I am a proud Dunghutti man from Kempsey, deeply connected to the Aboriginal communities of the Macleay Valley and recognised across NSW through long‑standing cultural, family, and professional relationships. My career spans more than three decades in Aboriginal community service, frontline advocacy, justice, policing partnerships, project management, and leadership roles. I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration from UTS, diplomas in Community Services and National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Advocacy and qualifications in building supervision and carpentry, reflecting my lifelong commitment to learning, self‑determination, and personal growth.ring BDL remains a trusted, culturally safe, and community‑driven organisation that continues to empower our people.

My work with the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT), AES, NSW Police, and community‑based organisations has strengthened my understanding of the challenges, strengths, and aspirations of our mob. I have delivered culturally grounded support, community legal education, suicide prevention initiatives, and advocacy that centres the safety, rights, and dignity of Aboriginal people. These experiences guide my approach to governance within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation like Booroongen Djugun Limited.

I serve on the BDL Board because I believe our Elders, families, and communities deserve strong, culturally informed leadership that stands firm in their corner. I want our community to know that I bring honesty, integrity, strategic thinking, and a deep sense of responsibility to this role. My priority is ensuring BDL remains a trusted, culturally safe, and community‑driven organisation that continues to empower our people.

My name is Joanne Adams and I am honoured to serve as Secretary and Director on the Board of Booroongen Djugun Limited. I am a proud Darug and Gundungurra woman who has lived, worked and raised my children on Dunghutti Country for more than 21 years. My connection to community care began at 18, when I worked at Booroongen Djugun as Assistant to the Director of Nursing, grounding me in Aboriginal‑led service values from the very beginning.

I bring over 16 years experience across the APS, NSW Government and Aboriginal Community‑Controlled Organisations, with strong capability in governance, risk management, community engagement and culturally informed leadership. I completed Governance Workshop Training in January 2026. My leadership approach is collaborative, empowering and centred on wellbeing, continuous improvement and innovation. I have mentored staff, supported transformation initiatives and contributed to projects that improved service access, communication and productivity for Mob.

I served as Chair of the Aboriginal Interagency in Kempsey, strengthening local partnerships and coordinated responses for community needs. I also contributed to the Kempsey NAIDOC Yarning Circle and Dinner Dance NADIOC Subcommittee, supporting large‑scale cultural events. I was formally recognised for my leadership during the 2025 floods, where I supported opening evacuation centres, community recovery and guided staff working under crisis conditions.

As a Director, I strengthen policy, strategic planning, compliance and board development to ensure our organisation upholds accountability, cultural integrity and community‑driven decision‑making. I lead with integrity, cultural responsibility and a deep commitment to improving outcomes for our mob. My priorities include transparency, cultural safety, strong governance and ensuring Aboriginal voices remain at the centre of every direction we take.

I place strong emphasis on building leadership aspiration, particularly for Aboriginal staff and I am committed to creating genuine pathways for Aboriginal leadership development at all levels.

Accountability is central to my practice. I set clear expectations around workplace behaviour, professionalism and integrity, ensuring our company operates in a way that is safe, respectful and consistent with our values. I am deeply focused on maintaining a culturally safe environment, from the Board level through to frontline service delivery, where our mob feel respected, heard and represented.

My name is Annette Lawrence and I’m committed to serving as a director at Booroongen Djugun Limited.

I am a proud Dunghutti woman, born and raised in Kempsey, with deep cultural ties to community.

My connection to Booroongen Djugun began at 16, when I completed two business traineeships and worked across the organisation in administration, the college and aged care facility, where I gained my AIN and business qualifications. These early years shaped my commitment to Aboriginal community‑controlled care and to the values that continue to guide BDL.

My professional experience spans across aged care, disability, youth justice, training and education programs, life coaching/mentoring and community development. I work within DCJ in planning and commissioning where I support ACCOs and other departments navigating cultural responsive commissioning. I bring extensive experience in grants, tenders, strategic direction and policy development as well as community partnerships.

During the COVID‑19 pandemic, I helped fill a critical service gap by coordinating medical and food supplies for our mob when communities were cut off, securing sponsorships from multiple organisations and ensuring vulnerable families were supported. I have also contributed over the years through my chair role on the NAIDOC Yarning Circle and Dinner Dance Sub‑Committee, helping deliver culturally significant community events and gaining sponsors.

I currently serve as the Deputy Mayor of Kempsey Shire and bring extensive governance training that strengthens my contribution at the board table. Since joining the BDL Board in 2022, I have carried a deep sense of responsibility to uphold our community’s expectations and ensure all who access our services receive the care, respect, and opportunities they deserve as well as ensuring staff are supported in their roles.

As a Director, I see my role as a responsibility to protect, strengthen, and grow the organisation that helped shape me. I focus on building strong governance, elevating Aboriginal leadership, and ensuring decisions are grounded in culture, community needs, and long‑term sustainability. I bring lived experience, strategic insight, and a commitment to accountability so that BDL remains a safe, respected, community‑led organisation for generations to come.

As a proud Dunghutti man, I have dedicated my career to working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities to create meaningful opportunities through employment, connection and empowerment. For many years, my professional journey has centred on helping people build confidence, gain skills and move into pathways that support long‑term independence. I have worked across a range of roles within First Nations organisations, giving me a strong understanding of community engagement, operational delivery and the importance of culturally grounded practice. In my current role as National Operations Manager for Real Futures, I lead programs designed to support people into sustainable employment and future success. I take pride in bringing a practical, solutions‑focused approach to my work, with extensive experience navigating systems, legislation and service delivery in ways that genuinely meet community needs. Building strong, respectful relationships has always been at the heart of what I do. I believe that trust, respect and cultural understanding are essential foundations for achieving positive outcomes that last. I have served on the Booroongen Djugun Limited Board for many years, and throughout this time, I have undertaken extensive governance training to strengthen my contribution and uphold strong, culturally safe governance. My continued decision to serve on the Board reflects my deep commitment to community and my belief in the power of strong leadership to help shape better futures. I remain dedicated to supporting community voice, strengthening culture, and creating opportunities that empower our people now and into the future.

I am a proud Darug woman from Western Sydney, grew up in Wellington NSW and have lived on Dunghutti Country for 25 years where I have raised my three children and am a proud grandmother of three. With over 20 years experience across employment services, training and community development I bring extensive expertise in strategic leadership, program design and delivery and governance. As CEO of Real Futures and Executive General Manager – AKG Communities, I lead a diverse portfolio of First Nations businesses operating across remote, regional and urban communities nationally – driving innovation, growth and sustainable outcomes. I am also Chair of the Her Futures Foundation and have had the privilege of representing Real Futures internationally at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York.

I hold an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard Kennedy School and have completed executive programs including Leadership Decision Making, Leadership for the 21st Century, and Women & Power, strengthening my expertise in governance, decision-making and leadership in complex environments

My Connection to community is grounded in both lived experience and a career dedicated to improving employment, education and economic outcomes for First Nations people. I am deeply committed to creating culturally safe pathways and am a strong advocate for gender equality including leading initiatives aligned to the UN Women Second Chance Education Program and supporting First Nations women to thrive

I serve on the Booroongen Djugun Limited Board because I am passionate about contributing to strong, culturally informed governance that empowers community-led decision making. I bring integrity, accountability and a collaborative leadership style and I am committed to ensuring community voice, strength and self-determination remain at the centre of BDL’s work

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Fiona is an experienced healthcare leader with over 30 years in health service delivery, including more than 15 years in senior leadership roles. She is known for her integrity, sound judgement, and ability to deliver practical, community-focused outcomes.

Currently a part time hospital social worker, Fiona brings a strong combination of frontline clinical expertise and strategic insight. Her experience in crisis intervention, psychosocial assessment, and multidisciplinary care enables her to contribute grounded, real-world perspectives to governance and advisory roles.

Fiona has extensive experience within the NSW Local Health District environment, leading across clinical and corporate governance, service coordination, and system improvement, including in rural and remote settings. Having previously lived and worked on the Mid North Coast, she has a strong understanding of the local health landscape and the communities served by organisations such as Booroongen Djugun.

Her leadership experience spans quality and safety, policy development, risk management, and consumer and carer engagement. She has led accreditation across disability, mental health, and primary care services, including the National Safety and Quality Health Standards, and supported multiple headspace services. She has also held district executive responsibilities across Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Services, coordinating community-based teams and contributing to system-wide performance and planning.

Fiona holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Health Management and is a qualified community accreditation assessor with QIP. She brings a thoughtful, ethical approach to Board Advisory roles, with a strong commitment to culturally safe, community-led governance and supporting Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to deliver sustainable, high-quality outcomes.