Nairm Marr Djambana board members

Kerry Strickland

Chairperson

Kerry Strickland is a proud Wodiwodi woman from the Yuin nation, the First Nations people from the Illawarra region in NSW. She is a Registered Nurse with a passion for achieving positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children. Kerry’s nursing career has been focused on Aboriginal Early Years, and she is currently working at Monash Health as the Manager of Aboriginal Health Community.

Kerry has been the treasurer for Nairm Marr Djambana for the last 5 years and is committed to ensuring its financial stability. Additionally, she sits on the Women’s Spirit Program committee as the Cultural Advisor.

Kerry’s dedication to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is evident through her work and community involvement.

Aunty Yvonne Luke

Board Elder

Aunty Yvonne Luke was born on Wurundjeri Country and identifies with her mother’s Alyawarr Country. She is the proud mother of three children.

Yvonne has worked supporting Aboriginal young people in Victorian both in Aboriginal community organisations and Government. She is a past Elder of the Broadmeadows Koori Court and a current Elder at the Melbourne County Court. She has sat on Government Boards and Committees including: the Dept of Justice Ethics Committee; Youth Parole Board; First Peoples Directions Circle and The Child Death Review Committee. Yvonne is a past member of the Margaret Tucker Management Committee and is a current director of Baluk Arts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation and Nairm Marr Djambana.

Alan Johnson

Board member

Alan is a proud Gunditjmara man, whose people are the traditional Owners of Lake Condah, in Victoria’s far southwest.

Currently works for Dept of Education as a KESO (Koorie Engagement Support Officer)

Has worked across a number of roles in the Aboriginal Community in NSW and Victoria over many years, including teaching Aboriginal Studies at tertiary level, Training – delivering programs with specific Aboriginal content (both in-house and to external organisations), high-level Information Technology as a System Engineer, and providing guidance and mentoring to young Aboriginal people in his workplaces.

Daniel Laws

Board member

Dan is a proud Aboriginal man who has over 20 years experience working in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

Dans skills and experience include:

Sound knowledge of the community profile in the Frankston Bayside/Peninsula area

Strong Communicator

Managerial experience over 20 years

Strong connections with major stakeholders both State-wide and local

Well respected

Previous board experience

Strong Governance background

Jennifer Temby

Board member

Jenny is a proud Larrakia woman from Darwin, Northern Territory.
Jenny has previous experience as an Aboriginal youth worker for DDACL and was an active member of the Community Aboriginal Justice Panel (ACJP) for approximately 2 years. This program was designed to assist in the prevention of deaths in custody of our young people and is funded by RAJAC.

Jenny currently works for a supportive housing team in the Frankston area as the Aboriginal Social and Emotional Well-being Worker and does outreach work with the most vulnerable people in our community who have endured long term rough sleeping and trauma. It is a privilege to be able to walk along side of my people to support them with their recovery journey into housing.
Jenny is honoured to be on the board and looks forward to getting to know our community members and supporting those in need.

Brian Walker

Board Member

Brian is a Yorta Yorta/Wemba Wemba man who grew up and lives on Bunurong land. He has lived in Frankston for over 20 years.

Brian has extensive leadership experience working with the Koorie community in employment, engagement, and education roles, as well as strong networks in the Koorie community and a deep understanding of cultural protocols.

As a foster carer with wife, Machelle, they have cared for over 60 young people, as well as their children Karen and PJ