The Warraan Widji Arts Board
The Warraan Widji Arts Board consists of a group of committed volunteers who work collaboratively to grow a collective vision for our local Aboriginal community in Warren. There are currently eight directors on the board. 100% of the Board consists of Aboriginal people.
In addition to formal qualifications, more than half of our Board members have decades of experience working with children and youth, particularly the youth of Warren. Three directors are the elected executive of the Warren Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG).
The strong connections of the Board with community build capacity to grow a collective vision.
2023 Board members
2026 Board of Directors
Nettie Slade (nee Miller)- Wayilwan Elder with strong family connections to the Beemunnel, Warren - Chair (relieving) - early childhood worker for 20 years - Active member of the Warren local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) - Aboriginal school learning support officer (SLSO) at the local public school.
Tracy June Hawkes (nee Darcy) - Wayilwan Elder with family connections to the Beemunnel, Warren - retired Aboriginal Education Resource Teacher (AERT) and Primary school (K-6) teacher of 40 years at the local public school – President Warren local AECG. June represented Aboriginal teachers at the state level for the NSW Teachers Federation for over twenty years.
Danielle Flakelar (nee Carney) - Wayilwan - Danielle is from the Maliyan-ga Ngurra (Macquarie Marshes). In 2007 Danielle joined the Macquarie Marshes Environmental Flow Reference Group, a precursor to the Environmental Water Advisory Group for the Murray Darling Basin Authority. Since 2009 she has worked for the NSW government as Manager of Aboriginal Joint Management and Cultural Heritage (NSW Department of Environment and Heritage). Danielle is a member of the Centre for Ecosystem Science (University of NSW) team as the Flow-MER Cultural Outcomes Lead. She is also founder of the Wayilwan Aboriginal Corporation Group.
Phyllis Oates – Wayilwan with strong family connections to the Beemunnel, Warren - Secretary - Wayilwan language tutor - Certificate III Aboriginal Community Languages (Wayilwan) (TAFENSW) - WWA/Early childhood, child and youth worker of 25 years in Warren, Aboriginal Education Officer (AEO) (K-6) at the local public school - Treasurer Warren local AECG.
Amber Gordon - Gamilaraay with family connections to the Beemunnel, Warren - Early Childhood educator
Matthew Hall - Wayilwan with srong family connections to the Beemunnel, Warren - grandson of Charlotte Hall, pivotal in ensuring the protection of local Wayilwan cultural heritage (1970’s-1980’s) - father of four talented Wayilwan children - employee with Essential Energy, Warren.
Shaana Daley - Wiradjuri with family connections to local Warren Wayilwan Elders - raised in Warren on Wayilwan Country - Certificate IV in Mental Health - Aboriginal Domestic Family & Sexual Violence Support Worker with Catholic Care, Warren.
Chris Crisp (nee Hall) - Wiradjuri - Treasurer - Wayilwan language tutor- Certificate III Aboriginal Community Languages (Wayilwan) (TAFENSW) – Wayilwan tutor - Retired preschool teacher of over 40 years - Preschool Director in Warren (2006 - 2018), improving opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal children in Warren - Secretary Warren Local AECG
Jerome Shepherd - Wayilwan and Wiradjuri - with strong family connections to the Beemunnel. Jerome is recognised for his research skills and extesnsive knowledge of local Aboriginal family history, including that of the Beemunnel Reserve Aboriginal Place. Jerome is currently completing a traineeship in Business Administration with Warren Shire Council. Jerome is a gifted musician, tutored through Warraan Widji Arts. Jerome is a sought after mc for public events.
Executive Officer
Karlene Irving - BA DipEd (University of Sydney) MEd (Teacher Librarianship) (Charles Sturt University) Certificate III Aboriginal Community Languages (Wayilwan) (TAFENSW) - 30 years experience in local Aboriginal community and education - Secondary HSIE teacher (NESA accredited) - Head Teacher Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Centre (AL&EC) at the local public school - Wayilwan language tutor/Stage 4 Aboriginal Language teacher (Target language - Wayilwan) - Warraan Widji Arts Building Project Manager (2023) - Councillor Warren Shire Council 2016-2021