Learning from Lived Experience Leaders Workshop - Day 1:

Emeritus Professor Judy Atkinson (Co-Convenor)

Emeritus Professor Judy Atkinson is a Jiman (central west Queensland) and Bundjalung (northern New South Wales) woman, with Anglo-Celtic and German heritage. Her academic contributions to the understanding of trauma related issues stemming from the violence of colonisation and the healing/recovery of Indigenous peoples from such trauma has won her the Carrick Neville Bonner Award in 2006 for her curriculum development and innovative teaching practice. In 2011 she was awarded the Fritz Redlick Memorial Award for Human Rights and Mental Health from the Harvard University program for refugee trauma. Her book ‘Trauma Trails – Recreating Songlines: The transgenerational effects of trauma in Indigenous Australia’, provides context to the life stories of people who have been moved from their country in a process that has created trauma trails, and the changes that can occur in the lives of people as they make connection with each other and share their stories of healing.

Bianca Stawiarski (Co-Convenor)

Bianca Stawiarski, a proud Badimia and Ukrainian woman, is a centred and purpose-driven healer, mental health and Indigenous Healing practitioner, facilitator, coach, international co-author, author, change maker and speaker. She is a PACFA Mental Health Practitioner whose qualifications include a Masters in Counselling Practice, Diploma of Life Coaching, Post grad. Diploma of Counselling, Certificate in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, and Bachelor of Aboriginal studies.

Bianca is the founder of Warida Wholistic Wellness, and BilaEmpower. She's dedicated to healing through a First Nations lens, improving mental health, Indigenous Healing practices and economic empowerment through entrepreneurship. Her approach integrates her innate Indigenous knowledge, knowledge of healing combined with entrepreneurship to empower women and communities. Bianca is recognised for her work in shifting away from western medical models of dysfunction, instead focusing on healing outside of four walls. Part of this approach embraces the ethos of: gudu-guduwa (coming together) through ngardi Guwanda (listening, feeling, thinking strongly), relationship, and connection.

Bianca's PhD research explores whether a local community-led circular research model can positively contribute to the outcomes of women's empowerment programs for entrepreneurship. Bianca hopes that the outcomes from her 'We hold our own Answers' research will empower First Nations communities to choose their own paths. A published author and international multiple award-winning entrepreneur, she's committed to creating community change.

Gina O’Neil (she/her)

Gina is a descendant of Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitane (Aotearoa, NZ), Ireland and Germany, currently living and working on unceded Eora and Bundjalung lands in Australia. Gina is a PACFA-registered clinical psychotherapist, educator and supervising consultant (Master Gestalt Therapy, Grad Dip Couns., Cert. Ecotherapy and B App. Soc Sci). She has 20 years clinical experience supporting individuals, families and groups presenting with substance and process addictions, mental health, relationship issues and other trauma-related experiences. Gina has worked in private psychiatric clinical settings, NGOs and public health settings as a therapist and clinical manager and in the past 8 years as a supervisor, lecturer/trainer, clinical specialist in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation sector and is in private practice. She is currently a member of the PACFA College of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Practices (CATSIHP) and member of the PACFA research committee. She has completed studies in working with trauma, Indigenous models of care and recently ecotherapy. As Gina is a NZ Māori woman, her interest is in growing her Indigenous healing practice informed by Te Ao Māori in reciprocity with the natural world, and the intersection with gestalt psychotherapy to support connection and healing of the relationship with people and our environment.

Dr Gavin Morris

Gavin has two decades of teaching experience in schools around Australia and currently lectures in undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the College of Education at Charles Darwin University. Gavin’s experience and interests relate to Indigenous research and he has developed significant relationships with many Aboriginal communities throughout the Northern Territory. Gavin holds a Bachelor of Education from James Cook University (Townsville, Queensland), a Master of Education from the University of Sydney (Sydney, New South Wales) and a PhD from Charles Darwin University (Darwin, Northern Territory).

JudyKaye Nungala Knox

JudyKaye is a Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay woman (SW QLD/NW NSW border), with family roots in the Kooma and Manandanji peoples (SW QLD) and adopted by the Waramungu/Kaytetye people (NT Barkly region). JudyKaye has relocated to Tennant Creek to deliver for the Barkly Regional Deal, Culturally Informed Trauma Integrated Healing Approach (CITIHA) training packages. This initiative is to enable workers to skilfully respond to the needs of local communities. She also delivers informal workshops to local communities and schools; and offers counselling support. She believes in facilitating an atmosphere that invites creative activities and conversations for change. JudyKaye is grounded in over 23 years of extensive experience in the field of trauma and trauma recovery, community development and education ranging from teaching in primary schools through to lecturing at University.

JudyKaye lectured/facilitated the Masters of Indigenous Studies (SCU 2004-2012). JudyKaye has worked in case management, counselling, therapeutic group work, family wellbeing and trauma therapy for families and communities in remote, rural and urban settings. JudyKaye headed a ‘Crisis Response Team’ addressing community distress throughout Australia and has delivered trauma and recovery training/workshops in Timor Leste and PNG. She is a registered PACFA practitioner and We Al-li’s longest serving facilitator. She holds a Masters in Indigenous Studies - Wellbeing, which she then taught into for 9 years at SCU and also taught a Diploma in Community Recovery. She is a Certified NLP Practitioner/Coach; Certified TimeLine Therapy Practitioner.

Tod Stokes (Affiliate member)

Tod has extensive experience in supporting behaviour change in men impacted by trauma, that use violence. He is a highly experienced Indigenous Healing Practitioner, who currently is Academic Co-Lead, First Nations Education and Engagement School of Psychology for the University of Adelaide. As a trauma-informed / Culturally integrated counsellor, Tod specialises with clients who have shown a propensity to use violence in their daily struggle with the rules and regulation imposed by mainstream society. Tod makes a huge impact in this role through supporting his clients to be more open with their emotions and to embrace their Cultural roots. Tod holds a Diploma in Mental Health and a Diploma of Narrative Approaches for Aboriginal People.

Rayleen Councillor (Critical Friend)

Rayleen is a Karrajarri, Naaguja Woman with connections to the Wajarri, Binjareb and the Wongatha peoples. Rayleen has individually experienced physical, emotional and spiritual hardships and using these life experiences, coupled with formal education, she has developed a strong commitment to contributing to the healing of others. Rayleen has worked in the Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health space for many years and brings her life skills and Cultural Knowledge in ways of practicing & being in the space of healing.