Association Management Committee

Raymond Ingrey

President

Ray Ingrey is a Dharawal and Dunghutti person from the La Perouse Aboriginal community on the northern arm of Kamay (Botany Bay), and the current Treasurer of the Eastern Suburbs Local AECG.

Ray first became a member of the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc in 2000 and has held executive positions with his local and regional AECG. Ray was the Executive Officer of the NSW AECG Inc from 2008 – 2013.

Ray has also been leading language reclamation program in his community for over 23 years and believes it’s important “our young ones grow up with a solid cultural foundation and become strong with who they are and where they belong” which will put them on the right path in achieving any goal they set in the future. Ray is also a Board member of the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust.

Anne Dennis

Vice President

Anne Dennis is a Gamilaraay woman living in Walgett and a strong advocate for Aboriginal people in the North West NSW.

Anne understands the importance of a quality education needed in today’s society which inspired her to become a teacher. Anne has been involved in the NSW AECG Inc. for many years as an active member of her Local and Regional AECG and was formally recognised when give the status of Life Membership within the organisation.

Anne is also involved in other Aboriginal organisations which allows her to advocate on behalf of her people ensuring that the needs and aspirations of the community are heard.

Patricia (Trish) Daniel

Treasurer

Trish is a proud Bidjigal/Wandi Wandian woman with strong family connections to La Perouse and Nowra. Trish is a permanent Aboriginal Education Officer at Busby Public School.

Trish lives on Darug Country (and Wiradjuri Country when not at work).  She’s a proud mother of 1 daughter and 1 grandson whom Trish has always encouraged both to be strong in their Aboriginal culture and identity.

Trish has been actively involved in AECG at varying levels for over 15 years and is currently a full financial member of Liverpool LAECG after numerous years of holding executive positions on LLAECG, Vice President, of Mil-Pra (Met South West) 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.

Leigh Ridgeway

Member

Leigh is a member of the Worimi Nation from Port Stephens who speak the Gathang language. Since becoming involved in the NSW AECG 28 years ago, Leigh has realised the importance of education not only Aboriginal people but non-Aboriginal people as well.

“Since being involved within Aboriginal Education for over 38 years, 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”.

“As a proud Worimi man, my vision is to work with our whole community, not just Aboriginal parents and children, to give them a better understanding of our history and strength to foster the needs of Aboriginal education for future generations”.

Leigh has been the Chairperson of Worimi LALC for 17 years, is a Board Member of Worimi Conservation Lands, President of Youyoung Local AECG for 25 years, President of Manning Regional AECG for 20 years, and AMC Member of NSW AECG Inc.

Leigh became a Life Member of the NSW AECG in 2015.

Lesley Armstrong

Member

Lesley is a Yuin woman from the South Coast of NSW and has been involved in Aboriginal Education for over 35 years within her role as an AEO, Life Member of the NSW AECG Lesley has held Muru Bulbi Local and Central Coast 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’s grandmother was a Page & Cooley from La Perouse, and her father was Les Chapman from Batemans Bay. 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.

Troy Freeburn

Member

Troy Freeburn is a Bundjalung and Yaegl man raised in Casino. He has worked in the Department of Education space for over 25 years in many capacities from schools, youth work and AECG roles.

Troy is involved within community in a range a leadership roles; varying from assistant Pastor of a local church, Djanangmum local AECG, Vice president Upper North Coast Regional AECG, member of the board of Directors Casino RSM Club, Buyinbin Aboriginal Corporation and active community events planning member in partnership with Richmond Valley Council and Aboriginal Interagency.

Troy is a full financial active member of Djanangmum Local AECG, and is actively involved within community in numerous committees. He is a member of Buyinbin Aboriginal Corporation, Boslangle Local Aboriginal Land Council, Richmond Valley Community Events Team, Richmond Valley Council, Aboriginal Interagency, Director Casino RSM Club, Casino Youth Steering Committee and Assistant Pastor of Heartlands Community Church.

Troy enjoys being an advocate for community, encouraging the embedding of local perspectives and voice with the aim to strengthen partnerships.

Doreen Peters

Member

Doreen Peters is a proud Gamilaraay woman from Walgett, Gamilaroi Nation, being an advocate for Aboriginal people across all spectrums.

She has been a member of the NSW AECG AMC since 2025. Doreen brings a wealth of knowledge in policy, training & development, building & maintaining positive & genuine government and community relationships.

Doreen has worked for Federal and State Government Departments for 52 years, working in Aboriginal communities across NSW during these years.

Since 2022, Doreen holds the position of Senior Leader, Community College High School in Walgett. She also has held the positions of Vice President of Walgett Local AECG and Vice President of North West 1 Regional AECG since 2022. She supports all students to reach their potential of schooling and future pathways.

As a newly elected councillor of the Walgett Shire Council, she has a strong voice for all constituents, particularly Aboriginal people living across the Shire.

Brooke Kennedy

Member

Brooke is a Gomeroi Yinarr (Kamilaroi) woman from Tamworth.

Brooke is President of Tamworth Local AECG, and Vice President of North West 2 Regional AECG.

Brooke has worked as an SLSO and AEO for the Department of Education, in the Aboriginal Employment space with the New Careers for Aboriginal People (NCAP) Program and is now a senior lecturer in Anthrozoology and Indigenous knowledge at the University of New England.

Brooke is also a board member for Southern New England Landcare.