Peta is an experienced educator in the Northern Rivers, teaching young people and working with families to help students reach their full potential. A former career in broadcasting, in Australia and internationally, brings a full suite of media and communications skills to WHNR. A proud feminist, Peta is committed to ensuring the best outcomes for women and children across the Bundjalung region.

Gabrielle is an Aboriginal woman from the Bundjalung Nation with over 20 years experience working alongside her communities in positions that includes community development, youth work, reconciliation, casework, project management, advocacy and policy development. Gabrielle has recently completed a Graduate Program fast tracking her career within the Australian Public Service where she is now appointed as an Assistant Director where she continues to represent her people as a senior policy actor.

Shantala considers herself an intersectional feminist and believes in working towards dismantling misogyny and patriarchal systems. Her feminism actively includes women of colour, trans women, sex workers, queer women and differently abled women. Her working life spans the banking and finance sector, running an outdoor education business, teaching and for the last ten years working for Corrective Services NSW. During this time she has taken on numerous leadership roles across the department that include the management of Community Corrections offices from Tweed Heads to Grafton. This, as well as recently completing her master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice, has given her a unique perspective on the impact and sources of men’s violence against women, a cause she has a passion for addressing. Shantala is grateful to live and work on Bundjalung land.

Jane has worked in Community Services for Non-Government Organisations for 30 years. Jane’s career included Women’s Refuge Work in Victoria for 13 years, Family Services Work back in NSW for 5 years and as Manager/Executive Officer at Penrith Women’s Health Centre from 2011 and lastly some contract work for Women’s Health NSW before retiring from the workforce in 2021.

Amy is Northern Rivers Community Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle Coordinator. She has been involved in local women’s networks for many years as the previous coordinator of Sourdough Business Women. Amy is also an advocate for local farmers, chefs and food and beverage producers. She has a Master of Gastronomic Tourism and believes supporting our local producers is the key to helping communities thrive for locals and visitors alike.

Jess is an Endorsed Midwife with over 30 years experience in health, including midwifery continuity of care, education, research & project management.  Jess is deeply committed to midwifery care that is trauma-informed, culturally responsive & in partnership with women. She has a Masters in Midwifery, specialising in leadership & management.  Jess currently works for NSW Health as a Clinical Midwifery Specialist supporting Aboriginal women & families across the Richmond Valley, on beautiful Bundjalung Country.

Jo is a senior research fellow at the University Centre for Rural Health in Lismore. She has been a health researcher for over 20 years and is passionate about improving the health of rural communities. Her research has focused on how best to support women to stop smoking in pregnancy, and on climate change and health. Her voluntary work as well as some of her most recent research has explored community-led grassroots climate resilience groups (most often led by women) in the Northern Rivers and their contributions to health and wellbeing.