Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Steering Committee

Regan Mitchell, Domestic Violence Program Manager and Prevention Specialist, Weave Youth & Community Services. Regan is a proud Wiradjuri / Ngunnawal woman born and raised in Cowra NSW. As Weave’s Domestic Violence Program Manager and Prevention Specialist, Regan leads the Domestic Violence Program (DVP) to advocate for and support women and children experiencing domestic and family violence and abuse. This role involves both working on the frontline alongside the DVP team as well as working closely with the leadership team and across the organisation to educate and empower our staff and communities to be involved in ending gender based violence. Regan is a fierce advocate for prevention, attitudinal and systemic change around domestic and family violence and abuse. She is recognised in the sector and community as a strong source of knowledge and expertise and as someone who doesn’t shy away from hard conversations. Regan is also the Chairperson of Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre in Sydney, an Executive Member of the Aboriginal Women’s Advisory Network (AWAN) and a member of the DVNSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Steering Committee.

Ashlee Donohue is a proud Aboriginal woman from the Dunghutti nation, born and raised in Kempsey, NSW. A highly sought after facilitator, speaker and powerful advocate for the anti-violence message. Ashlee has written and co-created numerous anti-violence campaigns. Presented at the United Nations in NYC. Self-Published her memoir titled ‘Because I love him’ a personal account of love, motherhood, domestic violence and survival. Currently, Ashlee is the CEO of Mudgin-Gal Aboriginal Corporation-Women’s Centre. She also sits on the ‘Our Watch’ Aboriginal Women’s Advisory Board, City of Sydney’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory panel and is Chairperson of Warringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Service.

Maryanne is a proud Wailwan/Kamileroi and Gumbainggir woman who grew up in Inverell NSW. She is second generation of the Stolen Generation as her mother was also stolen. Maryanne is a case worker supporting women escaping domestic violence at the Lismore Women’s and Children’s Refuge. Prior to this, Maryanne was the Aboriginal Specialist Worker with DVCAS for eight years which involved providing court advocacy and community development where she delivered domestic violence education and awareness raising initiatives. Maryanne sits on the LGBTIQ Aboriginal Domestic Violence Board which helps to fulfil her passion to improve the education and visibility of the minority groups represented on behalf of this board. Maryanne has played a role in modifying publicly available resources to make them more relatable to Aboriginal people which ensures their inclusion and visibility within issues that are important to communities as a whole. Maryanne is very driven to raise awareness and continues to be a voice for marginalized peoples in equality, fairness and visibility.

Bio Coming Soon

Mary is a proud Cooma, Kamilaroi woman. Mary has been the manager of the Wilcannia Safe House 2013 – 2022. After a recent sabbatical working with Aboriginal Community Housing Industry Association (ACHIA), Mary recently returned to DVSM, taking up the cross-services role ‘Community Culture Manager’. For more than two decades Mary has worked frontline in a range of coordination and management positions within the domestic and family violence sector in rural NSW. She has a wealth of experience supporting Aboriginal women and children, families, and communities and is considered a key stakeholder for her community and rural area needs pertaining to DFV. Mary’s skill in listening and advocacy have brought from small changes to gain the attention of GOVT leaders that’s. Recent advocacies work Social housing threshold – low-income earners must choose Work or a Home Rural remote areas need housing for staff. She is passionate about getting people to see for themselves they are the key to making a difference for themselves. Mary’s concern for equipping the disengaged, disempowered (too hard basket) and disqualified has become her service delivery focus for quality-of-life presence. “I listen for gaps and try to fill them big or small”. Mary’s work led to working with Sal Dennis and team to develop the “Follow my Lead” (lived experience) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtjq-5eoacA resource, and whilst with ACHIA develop “My Steps My Pathways” “Your Steps Your Pathway” that speaks to the inner strength making someone the “expert of their Lives”. Mary holds a Diploma of Community Services Coordination and has Certificates in multiple other areas including Social Housing and Aboriginal Health, and a Diploma in Business. Mary was the winner of the Bright Sparks MOB-ilse Award - sponsored by Ashurst. My legacy! supported women and children realise their potential.

Bronwyn Penrith is a widely respected Aboriginal Woman who has a lifelong commitment and engagement with her Community. She holds the Family responsibilities of a Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, and is a recognised kinship Carer. She is a recognised Elder by her Community. As well as her Position as Senior Director Burbangana Group a private consulting company and a member of Supply Nation. She is Chairperson of Mudgin-Gal Aboriginal Women Centre in Chippendale and a Director of the Redfern Foundation Ltd. She is also a past member of Women representatives on local, state and National levels. And is a current member of the City of Sydney Aboriginal Advisory Panel. Bronwyn is a trained facilitator experienced in Community education workshops, cultural awareness and Mentor and a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, of long standing, with the Australian Government Department of the Attorney General. And on the NSW legal aid Mediators Panel, in family law and including Care & Protection Mediation. In addition to the former work experience Bronwyn is an advocate of lifelong learning and has qualifications in area that include Indigenous Governance and – Mentoring through Diversity; Project Management and can include Trauma Informed Care work. Much of her work is in a voluntary capacity and She has recently been recognised for her voluntary delivery of series of Lateral Violence Workshops at the Women Centre. Bronwyn is the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women Alliance NSW representative. Natsiwa have identified Gendered Violence, Aboriginal Women in Business as priorities and issues impacting on Aboriginal Women and our Communities. A Board member of Womens Legal Resources NSW And also member of the NSW Women Legal Resource Centre Aboriginal Women Consultative Network. In June, 2016, Bronwyn fulfilled the role of Elder of the “Building Better Lives for Ourselves’. Conference of 100 A&TSI Women bought together by PM&C . She is on a journey of Reclaiming Culture, and is a Student of Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Nation Building at Charles Sturt University. Through language, and Cultural Practice, last year Bronwyn led the Making of a Possum Skin Cloak at Mudgin-gal Women Centre the first sewn by local community Aboriginal Women hands in 200 years. Through Mudgin-gal Bronwyn initiated an invitation for Aboriginal women to reclaim their Corroroboree and Ceremony This preparation for Ceremony to which over 60 Women responded, from Grandmothers and daughter and granddaughter and great Grandaughters Furthermore, Bronwyn is deeply connected to Country, and recently, travelled to her home Country, to witness the first Traditional Burn of Country in that area since the coming of the Whites population to the Brungle Valley. She is an avid reader and likes to stay up to date with current politics.

Bio coming soon