Advisory Board Members' Profiles

Board Members 

Sandra Lee, Darug Tribal Aboriginal Corporation

Board Role: Elder and Community Advisor

Aunty Sandra Lee is Darug Elder who was born in Blacktown; Aunty Sandra is passionate about preserving the heritage and culture of the Darug people for all Australians to share. Aunty Sandra has just launched the Darug Research Institute in Western Sydney.

In 2011 Aunty Sandra was awarded Blacktown Council's Woman of the Year. She is currently, Director of the Darug Tribal Corporation as well as Secretary of the Darug Tribal Council

Mr Harry Allie

Board Role: Elder and Community Advisor

Harry Allie was born and grew up in the Charters Towers/Townsville area, and still has close ties to the area because he has family living there. He is a descendant of the Kudjula Tribal group.

After working for the Post Master General's (PMG) Department, Harry was inspired to join the military by his uncles and an aunt who served in the services during WWII. Because Harry felt he needed to improve his opportunities he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1966 at Townsville North Queensland.

Harry served for 23 ½ years at a number of units throughout Australia, the USA, and Malaysia, completing the final years of his service at units within the Sydney area.

After applying for discharge in 1989, Harry worked in the Defence Industry for 11 years, before joining the Commonwealth Public Service. Harry has been in the Public Service for seven years, involved in the Indigenous programs and issues. He is currently retired from his last appointment with the Dept of Families Housing and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in the Sydney Indigenous Coordination Centre. Harry is an inspiring leader and mentor of Indigenous youth. He has been an influential voice in shaping the national government policies on Indigenous Employment, Education and Community Engagement and sits on varies committees including:

• Chairperson - ATSI Advisory Committee Bankstown City Council
• Committee Member - Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council
• Board Member - Bankstown Community Resource Group 
• Committee Member - Nangahmi Ngallia Aboriginal Corporation 
• Committee Member - Coloured Diggers Projects 
• Committee Member - NSW Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Veterans Services Association

Mr Harry Allie, a prominent Aboriginal Elder and a member of the University of Western Sydney Indigenous Employment and Engagement Advisory Board, has been awarded one of five prestigious Elders Awards by the Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council for his lifelong contribution to higher Indigenous education in Australia. Previous recipients of the award include Professor Lewis O’Brien, Aunty Delsi Lillyst, Associate Professor Isaac Brown, Aunty Joy Wandin-Murphy and Mr Noel Nannup.

Throughout his career Harry has gained a lot personally from his time in the services both military and public and he is tremendously proud of the opportunities he has had to try to improve the position and opportunities of other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Defence Service Medals, Decorations Commendations:

• British Empire Medal 
• Australian Service Medal 1975 - 1989 
• Defence Service Medal 
• National Medal 
• Australian Defence Medal 
• Certificate of Outstanding Service Medal 1975 - 1989

Ms Tracy Bradford, Manager, State Library

Board Role: Employment Opportunities for Libraries, Workplace Awareness

Tracy holds post-graduate qualifications in Archives and History and is a PhD candidate at the University of Technology, Sydney. She has held various Archivist and Project Officer roles in the public sector including State Records NSW, Parramatta City Council, TAFE NSW, DAA and the NSW Department of Lands. She was a Councillor on the History Council of NSW Management Committee from 2000 – 2008, and has sat on various Committees including State Records NSW Public Sector Advisory Committee, Salvation Army Historical Society Committee, and the Australian Society of Archivists Sydney Branch Committee and Local Government Archives Special Interest Group.

Mal Tulloch

Board Role: Employment action plans and Engagement opportunities

Mal Tulloch was formally the Assistant Secretary of the CFMEU (Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union) NSW Branch.

Mr Tulloch began union activism when he was elected State Organiser for the Communication Workers Union in 1995. He joined the CFMEU in 2002.

Between 2002 and 2004 Mr Tulloch served as Mayor of Holroyd City Council.

Mr Tulloch is Secretary of the Local Government Network established to promote and encourage Indigenous Australians as councillors, and is a member of the Labor Party’s Indigenous Policy Committee.

Jack Pearson, Indigenous Leader

Board Role: Industry Employment and Engagement

Mr Pearson, a former adviser to Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Senator Amanda Vanstone, possesses a vast knowledge of Aboriginal language and culture, and experience with government policies and process in Indigenous Affairs.

Mr Pearson's knowledge and experience has been instrumental in his work with the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee, where he drafted the Indigenous Legal Services Chapter in the Legal Aid and Access to Justice Report June 2004.

He has also provided Indigenous Affairs advice to senior Defence personnel for proposed Indigenous Land Use Agreements on Defence training areas.

Mr Pearson says partnerships between governments, Indigenous communities, and the private sector are the key to achieving mutual respect and benefit for all.

"Practical reconciliation in the form of real outcomes show people what they can do and what can be done", Mr Pearson said.

"It is not just talking about things - but by doing things in partnership with Indigenous people that outcomes can be fully realised by all involved".

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Consulting Members

Rasme Prior - Cultural Awareness Consultant

Board Role: Cultural Engagement/Protocols

Rasme has worked for the Aboriginal Development Commission (ADC) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) as well as volunteer work for many Indigenous community organisations. Rasme is an accredited cross-cultural awareness trainer and a member of the Women’s Reconciliation Network NSW and runs her own cross cultural training consultancy.

Noeline Briggs-Smith, Aboriginal Researcher, Northern Regional Library

Board Role: Cultural Engagement/Protocols and Employment

Founder and Manager of the Indigenous Unit at the Northern Regional Library and Information Service since 1995. Noeline is an Aboriginal Researcher who has also received numerous awards and appreciation certificates including a NAIDOC award for her contribution to the Aboriginal Community and as Moree Plains Shire Council 'Citizen of the Year' in 2004. Aunty Noeline Briggs-Smith, Aboriginal Researcher and Librarian in 2011 was awarded an OAM honour. Mrs Briggs-Smith said she was the first Aboriginal person in Moree to be awarded an OAM. She received the honour for service to the Indigenous community of Moree, particularly through the documentation of local and family history.

Zona Wilkinson

Board Role: Curator of Aboriginal Programs

Zona Wilkinson is a Gamiliraay artist from the surrounding north western NSW. She began painting in the late 1960’s, Collected by the Power House Museum, Zona is a talented Aboriginal woman who has worked in the arts industry as an artist, art teacher and curator. She is a highly respected Cultural educator and visual artist working in textiles, ceramics, mosaic, sculpture, painting and murals, and printmaking.

Zona is a Founding member of Blacktown Arts Centre. She has exhibited at venues, including Penrith Regional Gallery, Blacktown Arts Centre and Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre.

Mavis Robinson

Board Role: Elder on Campus

Aunty Mae Robinson, an Aboriginal Elder and long time resident of Mt Pritchard, has been recognised for her contributions to the education and the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Over the last 30 years, Aunty Mae has held various positions within the education system, in which she has worked tirelessly to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people with opportunities and access to education, as well to raise awareness of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In the early 1980s, Aunty Mae became the first Aboriginal individual to graduate from the School of Education at the Milperra College of Advanced Education (later a part of UWS), which she did as a mature aged student and mother. Aunty Mae went on to teach in GWS primary schools and was appointed to Education Officer and consultant positions with the NSW Department of Education and Training.

Since retiring Aunty Mae continues to consult with local Aboriginal communities.  She is an advocate for the value of education as a transformative force. In 2008, Aunty Mae received the NSW Director-General of Education and Training Award for Excellent Service to Public Education and Training. In 2007 she received an Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council Award to Indigenous Elders and Leaders, which is awarded to those who have “made significant contribution to indigenous higher education in Australia”. She is an Ambassador for ‘Dare to Lead’ (a Commonwealth funded national program with a focus on improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal Students) and has been actively involved in the program since it began in 2000. Aunty Mae was also a joint winner in the University of Western Sydney’s Women of the West awards in 2010 and awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Western Sydney in December 2011.

Aunty Mae has used her vast knowledge of Aboriginal culture and issues to support awareness raising and Aboriginal student achievement in schools throughout the South West. She is considered a connector of cultures, recognised for her drive and passion, and has made a genuine difference through education.

Norma Shelley 

Board Role: Elder on Campus

Aunty Norma Shelley is a retired textile and design teacher and, gives her time to local community groups, including the Cerebral Palsy Association, Aboriginal Carers, South West Sydney Koori Interagency, the NSW Justices Association, the Liverpool Council Aboriginal Consultative Committee and the Fairfield Council Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

Aunty Norma moved to Liverpool 30 years ago and her ancestors are Kamilaroi people. Aunty Norma is a member of the Gandagara Land Council, the Heritage Committee and the Aboriginal Consultative Committee.

Aunty Norma has received many prestigious awards for her contributions to the community over the years including the Officer of the Order of Liverpool; Order of Australia Medal, Premier's Seniors Achievement Award and the Federal Government's Seniors Achievement Award and Liverpool’s Citizen of the year 2011. 

Ivan Wellington                  

Board Role: Elder on Campus

Uncle Ivan is an Elder in the Macarthur area. Originally from Jerrinja on the south coast and from the Wandi Wandian people, Uncle Ivan moved to the Macarthur region almost 30 years ago. He has an extraordinary insight into the needs of his people and is committed to sharing his culture and knowledge with his community.

In the book, Old feet/New Paths (2007) transcribed by Michelle Bishop, Uncle Ivan tells his stories with Aunty Verna Barker.

Uncle Ivan has put in many hours as an Aboriginal mentor for the Juvenile Justice Department. He also assists as a Mentor to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students on the Campbelltown and Bankstown Campus of the University of Western Sydney.

Uncle Ivan is committed to giving back to the Aboriginal culture of caring and sharing and taking care of the Welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. He has also said that 'Aboriginal people only ever wanted to be recognised as the first people in Australia and be given the respect that went with it'.

In 2011 Uncle Ivan was the Winner of the Social Hosing Volunteers awards held by the South Western Tenants Association. Uncle Ivan was recognised for his volunteer work with the people of South Western Sydney. across the south western Sydney area

Wes Marne            

Board Role: Elder on Campus

Uncle Wes is a Biduginbul man who has lived on the lands of the Darug people in Mt Druitt for over 40 years. He is known throughout the community for the Aboriginal culture and education, through his storytelling, he brings into schools. Uncle Wes comes from a long line of storytellers. His grandfather and Father were great storytellers and he has followed in their footsteps. 

In 2011 Uncle Wes was the proud recipient of the first Nanga Mai Love of Learning award. The Nanga Mai Awards celebrate and recognise innovation, excellence and achievement in Aboriginal education in NSW public schools, school communities and Department of Education and Training regional and state offices.

Uncle Wes is a member of the Mount Druitt and Districts Reconciliation Group who, for the past 14 years, have organised a reconciliation walk in Mt Druitt. This program has continued to grow due to the committed and dedicated work of Uncle Wes and his fellow committee members.

Rex Sorby

Board Role: Elder on Campus

Uncle Rex was born in Coonabarabran and lived on 640 acres near Forkie Mountain. At 16 Rex moved to Quirindi and joined the railway on full adult pay.  

Uncle Rex worked at the railway for 30 years and was elected to the Union. He was the first Aboriginal to be elected to the AAU. Uncle Rex retired at the age of 58 and now sits on a number of Boards including the Guildford RSL, Heritage Society, and Holroyd Council and is an Ethics Committee Member. 

Uncle Rex currently sits on the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement Consultative Committee at the University of Western Sydney.

Francis Bodkin

Board Role: Elder on Campus

Aunty Fran is a D’harawal woman for the south of Sydney, and is well known throughout Macarthur for her dedication to the environment and Aboriginal culture. She works tirelessly to teach traditional “Science” and enable a deeper understanding of, how to care for our natural environment. Aunty Fran is not only a keeper and educator of Aboriginal knowledge she is also a scientist. Aunty Fran holds degrees in Environmental Science, Geomorphology and Climatology. The knowledge through her degrees and that which has been passed down through her Aboriginal mother has provided Aunty Fran with a holistic approach to the environment.  

Thelma Quartey

Board Role: Cultural Engagement/Protocols

Thelma has worked at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) established DIAC’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network. Thelma also lectured at UTS and Macquarie University on Torres Strait Island history, culture and people. She is also a volunteer member of ATSIC, CPSU Delegate (DIAC) and TSIAB.

Aunty Mavis Halvorson

Board Role: Elder

Aunty Mavis Halvorson is a senior elder of the Darug people - the Aboriginal custodians of the area surrounding Blacktown.

Their land, at the corner of Richmond Road and Rooty Hill Road North, heralded the birth of Blacktown following its use for Aboriginal farming and a native institute in 1823.

Aunty Mavis is a descendant of Richmond tribal chief Yarramundi, the father of Colebee, who, with Nurragingy, were the first Aboriginal people to get a land grant from Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1816.

Mrs Halvorson is the great-granddaughter of Maria Lock, Yarramundi's daughter, who is the only Aboriginal person buried at the historic St Bartholomew's cemetery in Prospect.

University of Western Sydney Members

• Professor Wayne McKenna, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Research (Chair)
• Ann Tout, Executive Director, Office of People and Culture 
• Dr Sev Ozdowski, Director Equity and Diversity
• Melissa Williams, Director, Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement (Member, Secretary)
• Associate Professor Berice Anning, Director and Dean, Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education
• Angela Spithill, Program Manager (Minutes)