Jenene Murray is a proud Wiradjuri woman from central NSW who has lived and worked in the Mildura community, bringing over 30 years of experience in the education sector to our area.

Jenene is passionate about supporting positive change across health, education, housing, and unemployment. She has represented the Aboriginal community in the justice sector and on the local council, and she serves as Chair of the Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (LAECG) in Mildura.

Jenene is known for her warm, unwavering commitment to strengthening her community and inspiring others through her work and dedication.

Kathy Potter (née O’Donnell) is a respected and proud Barkindji community elder who brings extensive experience in education and Aboriginal community health. A lifelong resident of Mildura, Kathy is immensely proud of her three beautiful daughters and eight gorgeous grandchildren.

After retiring from the workforce in 2022, Kathy returned to Ranfurly Primary School in the role of Elder in Residence. Her return was highly requested due to her strong connections with the students and her passion for engaging with them. In this role, Kathy acts as a vital link between the community, the school council, and the principal, ensuring that community voices and opinions are both heard and valued.

Kathy has always been deeply involved in her community. She has served on the Koori Court for over nine years, been a Director for the Barkindji Native Title Group Aboriginal Corporation for nearly five years, and represented BNTGAC on the AAG Committee for the Willandra Lakes for National Parks and Wildlife for three years. Dedicated to preserving traditional language and culture, Kathy fosters pride in cultural identity and shares this rich heritage with others. Her exceptional problem-solving skills and unwavering care for the next generation make her an invaluable advocate for children and their futures.

Jemmes Handy is well known for her work in health and justice services in the Mildura region over the past 30 years, where she has helped to develop culturally appropriate policing and health services.

Jemmes has worked in the education sector on both sides of the river and has also been a volunteer on the Aboriginal Community Justice Panel. She has received numerous high-profile awards for her contribution to Indigenous communities in Victoria, including a Public Service Medal.

Aunty Stephanie Charles is a descendant from the Wemba Wemba Dja Dja Wurrung Barapa Barapa Boonwurrung Wotjobaluk. Aunty Steph has a passion for teaching language and education to the youth for many decades.

Aunty Steph has decades of experience helping her community and has sat on several boards in her time such as the LAECG- Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, Wemba Wemba Land Council NSW/ Wemba Wemba Traditional Owner/ Wemba Wemba Aboriginal Elders Council, RAJAC- Regional Aboriginal Justice Committee and is the regional representative and Swan Hill Chair of the LAJAC- Local Aboriginal Justice Committee, and Co-Chair Regional Partnerships.

Aunty Steph is a respected Elder in her community and is passionate about leading the youth and her community in the right direction.

Cleonie Quayle is a Barkindji and Ngiyampaa woman from N.S.W with links to other Aboriginal tribes in Victoria.

Born in Mildura, Ms Quayle has been working in the education sector for more than 20 years as a teacher and Aboriginal support worker, having lived both sides of the river with her extended family and finally settling in Mildura.

Her vision is that education is significant for everyone because it empowers every human being to reach their potential in their career and life aspiration. Cleonie holds two bachelor’s degrees in education and enjoys teaching the next generation of aspiring young people in our community.

Cleonie strongly believes in being respectful and kind to all and making positive change for our next generation of leaders.

Mark Morgan has significant experience in health and education, variously as an Aboriginal Health Worker, Chronic Care Co-Ordinator and at Meminar Ngangg Gimba. Mark has also worked as Practice Manager at Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative. Mark’s interest in fairer outcomes and justice for his community has seen him hold senior positions in the Magistrates Court of Victoria and the Children’s Koori Court in Mildura and has trained as a Mediator.

A long-time advocate for better outcomes and more respectful education for Indigenous students, Mark has worked as a conduit between the Education and other State departments and community, to inform input about best practice in Aboriginal education, to elevate the quality and experience of education for Koorie Learners, culminating in the Statewide “Wurreker Awards”.

Steve Portelli is a proud Aboriginal man of the Wotjobaluk tribe from the Wimmera. With over 22 years of experience working in the field of health and community services, Steve is a passionate, dedicated and ethical person who will always have the best interests of his communities at heart.

Over his career, he has worked within mainstream organisations such as The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Wimmera Health Care Group, Mildura Base Hospital (Ramsay Healthcare), Marie Stopes International, NSW Health and Sunraysia Institute of TAFE. He has also worked within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. Steve has a Diploma in Indigenous Primary Health Care, post-graduate qualifications in Indigenous Health Promotion, and a Graduate Certificate in Health (Diabetes Management & Education).

He has represented his community on many committees and Directorships at a local level and across Australia.

Perlin Simon is a dedicated and accomplished leader with over 17 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, with a focus on both Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and mainstream entities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Curtin University and a Diploma in Health Sciences, and she is a Full Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA) and the Australian HR Institute (AHRI). Perlin has also completed the rigorous AICD Company Director’s Course, equipping her with advanced governance and strategic leadership skills.

Perlin has a proven track record in community capacity-building, strategic investments, profit and loss management, and government advocacy. Her leadership has driven projects that enhance outcomes for vulnerable populations, particularly in remote areas. Notably, she co-authored a peer-reviewed article on telehealth implementation during COVID-19, reflecting her ability to drive innovation in challenging circumstances. The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, highlights her commitment to leveraging technology for improved service delivery in regional and remote communities.

A Singapore-born Peranakan Eurasian, Perlin brings a unique perspective to her work, informed by her rich cultural heritage. Outside of her professional achievements, she is passionate about creating opportunities for diverse communities and contributing to sustainable development in rural and remote areas of Australia.