Jo-Anne Kelly

Chair, Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance Aboriginal Corporation
CEO, Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land Council     

Jo-Anne Kelly is a descendant of the Dunghutti people and a single mum of two children.  She has extensive experience working across education, training, health and governance. She has working throughout NSW in a range of fields that has given her an insight in the regional and remote NSW.   

 Jo-Anne is a qualified primary teacher who also has a Diploma in Project Management and Master of Arts in Indigenous Social Policy.   

 Jo-Anne has been an Executive member of Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service for nearly three years.   

Chris Spencer

Deputy Chair, Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance Aboriginal Corporation
CEO, Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Land Council     

Chris is the current CEO of Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council. Chris holds strong values to the retention of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage knowledge for the region and sits on numerous Boards and Committees throughout the Mid North Coast region.     

“The Saltwater Freshwater Aboriginal Arts Alliance in my eyes is a way forward for our many existing and emerging talented people from our region and the Alliance recognises the importance of continuing to foster and encourage our people in the field of the Arts”    

Michele Donovan

CEO, Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council   

Michele is a Gumbaynggirr (Nambucca Heads) woman. She has previous experience as a community worker, teaching with TAFE CHEC and working with the Nambucca Shire Council.     

Michele enjoys being involved at the grassroots level in assisting with community capacity building, employment opportunities and being a positive role model for her community. She has pride in her Gumbaynggirr culture and heritage and is very proud of the achievements within her community and for herself personally. She also loves being a member of the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance.    

Nathan Moran

CEO, Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Council     

Nathan has recently been appointed CEO of Birpai LALC. He is a proud Goori descendant of the Biripai and Dhungutti nations of the Mid North Coast of NSW.   

He has previously worked with the AECG, Birpai LALC as an Education Officer, Property Manager and Office Manager and with the Aboriginal Housing Office as a Training and Support Coordinator and Assistant Regional Manager.     

Nathan has a keen interest in Goori culture, heritage and LORE, as well as British Law. He enjoys all sports; rugby league, rugby, cricket and basketball, but most of all surfing.    

Guy Jones

CEO, Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council    

Guy is a Birpai man from New South Wales. He currently resides in Port Macquarie with his wife Megan and three children, Indiana, Meadow and Harrison.    

Prior to his current incarnation, he was located on the Queensland Gold Coast where he worked in the local Murri Community, being part of the reforms to the Parliamentary process through the ‘Hands on Parliament’ program. He was also an advisor to a number of State members of Parliament on Aboriginal issues. His main role was as the designer of a Prevention Diversion Rehabilitation and Education program, which was aimed at the reduction of youth incarceration, recidivism and self harm.    

Glen Rennie

CEO, Purfleet Taree Local Aboriginal Land Council    

Glen is a proud Kamilaroi man having been bought up in Coonabarabran NSW. He moved to the Mid North Coast in the early 80s whilst still returning home annually. He returned to education as an adult and completed an Associate Diploma of Social Sciences at Port Macquarie and from there began employment in Government agencies. In 1998 he accepted a management position within Biripi Aboriginal Centre running a State wide service to assist Aboriginal youth transition out of State care to independence. Marungbai grew to four offices across NSW and auspiced both State and Federal programs.    

In 2008 Glen accepted a redundancy from Biripi and commenced employment with Purfleet Taree Local Aboriginal Land Council as the CEO. Since then, Glen has recommenced schooling and is currently studying a BA majoring in Political Science and Sociology with UNE. Since accepting the role of CEO Glen has sat on the Directorship of the Saltwater Freshwater Alliance.    

Sheree Drylie

CEO, Forster Local Aboriginal Land Council   

Sheree is a proud Darkinjung/Wiradjuri woman and is the current CEO at Forster Local Aboriginal Lands Council. Sheree has tertiary qualifications in business, community services and training with extensive experience in developing Aboriginal business both as an Aboriginal business owner and as the previous Aboriginal Enterprise Development Officer for the Mid North Coast.   

 Sheree is an experienced facilitator and mentor with many national Indigenous conferences such as Straight Talk to her credit. Sheree believes that education is the way forward for Indigenous Australia and is dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting our culture for the future generations.    

Dave Feeney

CEO, Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council    

Dave is a Worimi man from Karuah. He has worked with LALCs for the past 15 years and has previously worked for National Parks and Wildlife, Western Australia Mines, the Australian Army and was also an Oyster Farmer.    

Dave’s personal interests include golf, fishing, camping and antiques. We are excited to have Dave and the Karuah LALC on board with the Alliance.    

Deal Roberts

CEO, Thungutti Local Aboriginal Land Council    

Deal is a Dunghutti/Bundjalung woman from Kempsey. She has worked with Local Aboriginal Land Councils for the past six years and has previously worked for Centrelink, DEST (now Dept Education, Employment and Workplace Relations) and in the community housing arena.  

Deal’s personal interests include netball, rugby league, beach, camping and just relaxing.  

Vacant

CEO, Bowraville Local Aboriginal Land Council