Empowering Our Community

Tylah Wheeler is a proud Yuin woman who has lived on Darkinung country her whole life. 

Tylah is School-Based Trainee (SBAT) at Barang Regional Alliance in the gili-dhi-muru team. 

Before her SBAT Tylah was the first ever cultural captain at Berkeley Vale Campus, Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College and always aimed to be a role model for her Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peers. Tylah strives to empower young people on Darkinung country by giving them a voice to make changes and decisions.

Tylah has been involved with Barang since the first Empowered Youth Summit in 2019 at just 9 years old and now is a proud member of the guyung minig (black fire) youth leadership cohort facilitated by the Alliance. 

Tylah is proud of what she has achieved at such a young age and looks forward to seeing where her passions will take her. She hopes that wherever it is that it inspires not just the people around her but the future generations to come. 

Remy is a proud Worimi woman who has lived on Darkinung Country since birth and feels a strong connection to the community she calls home. She is passionate about supporting children and families to feel connected, confident and ready for their learning journey.

Remy holds a Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Honours) and has spent several years working in primary education. Throughout her teaching career, she has supported young learners across early childhood and primary settings, building strong relationships with students, families and the wider school community. Her experience has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of child development, early learning and the importance of creating inclusive and supportive environments.

Since joining Barang Regional Alliance as a Community Engagement and Linking Officer with the Connected Beginnings Program, Remy has continued to build meaningful connections with early learning services and families across the community. She is passionate about supporting educators to embed Aboriginal perspectives in respectful and practical ways, while also creating engaging experiences for children that foster a sense of belonging and connection to Country.

Remy is warm, approachable and community-minded, and values the importance of relationships, collaboration and ongoing learning. Her dedication to supporting children and families ensures she brings care, knowledge and authenticity to her role each day.

Leisa Sturt has lived on Darkinung Country most of her life, growing up at Avoca Beach before moving to the Wyong area 30 years ago.

With over two decades in education, Leisa has a genuine passion for helping students of all ages grow, learn, and feel empowered. She’s taught across both public and private schools, always adapting to new teaching styles and technology to make learning engaging, inclusive, and supportive learning environments.

Committed to lifelong learning, Leisa has also contributed to mentoring staff and students and actively collaborating with families and accessing outside services to provide additional support, ensuring children receive the resources they need to thrive both academically and personally.

Leisa believes education is about more than academics—it’s about building confidence, resilience, and opportunity and she is always looking for ways to make a positive difference in the lives of those around her.

Outside the classroom, Leisa actively engages with the broader educational community and service providers to advocate for equitable access and innovative approaches to learning.

Leisa is currently the Team Leader of the Connected Beginnings, yagunda baranggu – today for tomorrow program, where she supports children and families to feel confident, prepared, and excited for the transition into their first year of school as well as working alongside teachers and early childhood services in their programming to give kids the best possible start. 

Katie Dalton is a proud Awabakal woman who has done all her growing and learning on Darkinung Country.  

Katie has a Bachelor of Teaching / Bachelor of Arts from the University of Newcastle, graduating with honors. She also has a qualification in special and inclusive education. 

Katie has worked in education for over sixteen years in varying roles including Primary School Teacher, Assistant Principal and Aboriginal Education and Engagement Officer for the NSW Department of Education. She is passionate about incorporating Aboriginal perspectives and culture into the classroom.  

Katie is also a small business owner and has developed a range of physical resources that support Early Childhood Education Centres to visually acknowledge and show respect to First Nations people.  

Katie is a certified ASQ-TRAK Practitioner. She is also a New South Wales Justice of the Peace (JP).  

As the Connected Beginnings, yagunda baranggu – today for tomorrow, Team Leader, Katie aims to use her knowledge and experience in education to empower our families and support them in the first 2000 days of their child’s development.  

Born and raised on Darkinung land, Jenny Seelin has always had a deep connection to her community. After completing her Higher School Certificate (HSC), she began her professional journey in the Department of Community Services for the Hunter/Central Coast region, where she worked in an administrative role for seven years.

In 1998, Jenny obtained her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, paving the way for her future in this sector. The birth of her son in 2000 marked a significant turning point in her life, and she took some time to focus on her family.

In 2006, Jenny returned to the Early Childhood Education field, driven by her passion for nurturing young minds. She furthered her qualifications by completing her Diploma in Early Childhood and Education and Care, leading to a fulfilling 19-year career in the industry

Throughout Jenny’s journey, she has been dedicated to supporting children and families, contributing to the growth and development of future generations.

Chrystal is a proud Biripi woman, born and raised. Since the age of 18, she has lived on Darkinung Country, where she has proudly raised her two sons.

Since joining Barang Regional Alliance Chrystal has attained her certificate as an ASQ-TRAK Practitioner, Certificate of Completion in the EarTrain Program, and has been sworn in as a New South Wales Justice of the Peace, showing her dedication and commitment to continual learning and being able to better support our community.

Chrystal also holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and spent 24 years of her career caring for, teaching and nurturing the young minds of future generations. During this time, she has built lifelong bonds and strong connections within community. She is creative, kind, compassionate, deeply family orientated and loves a good yarn.

Chrystal’s wealth of experience, knowledge, and dedication to the community, children and families bring immense value to her role as a Community Engagement and Linking Officer with the Connected Beginnings Program at Barang.

Lyall Munro is a proud Wiradjuri/Gomeroi man who was born and raised in Sydney on Gadigal land, which is part of the Eora nation. As an Indigenous person who grew up in Inner City Sydney, he understands and has dealt with the problems facing Indigenous people such as racism, unemployment, health, education, and incarceration rates. Lyall has actively campaigned and protested the prejudice and injustices of Aboriginal people around Australia. 

Lyall obtained his High School Certificate after finishing year 12, Certificate III in Business Administration, and a dual diploma in Community Services and Counselling.

In Lyall’s previous role as Youth Support Officer at NASCA (National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy), he had the privilege to deliver weekly lesson plans to multiple schools within the NASCA Academies Program. As team leader for the NASCA Remote programs, Lyall has worked in many Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, learning from all that he came into contact with, while also successfully delivering the program in these multiple Indigenous communities in the NT. Lyall’s role as Regional Manager of High School Programs in NSW with Aurora Foundation led the delivery of their High School Program in Western Sydney, NSW, with 9 partner schools.

Throughout his 13+ years of experience working directly with Indigenous youth in Inner Sydney, he has witnessed the transformative power of community-driven initiatives in nurturing a strong sense of cultural identity and resilience among young people. Lyall brings his knowledge and experience to his role as Community Engagement and Linking Officer to support our families on Darkinung Country.

Joel Smeaton is a proud Kerrupjmara man from Lake Condah, Western Victoria, who has called the Central Coast home for over 50 years.

With more than 17 years of experience in the community and primary care sectors, including eight in leadership – Joel is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal communities and people experiencing vulnerability.

He holds a Diploma in Community Services Work and has completed training in Leadership & Management, Mental Health (non-clinical), Indigenous Mentoring, and Training & Assessment.

Joel’s commitment has been recognised through multiple accolades, including being a national finalist in the 2022 HESTA Excellence Awards and receiving the Rotary Club of Erina’s Pride of Workmanship Award.

Currently serving as the Community Engagement Officer at Barang, Joel draws on his deep community ties and professional expertise to help strengthen Aboriginal organisations and create greater opportunities for local communities across the Central Coast.

Mandy Kent-Shaw is a proud Wiradjuri woman, born and raised on Darkinung Country, where she has lived most of her life. She is a member of Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, the Darkinyung Language Centre and the co-founder of The Central Coast Pelicans Aboriginal Netball Club, now in its 21^st year.  She has a double degree, Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts (honours) and a triple major – Sociology, Aboriginal Education and Special Education K-12 and has also completed a Masters of Indigenous Language at Sydney University.

She has worked for over two decades in Education, in numerous positions across all grades and stages, from England to Darwin to the Central Coast, from classroom teacher to Assistant Principal, Principal to Director of Aboriginal Campuses NSW, leading two campuses. She is passionate about improving student outcomes through a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy and through a curriculum entwined with culture, instilling pride and self-belief along the way.

Mandy is a passionate advocate for Darkinyung language revival, dedicated to preserving and sharing its richness and works tirelessly to teach, promote, and celebrate the power of language.

Mandy is the Manager at Barang Regional Alliance of Connected Beginnings, the yagunda baranggu program – a first of its kind initiative in the region focusing on the critical first 2,000 days of a child’s development—laying the foundation for lifelong learning, health, and well-being – for kids to be strong, deadly, and ready to thrive at school. 

Julia Curtis is based in Tasmania and supports Barang on all things evaluation and data. She has worked at regional, state and national scales facilitating outcomes with project teams with a strong focus on supporting people to have impact and has spent the last seven years working as a sole trader contractor, intensively building strategic capacity with organisations and individuals and facilitating conversations about evaluation, data and building evidence for change.

Most recently Julia supported ten Empowered Communities regions building data and evaluation stories and capacity in the role of National Data Director. Julia has a Masters in International Development from the University of New Hampshire and Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture from University of Tasmania.

And, yes, she has a dog called Sunshine.

Corinne Hodson is a Ngunnawal/Wiradjuri woman with family links to the Riverina of NSW. She grew up in the Pilbara of WA and moved to Sydney in 1997 where she began working in the communities of Waterloo and Redfern. Corinne moved to the Central Coast 10 years ago and she is an active member of the Darkinung Aboriginal Community.

Corinne has worked in the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector for most of her life, primarily with youth, domestic and family violence and women’s services, as well as in child protection and across disability services for 19 years before starting work with Barang Regional Alliance in 2017. Her current role is Manager Partnerships and Policy. Corinne has Post Grad qualifications in Indigenous Trauma and Recovery, a Bachelor of Youth Work, and is also qualified in Counselling, Narrative Practice and Project Management, Case Management, Community Services, Leadership and Management and Business Governance.  She also currently teaches part-time within the NSW TAFE system. 

Corinne is a current Director of Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, a current Director with Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services, and is also a Director of the Multicultural Leadership Initiative. Corinne is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).

Corinne is a passionate advocate for social and environmental justice and for the development of Aboriginal leadership, particularly for our young people. She is also a huge fan of Dolly Parton, and of country music in general, and loves playing her guitar and singing.

Vickie Parry is a proud Gomeroi woman from Moree NSW, who moved to the Central Coast when she was just a little girl.

Vickie is the current Executive Director of Barang Regional Alliance.

Vickie is the current Co-Chair of the New South Wales Coalition of Regional Alliances.

She is the current Chairperson of Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services – a position she has held for over 8 years.

Vickie has a Bachelor of Education (Secondary), as well as multiple tertiary qualifications in Community Services. Vickie’s primary focus is to empower Aboriginal people through access, education, training, employment and participation.

Vickie is a powerful advocate for Aboriginal people through her work, participation and involvement in our local community.