The Board

Kaley Nicholson

Chair

As Chairperson of the TLaWC Board of Directors, Kaley is committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for the Taungurung nation. She is passionate about caring for Country, employment, and education – seeing these pillars as the key to strengthening the position of Traditional Owners, while advancing the cultural rights and economic development of Taungurung people.

Kaley is focused on ensuring that Elders are respected and elevated in decision making, that young people are empowered and have a voice, and that there are opportunities in place for future generations.

Isobel Morphy-Walsh

Deputy Chair

Isobel is a proud Taungurung woman who loves her land, her culture and community. She has a strong voice and always looks out for Elders, children, women and Country. Isobel has placed protecting, promoting and healing Victorian countries, peoples and languages into every part of her life.

Aunty Loraine Padgham

Director

Loraine is a member of the Nira ballug clan and has a commitment to preserve and honour her Taungurung heritage. A former TCAC Board member, Loraine supports the wider Indigenous community through her membership of the Victorian Government’s Placenames Committee, an Elder on Melbourne University Indigenous Advisory Committee, and as a member of the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee.

Loraine’s objective as a Board member is to continue TLaWC’s work in promoting cultural heritage and language, and to promote a better understanding and appreciation by the wider community for the rich legacy forged by those who occupied and cared for the land through the millennia.

Aunty Jacqui Stewart

Director

Jacqui is a Taungurung Elder and has extensive experience delivering welcomes to country, and participating in cultural consultations. Jacqui enjoys taking part in cultural and community activities and has participated in the annual Kulin Nation’s Tanderrum event. Jacqui also provides services as an Aboriginal Elder for the Koori Courts of Victoria.

Marcus Stewart

Director

Marcus Stewart is a Nira illim bulluk man of the Taungurung Nation. He is a seasoned negotiator and strategist and has held several senior management positions. He has helped implement a number of strategies and policies through senior roles in State Government and as a previous TLaWC CEO. His broad understanding of politics, policy and the challenges facing Traditional Owners gives Marcus the ability to lead and be a voice of change. He believes Traditional Owners should be at the forefront of the decision-making process for self-determination and achieving economic independence.

Alex Burns

Director

Alex is a proud Nira-Balluk Man of the Taungurung Nation. He is an experienced and qualified director having held several board roles across a variety of organisations and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). He is a risk and governance professional working within the financial industry with additional experience and expertise in economic development, corporate partnerships, tenders, and recruitment. He is passionate about self-determination, culture, the economic prosperity of First Peoples and the advancement of a First Nations led economy.

Aunty Patsy Smith

Director

Patsy is one of our longest serving Board members and has spent more than ten years as amember of the TLaWC Board.
Patsy is an accomplished creative artist, photographer and sculptor, and has participated in many art installations and community events, as well as being the founding director of Baluk Arts. Patsy has contributed greatly to TLaWC over many years.

Grant Hansen

Director

Grant has been on the TLaWC Board as Chairperson and Director. A Taungurung man, he’s recognised as a strong leader and activist in the media and entertainment sector for all Aboriginal people. Grant’s skills, knowledge and connections have been gained from 40 years of working with community and in Indigenous affairs.