for their people and strive towards having community control by paving the way to reach the point of self-determination through the Woombooriny Amboon Angarriiya Partnership Initiative (WAAPI).

Janella Isaac, Josh Augustine and Rosana Smith are Community Navigators who helped initiate a project empowering the families north of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula. With backbone support from govt. and non-govt. agencies and organizations such as Save The Children, Woodside, Aarnja, Empowered Communities, NIAA, Dept. of Communities and Kullarri Regional Communities Indigenous Corporation.

The Navigators have developed an indigenous governance structure being guided by their communities providing a grassroot directive and cultural guidance enabling greater engagements towards achieving outcomes.

Identifying existing resources, Navigators form partnerships and work within a collaborative approach to help build community capacity. Navigators help coordinate the Service Provision in their area and support research around health and social issues in their communities.

The Community Navigator’s vision is to establish a prosperous future for their people and strive towards having community control by paving the way to reach the point of self-determination through the Woombooriny Amboon Angarriiya Partnership Initiative (WAAPI).

Dr Jess Bunning provides coaching, mentoring, strategic and technical capacity building support to the Community Navigator team for the design and implementation of the Woombooriny Amboon Angarriiya Partnership Initiative (WAAPI), focusing on strengthening multi-disciplinary partnerships and alliances while enabling service system transformation for thriving, resilient communities.

Prior to Save The Children, Jess served in senior roles with UNESCO, managing collaborative initiatives responsive to Indigenous community needs and aspirations. Her experience spans various socio-economic, policy and technological solutions for building pathways to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth that empowers people and promotes equality with minimal impact on the environment.

Jess Corbyn is Ruah’s Family and Domestic Violence Interventions Coordinator. She has a particular interest and experience in working with Aboriginal communities. Jess has a passion for supporting teams, working in high crisis accommodation and providing assistance and support to people with lived experience of family and domestic violence.

As the Belmont Safeguarding Families Community Worker, Donna Western, provides trauma informed case management, support and brief intervention to people with lived experience of family and domestic violence. Donna’s passion is advocating and walking alongside families impacted by family and domestic violence.

Tanya Elson is the Director Children and Families at the Department of Communities. She leads policy development and service design in the areas of family and domestic violence, women’s interests, and parenting and early years. Tanya has worked in a wide range of policy, research and practitioner roles in government, not for profit organisations and tertiary education, and is passionate about fostering initiatives to support gender equality, prevent family and domestic violence and grow strong families and communities.

As CEO of Stopping Family Violence (SFV), Damian Green is a passionate advocator and researcher of Family and Domestic Violence interventions, with 15 years experience in the sector. Through his work at SFV, and previous role as a Research Associate at Curtin University, Damian has been involved in numerous research projects exploring, family violence, intervention programs and parenting. Damian is an APHRA registered psychologist and supervisor and an experienced group work facilitator and trainer in the areas of violent offending, working with men, parenting and MBCPs. In addition, Damian is a Board Member of Starick Services, a specialist family and domestic violence service supporting women and children, an accredited Safe and Together trainer and an Australian trainer for Caring Dads.

Kedy has worked in the area of domestic violence since 1983.

Her years of experience include 24-years as the CEO of the Pat Giles Centre . She is currently the Acting CEO of the Centre for Women’s safety and Wellbeing.

Kedy became a Justice of the Peace in 1999 and worked for many years in the Magistrate’s Court hearing Family Violence Restraining Orders. She is also an Independent prison visitor to Boronia Pre-release Centre.

She is currently a member on the boards of the Royal Association of Justices, the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees, Gay Rights in Aging and the Women’s Hall of Fame.

Kayelene Kerr is recognised as one of Western Australia’s most experienced specialist providers of Protective Behaviours, Cyber Safety, Digital Wellness and Pornography education workshops. Kayelene is passionate about the prevention of child abuse and sexual exploitation, drawing on over 23 years’ experience of study and law enforcement, investigating sexual crimes, including technology facilitated crimes. Kayelene is the Founder of eSafeKids and delivers engaging and sought after prevention education workshops to educate, equip and empower children and young people. Kayelene strives to reduce and prevent harm by supporting and inspiring parents, carers, educators and other professionals to talk with children, young people and vulnerable adults about sensitive and tricky topics.

Eva Mwakichako is the acting Welcome Hub Project Lead at City of Stirling. Eva migrated from Kenya 17 years ago to pursue further studies at Edith Cowan University, and studied Graduate Diploma in Education. She also studied at University of Adelaide and completed a Master of Arts degree in Population and Human Resource Development. Eva’s role at City of Stirling is to encourage and support newly arrived migrants to become self-reliant and participate equitably in Australian society, with a focus on fostering social participation, economic well-being, independence, personal well-being and community connectedness. Eva is a member of the Multicultural Advisory Group at City of Wanneroo and on the Board of Dianella Education Precinct.

Lesley has over 40 years’ clinical experience within the primary health sector throughout regional, rural and remote Western Australia. She currently is the WA Primary Health Alliance Regional Manager, Great Southern.

One of the most exciting achievements in Lesley’s primary health career has been the allocation and co-location of staff and resources to the City of Albany for the Aged Friendly Charter and Compassionate Communities Projects. The formation of these new collaborative partnerships between the community, health services and local government has created the opportunity for a collective impact on the social determinants affecting the health and well-being of our communities.

Sharon Wood-Kenney is a proud Noongar Yamatji woman who has been, and continues to be a pioneer and inspirational leader around Western Australia. A recent WAALI graduate, Founder/Executive Manager of Djinda Bridiya Wellbeing Aboriginal Organisation. Sharon is a strong advocate for the tough conversations on disruption thinking, challenging non-functioning systems and cross-cultural awareness. She brings people together and with a strong leadership style, working through complex cultural lens with a scope beyond many. A respected and sort after community engagement co-design Consultant. With strong ties in both the Indigenous and other communities, Sharon is intent on creating opportunities for all disadvantaged children, families, and individuals. She is part of the Danjoo Koorliny Walking Together team and has been working on several co-design projects with the Centre for Social Impact UWA and other departments at UWA on many themes including homelessness, family and domestic violence, child protection and waterways. Sharon Wood-Kenney was inducted to the WA Women’s Hall of Fame in 2020.

Glenda Kickett belongs to the Whadjuk and Ballardong peoples of the Bibbulumun Nyungah nation from the South West of Western Australiat hrough both her mother and father’s family lines. She is a Social Worker, having graduated from the University of Western Australia (UWA)in 1993; has a Master of Arts from Curtin University in Indigenous Research and Development in 2004; and is completing a PhD in Social Work at UWA.

Glenda is the Manager, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement at the Australian Childhood Foundation and has worked to support and advocate for Aboriginal children and families in Out-of-Home care, family support and reunification programs within government and non-government organisations. She also lectures in the School of Social Work in the unit, Indigenous People and Social Work.Glenda as been recognised with numerous awards including WA Social Worker of the Year Worker (2010) and Richmond Fellowship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Worker of the Year (2010); inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame 2016; as well as the Grace Vaughn Award 2011 and finalist in the WA Day Awards, Aboriginal section 2019.She is the Chairperson of NAIDOC Perth Inc. and a member of the Noongar Family Safety Wellbeing Council; Co-Chair of Social Reinvestment WA and Chairperson of Shooting Stars, Glass Jar, Australia, education through netball.

Dr Brad Pettitt was first elected as the Mayor of the City of Fremantle in 2009. Across his three terms as Mayor, Brad has been passionate about making Freo a liveable, sustainable and inclusive city.

Until taking up the role of Mayor, Brad was the Dean of the School of Sustainability at Murdoch University.

Brad has previously worked with Oxfam in Cambodia and with the Australian Government Aid Program, AusAID, in Canberra and is currently a member of the West Australian Heritage Council.

Lizzie O’Shea is a lawyer, writer, and broadcaster. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, Guardian, and Sydney Morning Herald, among others. She was the host of Legal Briefs, for the ABC.

Lizzie is a founder and the chair of Digital Rights Watch, which advocates for human rights online. She is an advisor to the board of the National Justice Project, where she established a Copwatch program, which was a recipient of the Davis Projects for Peace Prize. In 2019, Lizzie was named a Human Rights Hero by Access Now.

Her book, Future Histories (Verso, 2019), looks at radical social movements from history and applies them to debates we have about technology today. It has been shortlisted for the Premier’s Literary Award.

Angie Tangaere was born in Papakura and raised in South Auckland with a whakapapa to Ngāti Porou on her father’s side and Pākeha from Taranaki on her mother’s side.

She graduated with a law degree from the University of Auckland but decided not to become a lawyer. Angie was keen to work at a community level and took up a role at Te Puni Kokiri working with iwi and Māori trusts in South Auckland. She then worked with the Ministry of Social Development in South Auckland communities looking for ways to develop better services and engagement with communities and whānau.

She moved on to a role with Māori health NGO, the National Hauora coalition before coming to work with The Southern Initiative. She combines her experience with government agencies, community and whānau to develop and co-design whānau-led programmes, disrupting ineffective ‘business as usual’ systems.

Celia was born in Wairoa and raised in Flaxmere Hastings, in a prodominately Māori community.

Both Celia’s parents are Māori.  Her dad is Tūhoe Lambert of Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Ruapani and Ngāti Kahungunu  iwi and her mum is Ada Lambert nee Horohau of Tūhoe iwi.  She has 5 siblings 3 brothers and 1 sister – They were raised around many cousins, uncles, aunties, kuia and kaumatua.  In 2019 Celia married Jimmy Tai Hirini of Ngapuhi descent, and together they have 11 beautiful children.

Celia graduated in 1999 with a Diploma in Bilingual Teaching from Te Rangakura, and then gained a Diploma in Adult Education 2017 and a Master of Applied Indeginous Knowledge 2020 from Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

Celia’s practice is underpined by a Tikanga Māori framework informed by Kaupapa Māori thoery.  She has worked in the social and community sector for over 10 years specialising in whānau engagement.  Her current role is Community and Service Innovation Facilitator at Papakura Marae, Auckland, New Zealand, disrupting systems moving away from a service centred approach and opting for a whānau led approach facilitating life long outcomes for whānau.

Dr Amanda Tattersall co-founded GetUp.org.au and founded the Sydney Alliance, which brought community organising to Australia. She wrote Power in Coalition and currently hosts the ChangeMakers Podcast that tells stories about social change. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Sydney University’s Sydney Policy Lab.

Leanne is an Arrernte woman born and raised in Alice Springs with academic qualifications in Environmental Science, Law and Management.

Despite these formal qualifications, Leanne believes her grandmother and great-grandmother were the source of her most important knowledge and learnings because they taught her about traditional land management skills, particularly with the use of fire.

Leanne is grateful for these rich and diverse learnings and the many other opportunities and support she has received that have made her personal journey a little easier. She appreciates these advantages come with the obligation to share the benefits and understandings with others, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal.  Her passion is to improve the human rights of others and provide a voice for those who need to be heard.

Leanne has served in many senior public service roles, including within the Department for Premier and Cabinet as Manager of Food Security for Aboriginal communities in South Australia, and Manager of the APY and West Coast regions of South Australia. She was also the first Aboriginal female police officer in South Australia where she worked for 11 years as a Senior Constable in remote and Adelaide police stations. Leanne has also worked on the international circuit including various roles for the United Nations in Geneva, New York and Paris in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNESCO.

Having served on several boards as a Director, including Bush Heritage Australia, Leanne remains a member of the Menzies School of Health Research board.

Since returning to Darwin, Leanne has worked as the Senior Policy Advisor for the Northern Land Council and the Principal Legal Policy Officer in the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice. Leanne is now the Director of the Aboriginal Justice Unit where she is working with a small team to deliver the first NT Aboriginal Justice Agreement.

Wendy has nearly 18 years of experience providing leadership for the delivery of treatment for alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems within a residential setting and is currently the Manager for the Solid Steps program.

Wendy has qualified as a Therapeutic Community technical expert and participated in the development of standards of practice, including the recently released 4th Ed. Mental Health Commission Counselling Guidelines for AOD services (2019). Furthermore, Wendy has provided a leading role in developing the WA quality framework standards for accreditation of human services.

Wendy has an interest in travel and has been fortunate to visit Therapeutic Communities across Australia and in 2019 attended the European Federation of Therapeutic Communities conference in Greece.

With a passionate commitment to healing through self-help and mutual aid, Wendy has managed teams to develop strong commitments to the Therapeutic Community model while delivering services that meet quality standards within contractual time frames and requirements

Rohan Collard is a Nyungar man from the Baladong and Wadjuk Nations in Western Australia. Rohan is currently the General Manager of the Early Intervention and Family Support programs as well as Community engagement for Wungening Aboriginal Corporation. Rohan received his Bachelor of Social Science degree in 2013. Prior to his start with Wungening, Rohan has received numerous awards for his work and study. He was the recipient of the Lilian Passmore scholarship and also the Vice Chancellors Award.

Rohan comes from a big Aboriginal family and has a family of his own. Rohan commenced his career at the Department of Communities where he remained for 16 years. Rohan is passionate about his people, in particular young people and ensuring they have the best start they can have. Rohan finished with The Dept of communities as a Team Leader in the South West.

Rohan oversees Wungening Alliance programs Early intervention and Family Support services Family Support Networks, Stronger together, Beyond Youth Justice program and manages Wungening Moort program for an Aboriginal In-Home Support Service.

Member of the Aboriginal TRG Task Force, Northern Suburbs Legal Service, South West Land and Sea Council, Derbal Yerrigan Medical Service.

Celeste has been living in the Pilbara since the beginning of 2019 working collaboratively with the local community, government, social services sector and corporate bodies in identifying new ways of working together to address complex social challenges. Her current role at the WA Council of Social Services sees her engage creatively with various organisations to improve social outcomes which advocating for change at a state level. In addition to this, Celeste uses her experience in youth services and international community development and her Master’s in Public and Social Policy to build relationships and work innovatively in regional Australia.

Robyn commenced with Communicare in 2018 as Director of Children and Family Services. She has extensive experience in senior leadership roles across the community and human services sector based in Western Australia and the United Kingdom. Prior to joining Communicare, Robyn spent 10 years working in high profile strategic management and policy reform roles across various Government agencies, namely the Department of Communities, Child Protection and Family Support; Disability Services; and Department of the Attorney General. Robyn was recently appointed a board member for the Centre for Womens Safety and Wellbeing in December 2020. Robyn graduated with a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management and a Bachelor of Social Work and has many years’ experience leading teams of social workers, therapists; project workers and team administrators to deliver a range of community services to vulnerable individuals and families, across metropolitan and outreach sites. Robyn’s position at Communicare entails the service delivery and development of our family violence services, children’s services, family services and cultural and settlement services.

Rohan Rasiah is an Associate Professor in Rural Health and Assistant Director (Pilbara) at the Western Australian Centre Rural Health (based in the Pilbara), and a practicing community pharmacist. Prior to this current appointment, he was the Program Convenor of the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) program at the University of Newcastle, and has extensive experience teaching various subjects in undergraduate pharmacy curricula.  Rasiah has worked in community pharmacy for over 30 years with a significant period of that time in rural and remote across Australia, including Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia.

Rasiah’s current research interests are in provision of family and domestic violence primary prevention strategies, health services to rural/remote communities, quality use of medications, health literacy, and the use of simulation in health education.  Rasiah has experience in community engagement and working with rural and remote communities.

In his current role, he is involved in the design and delivery of Pharmacy and Allied Health placement programs in the Pilbara.  He is also focused working with communities to increase health literacy and developing sustainable and innovative workforce models for remote locations in NW Western Australia.

Deanna McGowan is a Kuruma women (Pannawonica area). She was born and lived all her life in the small town of Roebourne in the Pilbara, and a mother to four children. Deanna has worked in the Family and Domestic Violence sector for over 17 years. Fourteen of these managing the Roebourne Women’s Refuge. Deanna has experience as a founding director for her language groups’ Native Title Trust Fund and Incorporated body as well as in heritage, business development and government. Anne Mead has worked in Education as a teacher, school psychologist, student services manager, and school principal (Roebourne 4 years). During that time Anne developed a strong interest in cross cultural communication and working ‘two way’. Anne currently works as a family counsellor at Yaandina Community Services and with the Roebourne Strong Women’s group.

Abby Phillis is the Chief Operating Officer of Garlbagu, the social enterprise arm of the Ngarluma Yinjibarndi Foundation and the Project Lead for Foundation Food.

Abby has had a varied career in policy development and program delivery at a State and Federal level and managed programs in housing and homelessness, prisoner re-entry, mental health and emergency relief as well as worked in the Native Title space for the Kimberley Land Council and Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation.

She has been in Karratha for three and a half years, fallen in love with the Pilbara and has no intentions of going anywhere any time soon!

Dr Kate Riddell is a Principal Strategy Officer, Strategy and Partnerships, at the Department of Communities. Kate has 20 years’ experience leading research and policy development including her PhD, and with the Centre for Muslim States and Societies (UWA), Telethon Kids Institute and the State Government. Kate’s areas of interest and expertise include social inclusion and exclusion, international population politics, Aboriginal health and wellbeing, the social determinants of health and wellbeing, cultural competency and safety, multicultural interests, service design, and the carers, grandcarers, volunteering, seniors, women, youth and elder abuse portfolios.

Interim Project Director, Early Years Initiative

Robyn has worked for over 12 years in community based not-for-profit organisations. Her experience includes aged care programs, parenting advice and support programs, offender reintegration, school students and youth at risk transition strategies. For the past 5 years Robyn has been working for NOFASD Australia providing help and support to parents, carers, service providers, health professionals, justice workers, families and individuals living with FASD. She has presented at conferences on FASD in Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide and provides workshops for parents, carers, service providers teachers and justice officers around Australia

Keira Gentle is a proud Noongar woman and mother of a beautiful daughter. She is currently studying fashion and design as a full time student but regularly finds time to be a strong lived experience advocate to several organizations and causes.

Keira has been working alongside 100 Families WA as an advisor for over two years and features in the successful ‘Speaking from Experience’ YouTube video series. She also has volunteered with Cyrenian house and the Mental health commission who have drawn upon her lived experience to inform policies and practices.

Keira is passionate about empowering others who are experiencing crisis and disadvantage. She is also passionate about her family, her culture and fashion.

A tertiary qualified counsellor with extensive experience working with men, violence, trauma and homelessness. Currently the Principal Practice Lead ensuring the quality of all services at Uniting WA. Jennifer is passionate about supporting people to make their own choices and enabling them to live their best lives. The 100 Families Project has been an exciting opportunity for the community services sector, government and non-government, to hear what works and what doesn’t, directly from the people for whom we exist. This research will be invaluable in informing the way we work into the future.

Dr Susan Young is Director of the Social Policy Practice and Research Consortium (SPPRC), jointly located in the Schools of Population and Global Health and Allied Health at UWA. The Consortium undertakes research and policy projects concerned with the health and wellbeing of families, children and communities, of which the 100 Families WA is a major collaborative project. She is a social work educator in the Division of Social Work and Social Policy (SPSW), specialising in collaborative practice; research and practice supervisor; and researcher with over 30 years’ experience in working with issues of vulnerability and marginalisation.

Policy and Portfolio Manager at Minderoo Foundation

Principal Project Consultant Department of Education

Program Manager, WA Country Health Services

Tammy Prior is responsible for Community Engagement at the Minderoo Foundation

Rhiannon currently works in the Office of Senator Jordon Steele-John as his social media manager. In her free time she volunteers with the Youth Disability Advocacy Network, where she has been the Deputy Chair since late last year. Rhiannon has been involved in research projects with Curtin University centred around social representation and attitudes towards disability since 2018, and places her own lived experience of disability and the heart of her research and advocacy. 

Ezra is a Nyoongar, English and Irish man with connections to the Whadjuk, Yued, Ballardong and Wagyl Kaip sub-clans of the Nyoongar nation. Ezra is a Board Member of Reconciliation WA and currently employed as Policy Officer at the Aboriginal Policy and Coordination Unit within Department of Premier and Cabinet. Ezra is especially passionate about Wadjemup/Rottnest Islands’ Aboriginal heritage.

Dylan hosted The Edge, a weekly regional current affairs radio program which was broadcast throughout the North-West of Australia and into Melbourne for two years. I have also written for The Guardian and the Foundation for Young Australians, worked with the ABC, UN Youth Australia and appeared on ABC’s Q&A program. I advocated for and gave evidence before the Commonwealth Parliament to extend voting rights to Australians who are 16 and 17 years-old. Dylan is passionate about building a better future young people of today. Dylan is a nominee for 2021 Young Australian.

Bella is a climate activist fighting for climate and social justice. She is the author and presenter of the book Bella’s Challenge, a kid’s take on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. In 2018, Bella won the WA Youth Award for Sustainable Futures and was named Conservation Council of WA’s Young Environmentalist of the Year. You might recognise Bella, as one of the leaders in the pivotal student strikes for action on climate change.

Charlotte is Youth Engagement Officer at the Youth Affairs Council of WA. Charlotte has sat on the United Nations Expert Panel supporting the World Youth report, where the focus was on improving Youth Wellbeing and Mental health. Previously she has worked at Headspace and Department of Communities. Charlotte is also a member of the WA Ministerial Youth Advisory Council and a relatively new advocacy group called the Youth Pride Network made up of LGBTQIA+ people aged 12-25 who have a passion for making WA a better place to be out and proud.