Janette Blainey BA Dip Ed
Janette is Co-founder and Executive Director of the Earth Trust. Her background is in education, community development and intercultural communication. Her work with Custodial Peoples in Australia and the Pacific for over fifty years has helped inform her collaborative way of working, in communities and in business.
Janette is committed to building communities on a local and global level and to having the perspectives of Custodial Elders be included in the development of policies and practical solutions at all levels.
Her particular focus is in having traditional custodial wisdom inform the care and protection of natural resources and environmental management, or as they may prefer to say in ‘Caring for Country’.
Brynnie Goodwill JD AB
Brynnie is passionate about caring for the Earth and all living beings by connecting people to one another and the land.
With a background in law, Brynnie has worked over several decades building innovative ventures that contribute to sustainability, social equity and self-determination.
Brynnie serves as Deputy Chair of the Board of the Australian College for Rural and Remote Medicine and Non-Executive Director of the Sydney North Health Network.
She currently resides on Wonnaruah / Darkinyung Country where she and her partner Keith grow food organically and host community-building workshops on their property Kawalang.
Lana Kelly
Lana is a Gumbaynggirr descendant of Yaegl, Dunghutti and Yuin Ancestral bloodlines. She is committed to continuing the work of her parents, respected Elders Uncle Larry Kelly and Aunty Elaine Walker.
Lana has over 25 years of experience in public administration in NSW. Currently she leads state-wide strategic operational programs for HealthShare NSW, in recruitment, pathways and retention of Aboriginal staff. Lana is skilled in Restorative Justice, Conflict Management Coaching and Cultural Awareness training.
Like her parents Lana is passionate about how the natural environment (Country) and culture can support physical, social, mental and spiritual wellbeing of people and how respect for all life as One, contributes to the care of Country.
Melinda Walker BSW(Hons)
Melinda is a Gumbaynggirr woman who continues to carry out family and cultural responsibilities on Country. Twenty years of experience in the sector of Child and Family Services in both government and non-government organisations.
Currently Melinda works as Wellness Coordinator with Mujaay Ganma Foundation, working to provide cultural support for people affected by cancer and those facing ‘end of life’ and is also Senior Aboriginal Health Worker – Palliative Care at Macksville Hospital where her thesis on ‘Walking with Grief’ is helping inform the work that she does.
Melinda is passionate about helping people experience the place that Country has in family and community wellbeing.