I am an experienced Leader in the Department of Education (DoE) in leading, developing and managing multifaceted strategic functions, initiatives and programs that support improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, with the majority of my career in the early childhood education and care arena. Over my career I have held many roles Education focused roles including early childhood practitioner and teacher, roles at TAFE and Universities, ECEC service manager, regulator, policy and program designer and implementer.
My Aboriginal family line began with my Great-Grandmother Kathleen Claire Ryan who was born in Redfern, whose parents were from Ngunnawal Country, (Bungendore) NS, where she spent her childhood in and out of foster care, infants’ homes and orphanages. Nanna then established her life in the lands of the Gadigal people on Eora Country in inner Sydney, at the La Perouse Mission on Botany Bay, NSW.
I was born and spent my childhood in Eora, in the lands of the Dharawal people, (Sutherland Shire) NSW.
I have been privileged to spend my adulthood establishing my family and career in many special places of Australia including Perth WA, Darwin and Katherine NT, Sale, Victoria; and Ipswich and Brisbane QLD.
I continue on my personal and professional Cultural learning journey through the connections I make with Cultural mentors, friends and colleagues. I am committed to enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to be proud and strong in their Culture with strong connections to their family’s story; creating a solid sense of self and sense of belonging that builds the foundations for educational and lifelong out-comes.