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Association Management Committee 2022

Catherine Trindall

President

Catherine Trindall is a Gomeroi woman with more than 30 years of experience working in Aboriginal education in NSW. She has been awarded the highest of recognition by the NSW AECG when she was formally inducted as an NSW AECG Life Member in 2018.

She began her work in education in 1985 as the first Aboriginal Teaching Assistant in Tamworth before becoming a primary trained teacher. Catherine has extensively taught both in the city, rural and remote areas of NSW, where she has held many roles and positions across the Department of Education.
Catherine is the current Deputy Chair and Ministerial appointee to the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust Board. More recently she has undertaken a considerable body of work in leading and coordinating NSW TAFE’s work around the teaching and learning of Aboriginal Languages.
In March 2021 Catherine was formally elected to the position of NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. President.

Leigh Ridgeway

Vice President

Leigh is a member of the Worimi tribal group from Port Stephens who speak the Gattang language. Since becoming involved in the NSW AECG, Leigh has realised the importance of education not only Aboriginal people but non-Aboriginal people as well. “Since being involved with Aboriginal Education, I have made it my business to educate the wider community in my area. Aboriginal Education is everybody’s business: let’s make a difference to give children a better start to life”. Leigh became a Life Member of the NSW AECG in 2015.

Narelle Daniels

Secretary

Narelle Daniels is currently employed as Head Teacher Aboriginal Education – Sydney Secondary College, this role covers all 3 campuses.  This role not only covers Aboriginal students but all facets of Aboriginal Education within the College.

It is Narelle’s belief that we should never stop in holding the Department of Education, NESA, the Independent Sector, Catholic Education and both Federal and NSW Governments accountable for the many ways they have failed us. The bare minimum they offer has never been nor will be acceptable. Narelle is a passionate advocate for the incorporation of Aboriginal content into all parts of the Curriculum and believes that not only does “Aboriginal Education Matter” but “Aboriginal Education is Everyone’s Business.” She always likes to remember the history of our organisation (AECG) and think of the many volunteers involved in it’s beginnings. The original Warriors for Aboriginal Education, for they are the bedrock of our organisation.  She  hopes “I am able to be as effective as they were”.

Patricia Daniel

Treasurer

Trish is a proud Bidjigal/Wandi Wandian woman with strong family connections to La Perouse and Nowra.  She is a permanent Aboriginal Education Officer at Busby Public School and is currently relieving as Executive Assistant to the President, NSW AECG Inc.  Trish lives on Darug Country (and Wiradjuri Country when not at work).  She’s a proud mother of 1 daughter whom she has always encouraged to be strong in her Aboriginal culture and identity. Trish has been actively involved in AECG at varying levels for over 15 years and is currently the President of Liverpool Local AECG, Treasurer of Mil-Pra Regional AECG and Treasurer of NSW AECG Inc.  She strongly believes education empowers and Aboriginal education does matter, and it definitely is everybody’s business.

Lesley Armstrong

Member

Lesley is a Yuin woman from the South Coast of NSW and has been involved in Aboriginal Education for over 30 years within her role as an AEO, Life Member of the NSW AECG, Lesley has held Local and Regional President’s position for over 20 years. Currently residing on the Central Coast Lesley has strong family connections to the La Perouse and South Coast Communities. Lesley has worked as an Aboriginal Education Officer at Gorokan High School and has seen the Central Coast Aboriginal community grow from strength to strength. Lesley believes that getting Aboriginal people engaged in education will only better the next generations’ educational opportunities that would then build success.

Desmond Barton

Member

Adrian Bell 

Member

Adrian is a Wiradjuri man who is off country and currently lives and works on Thaua lands of the Yuin nation on the far south coast of NSW. He has had almost 40 years of service to public education, with the last 20 years as a secondary school principal before retiring last year as Principal of Eden Marine High School. He currently works part-time for the Aboriginal Outcomes and Partnerships Directorates on several significant projects. Adrian has had a distinguished career and his leadership in Aboriginal Education has been recognised by his community and his peers. He has been awarded a Regional Award for contributions to public education, a NSW Department of Education Nanga Mai Award for Outstanding Leadership in Aboriginal Education and a NSW Secondary Principals Award for Excellence in Leadership. He was recently awarded Life Membership of the NSW Secondary Principals Council.

Since retiring, Adrian has focussed more of his time on supporting the local Eden AECG and the Far South Coast Regional AECG as their Delegate. He hopes that his experience and the support of his community will assist the NSW AECG in their constant battle to make a difference for all our First Nations young ones, our staff and our communities across the state.

 

Elizabeth Majoros

Member

Elizabeth Majoros is currently working and living on Gamilaroi Country.

She has long term experience in the AECG from local, regional, and now state AECG AMC membership. In her belief that Aboriginal education is community centred, acknowledgement of the many facets and Peoples’ that must be given, and it is their journey that guide her. Education is a great connector of past, present and futures. As a Head Teacher, Elizabeth works with management, in a collaborative approach across the Northwest region as a connector. While she uses technologies well, community needs for face to face are never forgotten.

As a member of the AMC, she is looking forward to engaging with all levels of education for a deeper understanding of the spheres of influence outside of community.

Raylene Weldon

Member

Raylene Weldon is a proud Gomeroi / Wiradjuri / Wayilwan, First Nation women. She is passionate about Aboriginal Education and creating equity within a cultural lens of integrity. She’s been employed by the Department of Education since 1997 as an Aboriginal Education Officer and have been an AECG member since 1996. Throughout her employment history she’s seen the continuous growth and changed mindset towards Aboriginal Education within the curriculum, community, and systemic structures, which has been led by NSW AECG and delivered at the grass root levels by passionate volunteers who strive for better outcomes and opportunity for our First Nation Peoples and students we serve.

Raylene is motivated to be the agent of change through equity, equality and integrity which will enable our people to have a valued position within society. Raylene envisions transformation and growth for our communities.

 

Acknowledgement of Country

The NSW AECG Inc. acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners of this nation. We also acknowledge past, present and emerging Elders  and the continuation and celebration of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Please note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should also be aware that this website may contain images or names of people who have passed away.

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