Ngiwa Yarna Committee

 

Position: Community member

Tribe: Wangkumarra/Kamilaroi

Achievements: Sharon has worked for more than 26 years in the Aboriginal Health field, while being a long-time human rights and social justice advocate. Sharon is also passionate about equality, self-determination and Aboriginal people have a voice.

What has the Ngiwa Yarna done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved: "Being on the Ngiwa Yarna Committee enables me to have a seat at the table, and offer my cultural knowledge, professional experience, as well as lived experience to the Council, which can help with its decision-making where the Aboriginal community can be consulted and represented.

"I have been living in Mildura since 2019, and have been a member of Ngiwa Yarna since early 2021. Policy-setting, good communication, consultation and respecting cultural lore and protocols will enable the AAC to remain strong and unified as we work together for a better and more inclusive future for Aboriginal people in the North West of Victoria."

Position: Mallee Dhelk Dja Regional Coordinator

Tribe: Barkindji

Achievements: I am an identical twin, a proud mother and have advocated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survivors of sexual assault and domestic and family violence.

For the last 13 years, I have devoted my time to work in Aboriginal Community services in Broken Hill and surrounding areas, including Wilcannia, Menindee, Ivanhoe, Tibooburra, Dareton and Wentworth.

I am a former Manager of Aboriginal Prevention Legal Violence Service 'Warra Warra' - a free legal service that provides legal advice, representation and assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survivors of Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault in the Far West of NSW.

I also received my Certificate IV to become a qualified Aboriginal Health Practitioner at the Maari Ma Aboriginal Health Corporation. I performed this role for eight years, running my own Smoking Programs and assisting dieticians with community dinners and healthy promotional events.

What has Ngiwa Yarna done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved in the committee: I feel very honoured to represent Mallee Dhelk Dja on the Ngiwa Yarna Committee. The opportunity to develop my knowledge and understanding of the Mallee communities and service providers will be very helpful for my journey with Dhelk Dja. I hope to provide honest information, suggestions and leadership to all the committee while maintaining cultural respect and awareness. I look forward to collaborating for change for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members.

Position: Elder

Tribe: Barkindji, Malangaappa

Achievements: I’ve been a performing poet, singer, and song-writer for years. I’ve been a grape picker, a truck driver and am a proud family man.

What has Ngiwa Yarna done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved in the committee: I think it’s important for Council to listen to Aboriginal community, and hear our ideas about how things should be in our community. And as an Elder, it’s my duty to pass on what I know about our culture.

Tribe and Achievements:

Angelika Fevaleaki is the Mallee LAJAC Project Officer the LAJACs are responsible for promoting and nourishing improved relationships, linkages and reconciliation between the wider local Aboriginal community, justice agencies, local government and community service providers.

Angelika is a proud Mutthi Mutthi woman with extensive cultural knowledge and connections.

Angelika completed her Diploma of Community Services through Bendigo TAFE and was recently awarded with the ‘Aunty Melva Johnson Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year 2024.’ This prestigious award is in honour of Aunty Melva Johnson, a Yorta Yorta and Wemba Wemba Elder, and a champion of Aboriginal education and health.

Angelika’s dedication, passion and commitment working with Aboriginal people on Justice issues will be an asset to our Department, Stakeholders and Community. in which she has completed a Post Graduate in Family Therapy and her experience with working in Community Service extends through her life experience and further educational opportunities she continues to study.

What has Ngiwa Yarna done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved in the committee:

Being a member of a Ngiwa Yarna and dedication to the inclusion of First Nations peoples is an important and impactful role, one that contributes significantly to fostering equity, social justice, and reconciliation to promote a deeper understanding of the unique histories, cultures, and challenges faced by First Nations peoples. This role involves educating the broader community about Indigenous experiences, thereby encouraging mutual respect and dismantling stereotypes. Through such efforts, members contribute to the creation of an informed and inclusive society.

Therefore, uplifting first nations voices with true inclusion requires that First Nations peoples have an active voice in the decisions that affect their communities and well-being. As a member of the committee, one has the opportunity to ensure that Indigenous perspectives are included in discussions and decision-making processes, particularly in matters related to community development, cultural preservation, and social services. This promotes greater empowerment and autonomy for First Nations peoples.

Being a part of Ngiwa Yarna provides both personal rewards and broader community benefits. It offers opportunities for skill development, networking, making an impact, and building stronger ties with the people around you.  

Ada Peterson is an Aboriginal Elder and community leader of Barkindji / Paakantji heritage. Community respected cultural connector and advocate, known locally for her ongoing work with community organisations focused on strengthening relationships, amplifying Aboriginal voices, and supporting community-led change. 

Stephan Gocol is a proud Latji Latji man and a deeply respected First Nations community leader and advocate based in Mildura, Victoria. His career is defined by a fierce commitment to Indigenous self-determination, health and wellbeing, and frontline legal advocacy in regional Victoria.

He currently serves as the Community Engagement Officer for the First People of the Millewa-Mallee Aboriginal Corporation (FPMMAC). In this capacity, he acts as a vital bridge between the corporation and the local Aboriginal community in Mildura.

Prior to his role at FPMMAC, Stephan dedicated seven years to the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) as a Client Service Officer (CSO) and regional staff member in Mildura. During this nearly decade-long tenure, his frontline work was foundational to the local justice system

Achievements: Diploma of Community Services (2023): I graduated from RMIT University, formalising my extensive practical field experience with advanced training in community development, casework, and social advocacy.

Why did I Join?

I joined the Ngiwa Yarna Committee to ensure our local First Nations community has a strong, direct voice in the decisions being made by the Mildura Rural City Council. Throughout my seven years on the frontline with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), I saw firsthand the heavy, systemic challenges our people face in the Mallee region—especially around health, custody welfare, and crisis support. Now, in my role with the First People of the Millewa Mallee Aboriginal Corporation (FPMMAC), my focus is strictly on long-term self-determination, preserving our culture, and managing our newly recognized native title rights.

Joining this committee bridges those two worlds. It allows me to use my background in advocacy to advise the Council directly on how to improve community wellbeing, strengthen local relationships, and ensure that cultural respect isn't just a policy on paper, but a real practice that benefits our families on Country.