In 2010, a group of concerned people, Aunty Sue Blacklock, Paula Hayden, and Gill Bonser, came together due to their deep concern about the number of Aboriginal children in Out-of-Home Care and the lack of support for Aboriginal families. They were driven by a passion and determination to see change and better outcomes for Aboriginal Kids, Families, and Communities. Karen Menzies joined and was followed by Flic Ryan. This team was headed by Aunty Sue Blacklock and later included Clayton Blacklock.

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The team were guided and supported in developing the Aboriginal Kinship Care assessment tool by an Aboriginal reference group comprised of Aboriginal practitioners and leaders, including Noni Greenwood (then Chair of Winangay). The reference group included Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal academics. The Winangay Aboriginal Kinship Care tool was validated in 2010 by Dr Marilyn McHugh and Professor Marianne Berry (Director of the Hawke Institute, Australian Centre for Child Protection) and launched by Dawn Wallam Chair of SNAICC in November 2011 at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence. 

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The tools are trauma informed, strength based culturally safe they are infused by Aboriginal knowledge wisdom and world views and have strong evidence base. 

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Over the years the team has changed and more recently Aunty Sue Blacklock retired in June 2021, Clayton Blacklock resigned in January 2021 and was followed by Gill Bonser in February 2021.

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​Founding members:

• Aunty Sue Blacklock, original Chair 2014-2021

• Dr Karen Menzies, original Vice Chair 2014-2023
• Paula Hayden, original Public Officer 2014-2024
• Gillian Bonser, original Treasurer 2014-2021

Former members:

• Clayton Blacklock, member 2016-2021

• Noni Greenwood, former Vice Chair and Chair 2016-2022

• Michelle Foster, former Vice Chair 2022-2022

• Kim Squires, former Treasurer 2020-2024

• Wade Mahoney, member 2022-2022