Jodie recently completed her PhD at the Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW. Her research investigated the systems of thought and practice underpinning contemporary NSW child protection work with Aboriginal families; through a case study of the problematisation of intergenerational trauma in NSW child protection policy directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Prior to commencing her PhD, Jodie spent over 10 years in government and non-government youth and family services, including juvenile justice, child protection, and alternative education services. Jodie has also completed degrees in psychology, community development, and media and communications.

Dr Christine Deslandes is Senior Project Officer at the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency. Christine’s work focuses on a range of areas including building Aboriginal evidence to support program delivery and design. She is passionate about working with Community to capture what is important to them, and the benefits and importance of Aboriginal-led services.

Wendy Hermeston (PhD Law) is a Wiradjuri researcher and Senior Research Fellow at The ALIVE National Centre, University of Melbourne. Her career spans law and justice, social and emotional wellbeing, health and child and family sectors, including roles as a Link-Up (NSW) senior caseworker during and post the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families, and on ACCO and government boards. Grounded in lived-experience, her research programme prioritises First Nations-led, evidence-based solutions to longstanding community challenges in the care jurisdiction. Dr. Hermeston’s work integrates qualitative, socio-legal and community-based knowledges and methodologies to examine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child welfare and social and emotional wellbeing-related issues.

Madeline Hardess is an ally who lives on Boonwurrung Country between wetlands and the bay, an hour out of Melbourne. She invested more than a decade in oversight, analysis and evaluation of family services, and moving from an embedded evaluator in government to ACCO work life a year ago feels just right. Working alongside community, walking, listening and supporting is the best job. Over the decade Madeline has led statistical analysis for systemic inquiries at the Victorian Commission for Children and Young People including’ Always was, Always will be Koori Children’, ‘In our own words’, and ’…as a good parent would…’. Building on this early career foundation she developed as a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning specialist for family services, leading and delivering the first evaluation of Victoria’s new leaving care reform package in 2023. Currently leading the Latrobe Valley Community Data Project, a priority reform four National Agreement on Closing the Gap project at VACCA, Madeline led the finalization of the business case submitted to Treasury and advised statewide advocacy efforts for design, funding and establishment. Reflecting on the scoping effort for the Place-based partnership and Community Data Project the evaluation revealed the need for shared obligations to partners, relationship first, and the need for empathy – understanding the lens and experience of another. Madeline is keen to yarn about partnerships between Community and Government, the application of Indigenous Data Sovereignty, chickens and sailing. So come find me and say hello.

I am a proud Gomeroi yinarr, social worker, and Co-Founder of Warranggal Baawaa, with a strong passion for creating spaces where Aboriginal girls and young women feel empowered, connected, and heard. My work is grounded in culture, community, and a deep commitment to ensuring our young people are seen beyond statistics, labels, and systems.

Across my career I have worked within Social Work, Community Services, Child Protection, Family Law, Aboriginal wellbeing, and Out-of-Home Care (OOHC), supporting children, young people, and families navigating complex systems and experiences. Through this work, I have witnessed both the strengths and resilience within our communities, as well as the barriers that can impact young people’s wellbeing, identity, and sense of belonging.

My passion sits in creating opportunities that strengthen culture, confidence, leadership, and self-determination for Aboriginal girls and young women. Through Warranggal Baawaa, I work alongside young people to create culturally safe spaces that centre their voices, celebrate who they are, and remind them of the strength they already carry. I believe that meaningful change happens when young people are given the opportunity to feel connected, supported, and empowered to lead in ways that are true to themselves and their communities.

I am committed to continuing this work through advocacy, mentoring, and community-led approaches that create lasting impact for future generations.

I am a proud Gomeroi and Yuin yinarr committed to the wellbeing, empowerment, and cultural safety of Aboriginal girls and young women. Working on Darkinjung and Awabakal Country, I bring both lived experience and professional knowledge to Warranggal Baawaa, grounded in a deep responsibility to culture, kin, and community.

My professional background spans Community Services, including Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) and Targeted Early Intervention (TEI), and Aboriginal Education, where I currently work to support young people in remaining connected to culture and community. Across these spaces, I have seen firsthand the power of culturally safe, strengths-based support in the lives of Aboriginal girls and young women, and the critical importance of early, community-led intervention.

My passion is centred around strengthening identity, connection to culture, and self-determination for Aboriginal girls and young women. Through Warranggal Baawaa, I aim to provide mentoring that is strengths-based, culturally responsive, and grounded in love, leadership, and community. As I continue my studies and professional practice, I am committed to expanding this work and creating meaningful, lasting change.

Barry McGrady is a proud Gomeroi man born and raised in Moree and Toomelah and moved to a boarding school at St Joseph’s College in Sydney to purse an higher education attainment. He has worker as the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer with the Department of Education for 3 years then worked at behaviour school settings with Bridge Rd School to transition kids back to mainstream school settings for 6 years. He has worked in the Out of home Care sector in NSW for the past 8 years with a non-government organisation Allambi Care. His experience has changed many hearts and minds within the sector through his motivation to get youth with family and community and educational support for staff to best engage and support Aboriginal children and families.

Aunty Debra Swan is an Gomeroi woman from Moree and a founding member of Grandmothers Against Removal (GMAR) NSW. She is a Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, previously working in NSW child protection system for 13 years as a caseworker, and brings strong experience and knowledge of the child protection and its impacts on Aboriginal children and families to the Review. Aunty Debra, along with Suellyn Tighe and Jennifer Swan, was instrumental in developing guiding principles for strengthening local Aboriginal participation in child protection decision-making NSW and drawing attention to issues in child protection nationally.