Participant Bio

							   DIPLOMACY TRAINING
PROGRAM
        AFFILIATED WITH THE FACULTY OF LAW UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES
        A training program for peoples of the Asia-Pacific region


                         PARTICIPANT Biographies

    “A Capacity Building Program for Young Indigenous
                   Australian Advocates”
 Organised by the Diplomacy training Program in partnership
    with Oxfam Australia’s Indigenous Australia Program
                             11-15 February 2008
                              Sydney, Australia


Sherry-Ann Toomey
I am Wiradjuri woman from Wellington NSW, I am 22 years old. I have grown
up in Western Sydney for the majority of my life.

Having completed my HSC I decided to further my studies and completed a
Diploma of Aboriginal Studies. After completing my diploma I worked part
time for a community organization Junaya for Families, the organization
worked with families to provide support with strategies for families to provide a
happy, healthy environment for children to grow in.

I am a currently participating in the Indigenous Australian Contract
Management Development Programme as a Trainee Contract Manager for
the Department of Education and Employment and Workplace Relations.

I would like to gain from attending the DTP a broader understanding of
human rights on an International and National level in today’s society and
learn of others experiences with human rights and advocacy and lobbying.

Renee Williamson
I am a Murri woman from the nation groups of North West Queensland. I am
currently working as the Aboriginal Legal Access Program (ALAP) Coordinator
at the Combined Community Legal Centre’s Group (NSW). I have recently
been elected as the chairperson of the NSW Reconciliation Council, prior to
this I was the Deputy Chairperson of the NSWRC.

I have a keen interest and high level of participation in work concerning
Indigenous social justice. I also have a strong interest and participation in the
arts, Indigenous contemporary music, Community Cultural Development and
‘creative action for social change’.

In 2008 I will be returning to university to study a combined Bachelor of Laws/
Bachelor of Communications (Social Inquiry). I have a strong history of
employment with NGO’s including NSW Reconciliation Council (A/Executive
Officer, Project Officer), Arilla Paper (Temp Project Officer/Consultant), Music
NSW (Indigenous Music Officer), and National Indigenous Youth Movement of
Australia (National Coordinator) and various tertiary student associations and
unions. I also have a strong history of volunteer work including
ReconciliACTION Youth Network (Former Indigenous Co-Convenor) and
Oxfam International Youth Parliament 2004 (Member Indigenous Reference
Group, Facilitator, Volunteer).

Roxanne Highfold
I was born in South Australia and I have lived In the Northern Territory most of
my life. Before moving to Darwin, I lived in Central Australia (Alice Springs). My
Family came to live in Darwin several years ago to carryout a more fulfilling
and better life in the Top End. I currently work as an Early Childhood
Educator/Field Officer at Regional and Remote Aboriginal Children Service
Support Unit (RRACSSU) at Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education.
RRACSSU is only one of the units that recognize themselves as a National
Indigenous Professional Support Unit, which provides support and training to
Indigenous Remote Communities Children Services within the Northern
Territory and Australia.

I have always been involved with youth, children and their families through
community projects, forums, programs, and previous employment. Recently I
have been invited to get involved with SNAICC as an invited Executive
Member to sit in on the SNAICC Exec Board, to discuss current national issues
effecting Indigenous children and their families. I’m currently involved in
various local youth and indigenous support programs within the Northern
Territory and I would like to further knowledge so I can get involved on a
national level as well as a local level. Working with Children and their families,
I believe that every person and child has a right to feel safe, loved, and
respected no matter who you are and where you come from.

John Leha
My people come from Cherbourg Queensland. I have lived in Sydney all my
life. My father’s families are from Tonga in the south pacific. I went to school in
the inner west of Sydney attempted University in Canberra and NSW.

I am currently working for the Department of Education, Employment and
work place Relations as an Indigenous contract manager. I have been in this
current position for about a year and a half. I am now part of a committee
looking to improve the employment rate for Aboriginal people.

Kraig Hixon
I grew up in a small old town called Mount Morgan in Central Queensland. I
decided to leave high school after Year 11 and went straight into the
workforce at my Aunt’s café. Then I came to Alice Springs and worked as an
Administration Officer at an aged care facility and at night I cleaned dishes
at a colleague’s restaurant. I went back to Queensland and worked at my
old high school as a Teacher’s Aid and also did some Youth Support work in
the community.
Now I’m back in Alice, I have a great job working at the Remote Employment
Consultancy and have a positive future. Working at the Remote Employment
Consultancy has given me a unique opportunity to see some of the wildest
places in the country. The ITEC Remote team is dedicated to achieving
positive outcomes in remote Aboriginal communities.



Danielle King
My name is Danielle King, I am 21 years old and I come from Mount Isa, which
is in North West Queensland. I am currently undergoing a traineeship in
administration at an organization called job futures Isa skills, which is an
employment service.

I strongly believe that the law and rights of individuals is an important part of
the Australian society, and all citizens should abide by the law and treat every
human being with respect and dignity.

This is a Great opportunity to extend my skills, to help me reach my goal in
becoming a representative of the law to help and protect my people. I am
hoping to gain knowledge and learn a lot from this program, as in the future I
would like to study in different areas and ways to learn a variety of talents I
like to think that is going to help in future.

Hannah Nancarrow
Hi! I was born in Perth WA, yes I am a Noongar. I grew up in Kununurra
(Kimberley’s) and loved it! I moved to Perth to complete high school and
then went onto university and studied Occupational Therapy. I married in
2003 at 20 years of age! Then we moved to Sydney and now we have been
here for 3 years. I am currently working in a project in Indigenous Health
Promotion at the University of Sydney where I am also currently studying for
my Masters of Public Health.

I love sport, I do a lot of exercise, go to church regularly and pretty much just
love hanging out with friends- nothing too crazy! I have come to the
Diplomacy Training because my passion is to work at improving the health
situation of Indigenous people of Australia, but I would love to work in a
position that supported all indigenous peoples. I have a strong sense of social
justice and I just want to learn more about how to best spend my efforts and
time.

Kirstan Dowling
My name is Kirstan Dowling I am 20 years old and was born in Alice Springs
but grew up in Darwin then moved back to Alice. I am the eldest out of eight
children, being the eldest out of eight I have always tried to set a good
example for my younger siblings and cousins. I graduated year 10 at Alice
Springs High School, then went straight into the workforce with a 4 year
Traineeship in Business Administration Cert II which I completed in 2 years.

I have always been a quick learner and am always eager and willing to learn
more and more. I would describe myself as a team player, shy and quite but
at the same time outgoing, very creative and imaginative; I am easily bored
so I try to be busy all the time. I interact in sports I play for a local Basketball
club in Alice. Currently I am a quarter of the way through my 18 month
Apprenticeship as an Aboriginal Health Worker Cert IV at Central Australian
Aboriginal Congress. CAAC runs health and well being clinics and programs
for Indigenous Australians in central and remote areas of the country.
Programs are run in range of areas from childcare to male health.

Lineesha Johnson
Hi All, my name is Lineesha Johnson I am of Aboriginal (Gooreng Gooreng)
Torres Strait (Mer Island) South Sea Islander (Tanner Island) decent.

I am currently working at Bidgerdii Community Health Service as a
Bookkeeper. I enjoy cooking; shopping & spending time with family & friends I
believe that laughter is the best medicine.

Katrina Mckechnie
Hello!!! My name is Katrina Mckechnie. I am 20 years old. I am both Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander. I love Netball, Rugby League and Tennis. I'm
currently studying a bachelor of Social Science, majoring in Alcohol & Other
Drug Studies.

Once I complete my degree I would like to work with Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander youth in the education department as an Alcohol and other
drug councillor or with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in juvenile
detention as a drug and rehabilitation councillor. I think it's pretty obvious that
I am passionate about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth...

Aaron Matthews
In July 2007 I commenced as the Mount Isa Safe Communities Coordinator
with James Cook University. My role is to assist the Mount Isa Safe Community
Project Advisory Team to achieve World Health Organisation Safe
Communities accreditation through supporting the planning, implementation
and evaluation of injury prevention and safety promotion initiatives. My role
involves building, strengthening and maintaining partnerships with
Government and non-government agencies, the local community, health
services, the private sector and other Queensland Safe Communities, in
relation to injury prevention initiatives.

Prior to commencing work with MICCRH, I undertook a three month contract
with Oxfam Australia as the Special Event Coordinator for the 40th anniversary
of the 1967 Referendum. I was employed as a Project Officer with Mount Isa
Youth Pathways Program for 12 months which involved designing and
implementing projects for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school
students. I worked for Kalkadoon Aboriginal Sobriety House as Administration
Officer for about 14 months while also completing my final year of my
Bachelor of Applied Science in Indigenous Community Management and
Development. Prior to this I worked in various administration and financial
management roles while also studying by correspondence and completing a
certificate in Business Administration.
Kyla Flick
My name is Kyla Flick and I’m from the Gamiloroi tribe in Western New South
Wales. I’m a very happy and easygoing person. I stand up for what I believe
in and I’m outspoken. I dropped out of school in Yr 11. I’m now back at
school doing my HSC. I play lots of Netball and have represented at State
Level. I’ve also played in the Far West Academy Squad at the Academy
games. When I’ve finished school I plan to become something big. My main
goal in life at the moment is to better the Indigenous population in both areas
of Health and Education.

From attending this program I hope to come out of it with a better
understanding of Human Rights and how they affect Indigenous people. I
hope that what I learn will benefit me later in life when I’m out educating the
next generation.

Wesley Stubbings
I am 22 yrs old; I was born & raised in Townsville. I am the second eldest
having 2 brothers, I have other brothers & sisters from my father’s side he had
to another woman before I was born. I identify as Aboriginal from my father
who was born in Katoomba Blue Mountains, NSW. In our family we have very
important heritage, as we are decedents of Yarramundi who was part of the
naming of Australia Day. My grandfather Pastor Cooper was the founder of
NAIDOC week. We have a large highway bridge named after my Aunty
Dawn & my grandmother was recognized by the queen with an honouree
medal. My father was part of the stolen generation; we now have our own
land named a sacred site which no building is allowed down in the
Katoomba Gully.

I am a youth worker for the region of Townsville, Ayr, Charters Towers, and
Palm Island. I do mentoring programs for disengaged youth who need
motivation & inspiration to succeed in life. I am a youth Pastor of a local
Church called; International indigenous flame Ministries (AOG) I am also a
musician & a keen sportsman.

Neri Winton
I am a Gurindji and Djaru women from the Kimberley region. I work for the
Kimberley College of TAFE in Halls Creek as the Aboriginal Liaison Officer.

I constantly travel to remote communities in the Shire, to set up appropriate
courses for the people. My community Halls Creek is a dry, dusty, remote part
of the country with a high population of Aboriginal people. I would like to see
more young Aboriginal people being involved in the community and be part
of the decision making process.

The young people today have lost their identity and I hope to be a positive
role model for the young kids. I would like to gain basic knowledge of human
rights and pass it onto my community so that my people can have
confidence to challenge conversations.

Rebecca Richards
I have just completed a three month summer internship at the National
Museum of Australia in the Indigenous Programs Unit. I was working in their
Indigenous repatriation services and organizing and delivering their
Indigenous Australia Day Celebrations.

I am currently completing a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Psychology and
Anthropology) at the University of Adelaide. I am involved in Oxfam because I
wish to speak out for the rights of Indigenous people in psychiatric care
around Australia.

Lluwannee George
My name is Lluwannee George; I am 23 years old and currently living and
working in Sydney. My heritage hails from Darnley Island (Erub) in the Torres
Strait and from Ghana in West Africa.

I am currently enrolled at UNSW in a Masters in International law and
International Relations.

I love my communities; Indigenous, spiritual, social and political and I am
passionate about learning and promoting Indigenous rights and human rights.
Most of all I love learning from other people, about their experiences, wisdom,
knowledge, concerns and achievements they have accomplished. I am a
big believer in sharing knowledge and wisdom for not only personal growth
but for communal and societal growth & healing as well.


Zanniece Bickey
My name is Zanniece Bickey. I am an Australian South Sea Islander. I
currently work as a Family Support Worker and Youth Worker in my community
Bowen. I hope to utilize what I learn from this training program to improve the
service that I provide and help the other employees that I work with improve
their service provision as well.

I work for Girudala community Cooperative Society Ltd, a not-for-profit
organisation. It is mainly a housing organisation with several other disciplines
working out of the cooperative. Girudala has a Youth Health Promotions
Officer, Sport & Recreation Officer, Nutrition Promotion Officer, a Housing
Officer, ATODS Prevention Officer and the Administrator of Girudala
Community Cooperative. We are all dedicated to educating the community
about the services that are out there in the community and the services that
can help people improve their life styles.

I am interested in helping the youth of my community better their lives. They
have the natural talent to do basically anything that they put their minds to. I
feel that they just need the support for them to achieve.

Peter Nathan
I am a descendent of the Lardil tribe of Mornington Island and the Pitta Pitta
tribe of North-West Queensland. My family has both lived on Mornington
Island and in Mount Isa, sharing our time with both my mother’s and father’s
families. This kept my siblings and I grounded by maintaining both our
traditional knowledge and family connections.

I have taken part in many youth initiatives whilst I was in high school that
promoted leadership, education and success. In turn I utilized these skills in my
daily life. My role currently is working for the Department of Child Safety as a
Child Safety Support Officer. I am based on Mornington Island and work
intensively with families towards preventing removals and maintaining family
structure.

I have a passion for helping my people and advocating for equality in the
modern Australian society for Indigenous people. My dream is to one day
head a program that will teach Indigenous youth the skills to properly lead in
their communities, whilst remaining grounded in their cultural and familial
structures.


Hayley Pigram
I am currently a student at Sydney University studying a Bachelor of
Arts. I love this degree because it allows me to follow my interests and
also have time to have a great job. I began working for the Public
Health department at Sydney Uni 6 months ago. I have a range of
responsibilities focusing around Indigenous Public Health. This includes
website work as well as research and development.

Personally I am passionate about youth and homosexual issues. I
volunteer with ACON (Aids Council of NSW) and Girl Guides Australia,
as well as a number of other organizations. In attending the program I
hope to gain a better understanding of large organizations, their
responsibilities and how I can negotiate with them to further the growth
of the Indigenous community.


Ian Waina
I am a 20 year old full blood Indigenous Australian from a very remote
Aboriginal Community in the north of the Kimberley in West Australia. I am 1 of
7 children, I am the 3rd youngest and we all grew up in Kalumburu. I went to
Primary school in Kalumburu; I did some of my secondary schooling in Darwin-
Northern Territory, Esperence- Southern West Australia and Monivae in
Western Victoria.

I am just about to start a University degree at Lismore Uni in NSW, which is a
very big step for me; if I graduate I will be the first person from my community
with a university degree. I went to the Pope’s World Youth Conference in
Germany in 2005.
I have been running sport and recreation activities in my community so that
young people have something to do and can enjoy some of the activities
that people do elsewhere. I have been trying to teach the young people
how to hunt for bush tucker, such as goanna, turkey and fish so they can
experience a better life and care for themselves.
I also take tourists to see our rock art and tell them about our culture and
history. I try to get young people in our community to be interested in our
history and culture so that they stop causing trouble and stop getting into
fights and bad ways. This is a problem in our community people sit around
and do nothing and then cause trouble.

At this program I hope to hear different people’s experiences and learn
about what other people are doing with young people in their communities. I
want to learn about human rights and how we can get people thinking of
these things in our community.

Rebecca McGrath
My name is Rebecca McGrath; I am 24 years old, and a descendant of the
Wiradjuri people from the Central West of NSW. I am one of 8 children and I
am originally from the country town of Parkes in the Central West of NSW. I
moved to Sydney in order to undertake university studies and I am currently in
my final year of a Law/ International Studies degree with a Thai major. I
recently returned from the Northeast of Thailand where I was undertaking in-
country study and research at Khon Kaen University as part of my
International Studies degree.

I am employed as a casual Paralegal at law firm Allens Arthur Robinson in
Sydney and I am currently undertaking an internship with the Aurora project
at Ntscorp, formerly Native Title Service Corporation at Redfern in Sydney.

I am passionate about achieving social justice; this includes Human Rights
issues especially regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, other
Indigenous people of the world and Children and Young People.

I love spending time with my family in the country, waterskiing and going to
the beach with my dogs, Honey and Rusty. I have also recently become
interested in soccer and I am a proud Central Coast Mariners supporter.

Latoya Smith
My name is Latoya Smith. I was born in Rockhampton and have lived there for
most of my life. I am of Aboriginal (Kaanju) and South Sea Islander (Banks
Island) decent.

I currently work full-time at Darumbal Community Youth Service Inc., as a
Physical Activity Project Officer – Indigenous Focus. I also study part-time at
Central Queensland University, studying Bachelor of Health Promotion
majoring in Indigenous Health.

I enjoy spending time with my family, going fishing and camping. I also enjoy
tracing my family history. I would like to gain a better understanding of
Human Rights issues especially pertaining to Indigenous affairs.

Jessica Bairnsfather-Scott
My name is Jessica. I am a 20-year-old student from Perth. I am currently
studying at The University of Western Australia completing a Bachelor of Arts
degree, majoring in History and Anthropology. My interests included: sports -
mainly netball and music.

I currently work and volunteer at two non-governmental organizations;
Jacaranda Aboriginal community centre and Perth Women’s Health Service
for Aboriginal grandparents and family support.

From attending the diplomacy training program session I would like to further
my knowledge and understanding on Indigenous human rights.

Minungka McInerney
My name is Minungka, said like Min-Nook-Car, but people call me “Nooks” for
short. I am a fair skin brother and have a skin name from my Anangu
Yankunytjatjara people in Central Australia!!! My Mother is of the Stolen
Generation and my deceased Nanna, was a Community or Traditional
woman from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, situated
in North West South Australia. I can only speak very-very little language of my
Nan’s language, as my Mum was stolen and my Nana didn’t have a
opportunity to pass on culture to her grandkids. My Nan could actually speak
5 fluent Aboriginal languages in the Central Australian area.

My Nan had 12 children to a White Cattle Farmer/Fencer in Central Australia
and 11 out of the 12 kids they had together, were sadly ‘removed’ by the
South Australian Government and Aboriginal Protection Board in the 1950’s
and 60’s. this has deeply sadden and affected my entire family on my
Mother’s side, we have a lot of problems and heart ache throughout my
family. My Father is of Irish Descent, White Australian.

I am on Uni Break and looking to continue doing my Cert 4, then Diploma in
Indigenous Radio Broadcasting-Journalism and Media Law, up in Darwin at
Batchelor Institute. I am a pro Aboriginal proud, have a deep understanding,
respect and a lovely rapport or a feeling of belonging to my Nana’s people
and our land. I have spent a lot of time with my community people and have
done many Native Title trips to my people’s lands. Last year I was blessed to
go back to my Mother’s birth place of Oodnadatta in central Australia and
attended our Stolen Generation family reunion. Man (!!!), it was so up lifting,
spiritual and very healing for me and miraculously I caught up with an Aunty,
who I hadn’t seen for many year’s.

I have been continuing my training and experience in radio work at a
Community Radio Station here in the ALICE called 8CCC 102.1FM (which
transmits in the Alice and also to Tennant Creek) and have done my DJ Nooks
Dogg Show for nearly 2 months now, playing party mix songs of Hip-Hop, RnB,
Rap, Reggae and Pop, including a lot of radio announcing (building a lot of
confidence in discussing Indigenous issues and sounding really deadly…

I am a very proud Aboriginal Brother and so looking forward to getting more
life experience from this deadly trip, meeting more lovely people and yeah,
getting out there, being myself and having a voice, listening to others and
sharing my thoughts, ideas and life experiences as Indigenous Descent
Australian at the meeting!!!
Chantelle McGuinness
Hi, my name is Chantelle McGuinness and I am 19 years old, I am a proud
Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta & Wiradjuri woman.

I am currently undertaking a 3 year cadetship at the Victorian Aboriginal
Health Service (VAHS) to become a fully qualified financial counsellor. I have
been employed in my position for 7 months.

I try to learn as much about my community who I have had a strong
connection with since my birth. My family is from Victoria and New South
Wales and I am the eldest girl of 9 children. I hope to finish my course to show
other young indigenous people that you can do anything if you set your mind
to it. I think attending this program will help me with my studies.

Chelsie Kum Sing
I’m from Kalgoorlie in West Oz. I have travelled around a lot. I am currently
studying broadcasting and journalism at Batchelor Institute in the NT and I
applied for the program because I wanted to learn more about human rights
issues and to find out about other opportunities of getting involved.

Nathaniel Prior
I have lived and worked on Palm Island for the past 9 years, in that time I
have achieved many things as an individual and as part of my community
and organisation. I am a founding member of the local Junior Rugby League
and have been involved in a lot of community development. I was
nominated by my community as a young leader for the community council
elections. I was successfully elected into the council receiving the second
highest number of votes.

I left Palm Island in late 2006 to further my education, I am hoping to attend
University so that I can later return to my community and make positive
changes.