Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Leadership

Louarna Waters, Family & Disability Services

Proud Gamilaroi yinarr (woman), Louarna Waters exemplifies cultural leadership through her role as Outreach Support Worker in Out of Home Care. Guided by self-determination and cultural integrity, Lou brings heart, wisdom and unwavering commitment to supporting First Nations children, families and communities.

Lou ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are central to decision-making, empowering families to lead their own healing journeys. She is a valued member of the Coolamon Group, where she contributes cultural insight and strategic thinking to shape culturally safe practices and improve outcomes for First Nations clients and communities.

Her leadership extends beyond her immediate role. Lou has led cultural ceremonies in her workplace, including Acknowledgement of Country and traditional smoking ceremonies alongside her family—creating moments of cultural grounding that support healing and renewal.

Lou leads with humility, strength and care. Her inclusive and relational style creates safe spaces for learning and growth, inspiring others to stand strong in their cultural identity. Through her leadership and mentorship, she is helping UnitingCare harness its scale to better serve First Nations communities and invest in First Nations leadership pathways.

Lisa Roff, Family & Disability Services

Lisa Roff is a proud First Nations woman whose leadership is grounded in cultural strength, deep respect and a strong commitment to reconciliation. She champions self-determination by ensuring First Nations voices shape decisions and services across UnitingCare.

As a member of the Coolamon Group and the First Nations Advisory Panel, Lisa contributes strategic insight and lived experience to embed cultural knowledge into practice and support culturally safe service delivery. She mentors colleagues, fosters allyship and encourages inclusive leadership across teams and communities.

Lisa has harnessed UnitingCare’s reach to create meaningful impact by enhancing partnerships with Indigenous organisations and ensuring services are culturally responsive and community-connected. She also promotes engagement with First Nations businesses, enriching the communities we serve by strengthening trust, improving outcomes and deepening cultural understanding.

Lisa holds space with compassion and pride, inspiring others to lead with authenticity and cultural integrity. Her leadership is shaping the future of First Nations representation and reconciliation at UnitingCare.

Renee Harrigan, Aged Care and Community Services

Renee Harrigan is a proud Kunjen woman whose leadership journey reflects resilience, cultural strength and a deep commitment to community empowerment. Since joining Cape York Family Centre in 2014 as a part-time Administration Officer, Renee has steadily progressed to her current role as Residential Service Manager.

Grounded in self-determination, Renee draws on her strong cultural and family connections across the Cape to support clients from remote communities. Her lived experience and cultural knowledge enable her to advocate for client-led healing journeys, ensuring services are responsive and respectful.

Renee has embedded cultural knowledge into CYFC’s therapeutic model, shaped by her training in cultural safety and intergenerational trauma. Her leadership ensures reconciliation is a lived practice, not just a value.

She mentors Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, fosters allyship, and promotes cultural learning across the organisation. Her collaborative and inclusive leadership style has earned her trust and respect within CYFC, Pinangba and the wider UnitingCare community.

Renee has strengthened partnerships with remote Cape communities, enhancing trust and accessibility for clients navigating complex healing journeys. By supporting culturally significant events and encouraging staff development, she is building a workforce that is both skilled and culturally grounded.

Her story reflects the very heart of UnitingCare’s reconciliation values: empowering First Nations leadership, embedding cultural knowledge and walking together toward healing and justice.  

Healthy Communities

Shalom Elders Village Team, Aged Care & Community Services (BlueCare)

Shalom Elders Village (SEV), part of the Pinangba family, is a vibrant and culturally rich community where Elders are honoured, stories are shared and connections are nurtured across generations. SEV exemplifies what it means to walk together in reconciliation.

Through intergenerational programs like the GIYU initiative with Kirwan High School, SEV fosters meaningful relationships between young people and Elders, strengthening cultural identity and mutual respect. Community engagement is central to SEV’s approach, with regular cultural events, family activities and inclusive celebrations that keep Elders connected to the people and places that matter most.

The team’s commitment to culturally safe care is reflected in their completion of Culturally Informed Trauma Awareness training, empowering staff to support residents with compassion and cultural sensitivity. Elders are placed at the heart of decision-making, ensuring services are guided by cultural identity and autonomy.

SEV’s activities program affirms dignity and choice, while its inclusive approach creates a ripple effect of understanding and respect across the broader community. By promoting health, wellbeing and cultural connection, SEV contributes directly to Closing the Gap targets and strengthens the future of First Nations aged care.

Shalom Elders Village is a place where culture is celebrated, community thrives and reconciliation is lived every day.

Charlene Mann, Family & Disability Services

Charlene Mann is a proud Darumbal woman whose lifelong commitment to caring for First Nations children and young people has made a profound impact across UnitingCare. Based in Rockhampton, Char brings cultural strength, compassion and determination to her work, particularly through the Finding Kin pilot program.

Since joining the program in 2023, Char has facilitated over 85 kinship connections for children in out-of-home care—reuniting families and restoring cultural ties. A beautiful example of her work is the reconnection of a young man in residential care with his sister, who believed he had been adopted out at birth. Char’s persistence and advocacy led to their reunion,  creating a powerful moment of healing and renewed hope.

Char’s leadership extends beyond casework. She actively contributes to cultural events like “Caring for Jarjums Day,” mentors staff, and participates in the Coolamon Group and Dreamline Leaders growth program. Her influence has transformed the Rockhampton office’s approach to cultural safety, growing participation in NAIDOC Week and positioning UnitingCare as a platinum sponsor.

Lifeline Queensland Call Coaching Team, Family & Disability Services

The Lifeline Queensland Call Coaching Team plays a vital role in ensuring crisis support services are culturally safe, respectful and empowering for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Their work with 13YARN reflects a deep commitment to reconciliation and culturally responsive care.

Through tailored coaching, the team equips Crisis Supporters with the skills to understand and respond to the unique communication styles, cultural contexts and lived experiences of First Nations help-seekers. Aided by the guidance of Aunty Bev Muckan, they have embedded cultural sensitivity into Lifeline’s core practices, helping close the gap in mental health support.

Their coaching goes beyond technical feedback - it fosters trust, promotes self-determination and ensures every interaction honours cultural identity. The team actively collaborates with Elders and cultural leaders to enrich their approach, demonstrating humility and respect in all they do.

By refining support practices and advocating for Indigenous perspectives in mental health, the Call Coaching Team contributes directly to Closing the Gap targets. Their work is improving help-seeking experiences and outcomes for First Nations callers across Queensland.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Leadership

IEI Traineeship with Kabi Kabi Program, Aged Care and Communiy Services

The partnership between UnitingCare’s RAP team, The Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation and the Property, Facilities, and Maintenance team, which has unfolded over the past 24 months to bring to life the Kabi Kabi Aboriginal Peoples Corporation Traineeship Partnership Program.

Guided by the leadership of Mick Pratt and John Coppola, with on-site supervision from Ken Fairweather and Peter Davies, partnered with continual holistic support from the RAP Team this transformative program empowers trainees with essential skills, qualifications, and invaluable experience to advance their careers.

As at February 2024, four dedicated trainees—Noah Marks, Graham Geymore, James Stanley, and Cecil Fisher are successfully working towards their Certificate III in Horticulture and are making a significant impact at Pinangba Ny-Ku Byun Elders Village, Murgon Community Centre and BlueCare Kingaroy.

The trainees are committed to nurturing healthy relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, promoting cultural respect and self-determination, and actively contributing to achieving our organisations RAP Action Items . Their connection and relationships with local Elders have been instrumental in tailoring services to meet the unique needs of residents and the wider community.

This initiative exemplifies the strength of inclusive and respectful leadership, the importance of fostering allyship, and the power of leveraging our organisational capabilities to enrich the communities we serve.

Renee Harrigan, Aged Care and Community Services

Beginning her journey with Pinangba’s Cape York Family Centre as an Administration Officer in 2014, Renee Harrigan has been dedicated to continuous learning and education, with a commitment to excellence. This saw her rising through the ranks, becoming Residential Service Manager in May 2023.

Renee embodies the qualities of a true leader. Her integrity, perseverance, and high standards inspire all who work with her. The service and team thrive under her leadership.  Under Renee’s direction CYFC now has improved health processes, increased efficiency, and enhanced team collaboration, with her innovative thinking enabling us to meet our goals and accreditation requirements.

A proud First Nations woman, Renee is committed to supporting the team to apply a cultural lens to all aspects of service provision and clinical work, alongside leading cultural events and mentoring other First Nations employees to reach their potential.  A role model for both the Pinangba family and the wider community, Renee is a true inspiration.

Healthy Communities

Aunty Beverley Muckan, Family and Disability Services

Working tirelessly for 13YARN, Aunty Beverley Muckan is committed to fostering healthy relationships between our organisation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Community and Culture. 

Aunty Bev's lived experiences and passion drives us all to collaborate to strive for better life outcomes for First Nation's peoples.

She engages on a personal and business level, always going above and beyond to share knowledge on culture, lore, practices, and ways of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Her self-determination and pride as an Aboriginal Elder around what has been overcome is testament to her strengths, courage, and wisdom.   

In the spirit of reconciliation Aunty Bev strives for equality and equity in the delivery of 13YARN, clearly showing a direct contribution to the national Closing the Gap targets via suicide prevention and better life outcomes for First Nations Peoples.

 Aunty Bev is positively engaged, serving as a true inspiration.

Eddie Longford, Aged Care and Community Services

A valued member of our Pinangba team, Eddie Longford - a proud Wiradjuri man and Aboriginal artist - is deeply passionate about advancing self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

He has been the driving force behind the Pinangba Cultural Governance Model and Framework which includes facilitating the establishment of Community Reference Groups across all Pinangba services, ensuring a strong, ongoing dialogue with staff and community members. This resulted in robust community engagement, with valuable feedback and guidance on service delivery, fostering both trust and collaboration.

Eddie has taken ownership of the journey towards reconciliation, actively working to empower communities and support their aspirations.

His work directly contributes to national Closing the Gap targets by delivering services and programs that address disparities and promote equality and equity. Through Eddie's initiatives, Pinangba has seen measurable improvements in health and social outcomes.

Eddie’s exemplary leadership has had a profound and lasting impact on the communities served by Pinangba.

St Stephen’s Hospital Executive Team, Hospitals

The team - Manager of Mission and Pastoral Care, Rev Keren Seto; General Manager, Peter Wood; and Director of Clinical Services, Kathleen Thorpe – is committed to building connections, relationships and promoting self-determination.

Rev Keren Seto created and led the ‘Walking Together’ project to establish a strong and meaningful relationship between the hospital and local Aboriginal health workers, and the local Butchulla community, ensuring services are tailored to meet community needs.

Peter and Kathleen’s initiative - an agreement that public patients from Hervey Bay Hospital can access healthcare provided by St Stephen's Hospital - addresses key health disparities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

By focusing on preventative care, improving access to essential services, and addressing social determinants of health, the team has made significant strides towards closing the health gap.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Leadership

Nikki Burns, Corporate Services

Nikki Burns works tirelessly behind the scenes, forging connections between UCQ and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups, during a landmark year for Indigenous Australian rights.

On numerous occasions Nikki has challenged herself to speak up and be a voice of influence, playing a pivotal role in ensuring all UnitingCare employees have opportunities to support and celebrate NAIDOC week and our First Nations peoples.

“Nikki has always been such a positive member of our UnitingCare community, and this has been strengthened this year as she has taken on more front facing leadership and advocacy.”

Kym Korbe, Corporate Services

Kym Korbe is a Koa and Kuku Yalanji woman with connection to Wakka Wakka Country, specifically Cherbourg, a Community that UnitingCare serves.  She is a dedicated and devoted First Nations leader who is unafraid to stand strong for her people and all Community. 

“Kym is tireless in ensuring culturally-appropriate ways of knowing, doing and being; and honours First Nations Elders above all.”

In a landmark year for Indigenous rights, Kym has fostered an environment where self-education conincides with guided discussions, story-telling and community events.  Kym consistently recognises and embodies UnitingCare's reconciliation value of self-determination for the First Nations peoples we serve and also our First Nations workforce.  She is dedicated to the empowerment and leadership pathways of First Nations employees within UnitingCare.  

Healthy Communities

Cape York Family Centre, Aged Care and Community Services

The Cape York Family Centre (CYFC) was purpose-built to deliver residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation services to families. The model utilises a modified systemic family therapy framework to provide an opportunity for a family to identify the addiction and its effects on the family unit, rather than isolating the addiction to an individual family member.

The service considers all family systems and subsystems impacted from the addiction and previous trauma; and works holistically with the family to prevent future use and repair relationships to support the ongoing recovery journey.

The CYFC is the only residential drug and alcohol service in Queensland to utilise the application of systemic family therapy within a drug and alcohol residential setting, inclusive of the family unit.

Community connections are paramount for CYFC: attending local interagency meetings to remain informed on local services and resources; working closely with the Department of Child Safety to keep children unified with their parents; regular meetings with local Traditional Owners, fostering an open and transparent relationship, and seeking feedback and input into the cultural program. CYFC are committed to enhancing employment opportunities for local Indigenous peoples, with approximately 60% of staff identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and two employees identifying as local Traditional Owners.

Cherbourg Safe House, Family and Disability Services

The Cherbourg Women's DV Safe House team work closely with Elders and the Justice Group to structure their program and build community recognition.

The service has built relationships with Cherbourg Aboriginal Council, DATSIPP, DJAG and other Cherbourg community services, to allow for Integrated Service Responses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island women and children.

In addition to running the DV Prevention March and Candle Lighting Ceremony, the team has organised social events, bringing bring children, women and men together to yarn about healthy relationships, respect and the importance of families. The team work long hours to make these events successful, distracting from drug and alcohol missuse and promoting physical and mental wellbeing.

Another organisation brings their ‘Granny’ group to the service, encouraging knowledge sharing and healing: “Many of the Grannies that attend have been through the cycle of violence themselves, and are raising their grandchildren due to domestic violence happening in the family home. The process is building the women's strength in self-determining what happens in their own homes and family.”

The team also supports women and children's football teams to attend Queensland Murri Carnival; opening the opportunity for powerful conversations with young adults around respect and healthy relationships. “The more information that is given to the young people, the more knowledge they have in making self-determined choices in friendships and relationships.”

The team work towards Reconciliation each and every day, working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients.

Ny-Ku Byun Elders Village, Aged Care and Community Services

Ny-ku Byun Elders Village (NKBEV) is a Pinangba service based in Cherbourg on Wakka Wakka Country. The local council motto ‘Many Tribes, One Community’, is seen every day at NKBEV.

Elders often do not want to leave their homelands and to have a service that is still in their community amongst their families, culture and connections is a priority.

Elders are front and centre of everything the team does at NKBEV; when Cherbourg was severly impacted by floooding in 2022, staff came together for ‘an extended slumber party’, staying with the Elders for five days straight on a 24-hour rotating roster.

NKBEV arrange daily activities suggested by Elders, with a commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custom and lore, enabling culture in care.

A safe cultural space has been created for Elders, through a commitment to employing First Nations peoples from the local community. The Service Manager is a Wakka Wakka man and more than 50% of NKBEV staff identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

NKBEV is well-known in the community and has strong partnerships with local community services including Cherbourg State School, CRAICCHS, Gundoo Daycare, local police, TAFE, Clontarf, Cherbourg Council and the Darling Down Health Service.

110-year-old Nan Eva said Ny-ku Byun Elders Village is her home away from home.

"I feel surrounded by love and support from within the community. I have everything I need here, and I couldn’t ask for anything more. We are like a big family and even though many people know that I come from out West, I feel like I belong here. I feel like I am respected here and so is my culture. I feel safe to voice my opinions at our resident meetings and I feel like I am heard.”