Ngarabul and Dharug woman with a background in Indigenous education and community engagement. Completed Master of Education (Social Ecology) focusing on Indigenous pedagogies and transformative learning related to the Myall Creek Massacre Commemorative Memorial. Engaged in two-way learning with the Boorooberongal community, designing curriculum based on NSW Colonial Secretary records for culturally safe learning spaces. Lecturer of Indigenous Knowledges at UNE, specializing in Indigenous Voice and Treaty. Utilizes counselling skills to mentor colleagues and students. Skilled in Neurolinguistic Programming, project management, problem-solving, and collaboration. Takes a proactive approach to delivering effective solutions.
Lived experiences as a First Nations stakeholder at the local, State and Commonwealth Government policy and implementation with local First Nation communities in New South Wales.
This thesis project explores the placemaking practices of the First Peoples, specifically the Ngarabul of the Northern Tablelands in New South Wales and southeastern Queensland. Utilising a Community-Participatory Research methodology, we conduct an ethnohistorical scoping study paired with embodied-narrative interviews that deeply engage participants. Our collaboration with the respected Gerri Gerri Elders Group in Inverell, NSW, is crucial, with guidance from 14 committed Elders and mentors who offer invaluable lived experience from their homelands (Ngurra). This project stands firmly in support of the principles of self-determination and empowerment for First Peoples, amplifying the voices of the Ngarabul community. It is a powerful exploration of our profound relationship with Ngurra, viewed through our unique lens. The outcome is a comprehensive placemaking concept map that provides policymakers and developers with essential insights into the First Peoples' perspective on placemaking. This map encompasses critical elements such as bloodlines, pedagogies, decision-making processes, economic factors, and our inherent 'Place of Being.' By integrating these components, this project not only showcases the depth of Ngarabul culture but also serves as a vital framework for fostering respectful and informed engagement in future development endeavours.