Board of directors
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Nicole Casley is a proud Wardandi/Bibulman/Wadjuk/Ballardong yorga and has lived on Noongar boodjar most of her life.
Nicole is an experienced lawyer, policy advisor and director with networks across diverse sectors. She is experienced in native title, negotiation, heritage and corporation law.
Nicole is currently on the board of Anglicare WA, where she provides cultural expertise, strategic direction and governance.
Nicole is motivated by maximising outcomes for the community and building capacity and self-determination for future generations.
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Stephen van Leeuwen is a proud member of the Busselton Noongars, Harris Family and a respected South West Boojarah Wadandi man.
Stephen represented the aspirations of all South West Boojarah Noongars on the Working Party and is also a member of the South West Boojarah Charitable Trust Advisory Council.
Stephen was a member of the Noongar leadership team negotiating the Settlement and the drafting of the Indigenous Land Use Agreement.
He is passionate about Closing the Gap on Aboriginal disadvantage and achieving self-determination for all Indigenous Australians. Stephen believes that for Noongars to achieve this outcome it is critical that decisions about Noongar livelihoods, wellbeing, business and most importantly culture, heritage and boodja need to be made with or by Noongars, far too often these decisions are made without a Noongar voice.
Stephen is a botanical ecologist and is currently the Chair of Biodiversity and Environmental Science at Curtin University.
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Chontarle (also known as Chonnie), is from Wadandi Country. On her matrilineal side, she descends from strong women who are grounded in culture and self. She holds a deep respect for her Elders.
Chontarle has an extensive background in conservation and land management, heritage and education. Her ability to lead and influence in her current role with Bush Heritage Australia is evident in the healthy working relationships with Traditional Owner representative groups.
Chontarle strives to make a difference for people and Country. She believes that by working together we can create opportunities for our community. Her focus is on job creation, healthy country, and cultural programs.
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Anthony (Tony) Hansen is a Noongar Elder, father and role model.
Tony is a member of the Stolen Generations. He was forcibly removed and placed in state care in 1970, were he then spent the next fifteen years in the out of home care system; known in those days as Native Welfare.
Tony is sought after for his deep, lived understanding of the Stolen Generations. He is the current Co-Chair of Bringing Them Home WA Ltd. (BTHWA).
Tony was a founding executive member of the WA Stolen Generations Alliance which is now the well-recognised West Australian Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation (WASGAC) T/A Yokai Healing our Spirit.
He is also a founding member of Reconciliation WA and is currently on the National Stolen Generations Reference group of the Healing Foundation in Canberra.
Tony is Chair of the Carrolup Elders Reference Group, which involved representing survivors of Marribank/Carrolup Mission at an international event in New York.
He is regarded for his strong disclosure of personal experiences of surviving a stolen childhood, and of creating understandings of and a way forward through contemporary Aboriginal disadvantage.
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Ju-Lin is a lawyer and adviser with over 20 years’ experience in native title negotiations and settlement implementation, corporate governance, heritage and legislative reform. She has worked in NSW, the Northern Territory, Victoria and now resides in Perth
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Expert director
The first member-elected directors began their term at the end of the first general meeting, which was held on 2 July in Busselton and online.
Cultural Advice Committee
The female members of the cultural advice committee are: Penelope Williams (term end 2027), Suzanne Kelly and Sandra Lesley Hill (term end 2025).
The male members of the cultural advice committee are: Damien Colbung (term end 2027), David Corbett and Eric Hayward (term end 2026), and Jack Hill and William Thompson (term end 2025).