Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative is governed by a seven-member board elected by members.
Paula Murray, Director
Paula joined the Board in 2014. She grew up in Bendigo, but her family is from the Hawkesbury region in NSW andshe is a proud Dharug woman. She is currently the executive officer at the Loddon Mallee Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee within the Department of Justice. Paula has a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from Melbourne University and practised as a solicitor for 10 years.
Nicola Perry, Director
A proud Ngarrindjeri woman, Nicola grew up in Swan Hill and lived there with her children until moving to Bendigo in 2019. Nicola works for Department of Premier & Cabinet as an Aboriginal Community Development Broker, prior to this she worked for Department of Justice & Community Safety as a LAJAC Project Officer and as RAJAC Executive Officer. Previously, Nicola was a Director for Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) for 3 years. She has much experience working and volunteering on community committees such as NAIDOC committees in Swan Hill and Bendigo, Aboriginal Community Justice Panel and Dhelk Dja Family Violence.
Craig Leary, Director
Craig is a Gunditjmara man. Craig holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education. He is employed at Department of Education as the Koori Education Co-ordinator for the Loddon Campaspe area. Craig also held positions with Department of Health in senior roles and as a Senior Advisor and taught in government school. Craig has worked with the Aboriginal communities across the North-West of Victoria for over 30 years. Craig is a long-term member of BDAC.
Patrick Fagan, Director
Nyurra wurriyn, (how do you do)
I’m Patrick Fagan, a proud Wadawurrung Man, Chairperson of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) and a dedicated family man.
I live on Djaara country with my partner and our three girls. I work as the Cultural Heritage Engagement Office for the Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project at North Central CMA and also the Indigenous Facilitator, where I have worked since 2017. I worked with the Department of Environment Land Water Planning for 8 months (2019-20) on secondment on a state-wide Aboriginal Engagement position, improving engagement with Traditional Owners with the Biodiversity Response Plan team. Before the CMA I worked with Parks Victoria for 8 years as a Natural Resource Management Ranger and Authorised Officer.
I have a passion for working with Aboriginal communities continuing and supporting our strong connection to Country and strengthening our Culture for our future generations.
Koling wada-ngal (Let us walk together)
Stephen Korp (Korpy), Director
I’m a proud Wemba Wamba, Wurundjeri and Dja Dja Wurrung man
My current role is with DELWP as Program Manager Aboriginal Partnerships. My previous work role was with (DET) as a Koorie Education Coordinator.
I’m a board member of LAECG- Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, Mt Wycheproof Steering Committee.
Educating our Mob is very important to me, that is why I am involved in the Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group to help support our people in a better future. I also have an interest in caring for our country, that is why I work for DELWP so I can help support and managing the land and giving First People their voice for self-determination and to put Fire back in the landscape with Traditional fire with burning, training up our Aboriginal community to run Traditional fire.
Mental Health is also something important to me and hope to start up a yarning circle for mob.
I have a beautiful family wife, Nicolle, and we have three daughters Amy (19) Jordan (12) and Chelsea (10) . I was born in Melbourne but lived in Swan Hill until I moved to Bendigo 20 years ago. I am a proud Collingwood man!