Elders on Campus

Aunty Sandra Lee

Aunty Sandra Lee is a Boorooberrongal, Darug Elder and Traditional Owner 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 is Secretary of the Darug Tribal Aboriginal Corporation (DTAC) and Darug Research and Information Centre (opens in new window).

The Darug Research and Information Centre is located at:

71 Seven Hills Rd South, Seven Hills, NSW 2147
Telephone: (02) 9622 4081
Opening Hours for the Darug Tribal Aboriginal Corporation:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am-2pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-1pm (phone for appointments)

In 2011, Aunty Sandra was awarded Blacktown Council's Woman of the Year and in 2012 DTAC won the Margaret Oldfield Zest Award for Outstanding Project within and Aboriginal organisation. The award was presented to Aunty Sandra Lee on behalf of the Tribal Aboriginal Corporation for their positive impact that community capacity building activities have had on Greater Western Sydney region. 

Aunty Norma Shelley
Community Elder

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.   

Aunty Mae Robinson
Community Elder

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'. 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.

Uncle Ivan Wellington
Community Elder

Uncle Ivan is a Community Elder working across South Western Sydney. 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.

Uncle Wes Marne
Community Elder

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.

Uncle Rex Sorby
Community Elder

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.

Aunty Fran Bodkin
Community Elder

Aunty Fran is a D’harawal woman for the south of Sydney, and is well known throughout Western Sydney 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. 

In 2011, Aunty Fran was named as one of the 100 most influential Aboriginal women of the last 100 years by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Alliance (NATSIWA) as part of their International Women's Day celebrations.

Aunty Fran is a member of Wollondilly Aboriginal Advisory Committee and participates in many of councils events. She is also currently sits on the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement Consultative Committee at the University of Western Sydney. 

Aunty Edna Watson

Aunty Edna Watson, a Darug Elder and long time resident of Oakville, is an artist and story teller who has made significant contributions to preserving the Darug language and contributing to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the areas of nursing and midwifery. Aunty Edna is a quiet achiever who is reluctant to speak about her many achievements however she is actively involved with local councils, NSW Department of Primary Industries, NSW Reconciliation, TAFE and the University of Western Sydney. Aunty Edna has developed curriculum for NSW schools in Western Sydney to revitalize the Darug language. Aunty Edna is well respected in the community and often referred to by Government and Industry on matters of protocol. Aunty Edna is a keeper of stories and knowledge of the Darug language and culture, Aunty Edna dedicates much of her time and energy to preserving this knowledge for subsequent generations through her programs and art works.

Aunty Rasme Prior

Aunty Rasme Prior is a Torres Strait Islander Education consultant who has worked for the Aboriginal Development Commission (ADC) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) as well as volunteer working for many 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. Aunty Rasme continues to dedicate her life to promoting cultural awareness amongst all Australians.

Aunty Thelma Quartey

Aunty Thelma Quartey is a Torres Strait Islander Education consultant and 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 Islander history, culture and people. Also a volunteer member of ATSIC, CPSU Delegate (DIAC) and TSIAB. Thelma is also involved with the NSW Electoral Commission Indigenous Electoral Participation Program encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to enrol to vote. The Indigenous Electoral Participation Program (IEPP) conduct free education and information programs for community groups, schools and organisations in NSW. Thelma is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and is committed to ensuring that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a voice in the community.

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