Olivia Walker
Editor in Chief
Dan Mitchell
Assistant Manager
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Noah Patterson
Programming Editor
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Tess Anderson
Art Director
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Our Mob
Shannon is a Gumbaynggirr woman from the Mid-North Coast of NSW with family and bloodline connections to Bundjalung, Tiwi Islands and Dunghutti countries. Shannon has been working in the child protection and out-of-home care sector for 20 years and has developed a unique blend of practice, cultural and cross-cultural knowledge, and leadership experience for which she is highly regarded.
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Shannon has a strong contemporary working knowledge of the child protection and care system as an Aboriginal practitioner and senior leader and is currently the State Director of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Practice and Partnerships at Life Without Barriers.
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Shannon’s Board experience includes being the director and deputy chair of Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council from March 2016 to January 2023. While in the director and deputy chairperson role, Shannon has participated in legislative, policy, and procedure reform across several industries. She has worked for many years to build robust relationships, enabling her to give frank advice and contribute to written submissions about how legislation, policy and procedures infringe upon Aboriginal Cultural Responsibility and Rights to Community and Country (Land, Waters and Airspace), and the protection of critically endangered migratory species of both fauna & flora.
Shannon Mackie
Winangay Chair
Debbie Hind
Winangay Vice-Chair
To be updated
Luke Barnes
Winangay Public Officer
Luke is a proud Gomeroi man, currently residing on the South Coast of NSW. Luke has been working in the child protection and out-of-home care sector for 10 years and for the past 3 years has been applying his skills in the Disability and Mental Health sector while also providing cultural education in the NSW Department of Education.
Luke has developed a strong reputation, presence and knowledge base that have made him a leader and powerful cultural voice in his work with Aboriginal people, families, and communities.
​Luke has acquired a wealth of cultural knowledge and practice which are key components in his role at Winangay Resources as Public Officer and Life Without Barriers National Lead of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Practice.
Luke has learnt and practiced culture all over Australia, learning from knowledge holders across the nation, most notably showcased in his involvement in Cultural dance and education with Dinawans Connection and Galumaay, and then using this knowledge to implement In his work in the child protection and disability sector.
Luke is a new addition to our board and is his first appointment as a board member, Luke adds a new level of enthusiasm and passion to the board, and we welcome him to continue to drive change in our work with Aboriginal children, families, and communities.
Jason Dowie
To be updated.
Winangay Treasurer
Kate Goodwin
Winangay Member
Kate is a proud Muruwari woman with connections to Weilmoringle and Goodooga in Northwestern NSW but calls the lands of the Dharawal people in Southwest Sydney home. With over 12 years of experience in the out-of-home care sector, Kate has dedicated much of her career to supporting vulnerable individuals and carers and advocating for better outcomes for our people.
Kate’s career has included supporting vulnerable youth and male offenders, having previously worked with the Department of Communities and Justice, Corrective Services, and Juvenile Justice for 5+ years.
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Kate is particularly passionate about addressing and reducing the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system and out-of-home care sector.
As the Operations Manager for Statewide Support at Life without Barriers, Kate leverages her experience to enhance the productivity and outcomes of the diverse range of programs she manages.
Michele Laurie
Winangay Member
Michele identifies lives as a strong and grounded Yaegl/Gumbaynggirr nyami (“Woman” in Gumbaynggirr)-accepted and living on Bundjalung jugun (Country).
She has many years of formal learning and experience within the human and community services and child protection. Her practice and relationships are centered around her cultural ways of knowing, being and doing. Michele has completed a Graduate Certificate in Human and Community Services (Interpersonal Trauma) and is currently undertaking her Masters in Business Administration.
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Michele champions social justice and works hard to increase equality & equity for First Peoples. Systems change, institutional racism and discrimination are areas that are important areas for agitation and change.
Michele brings a rich, deep cultural practice of respect, reciprocal relationships, Dadirri, protocol, community obligations and responsibilities. Michele believes it is a privilege to work with communities and be a part of their journeys of change and empowerment.
"Our Children and Young Peoples Lives Matter".