Board of Directors

Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative is governed by a seven-member board elected by members. 

BOARD MEMBERS

Raquel Kerr, Chairperson

Racquel Kerr has been part of the BDAC board since 2016. She brings over 9
years of experience in Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and management, specialising
in identification, technical advice, negotiation and compliance. She was one of the
first appointed Aboriginal Heritage Officers under the amended Aboriginal
Heritage Act 2006 in 2017, placing legislative enforcement and compliance back
with Traditional Owners. Racquel is currently appointed to the Victorian
Aboriginal Heritage Council on a three year term. Her being on the BDAC board
has provided an outlet for her to engage with the wider Aboriginal Community in
a more holistic approach. As a Dja Dja Wurrung Tradtional Owner, Racquel is a
prominent and strong advocate for self-determination and empowerment
through education; and has recently stepped into the Project Co-ordinator role
for the Dja Dja Wurrung Recognition and Settlement Agreement and Joint
Management Plan at Parks Victoria.

Aunty Lyn Warren, Vice Chairperson 

Aunty Lyn is a proud Yorta Yorta-Wamba Wamba woman. She has been
with BDAC since the beginning, joining the Board in 2001. Aunty Lyn is
very involved in community and elder activities and believes that caring for
our people should always be a top priority.

Barry Fary, Treasurer

Barry joined the Board in 2014 and was the Chairperson for a number of
years. He is a proud Gunditjmara man, born in the Victorian town of
Portland. Barry has lived in Bendigo for more than 20 years, previously
working at Bendigo TAFE and assisting Koori students with their education
and pathways to employment. He is passionate about seeing Koori people
receive the best possible education and go on to gain meaningful
employment.

Natasha Garner, Public Officer

Tash is a Wiradjuri woman who grew up in Bendigo and lives locally with her family. Tash is an accredited mental health social worker with particular interest in working with parents with infants, children and adolescents. She has worked with the local mental health service sector since 2003 and previously worked at BDAC between 2008-2011. She has been with the local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service since 2011 where she currently works as the 0-12 Clinical Coordinator, as well as in private practice at Central Victorian Child Health as a Child and Adolescent Therapist since 2018. Tash has a particular interest in working with infants and is passionate about creating opportunities to optimise parent-infant mental health and attachment relationships. She has post-graduate qualifications in Parent-Infant Mental Health and chairs the local Parent Infant Mental Health Network, where she has been a member since 2005. Tash completes her Master in Healthcare Leadership mid-2020 and is passionate about enhancing health, social and emotional wellbeing for local families and developing supportive opportunities for youth wellbeing, engagement and connection in our community. 

Hazel Hudson, Director

Hazel joined the BDAC Board in 2015. Hazel is currently the Manager
Family Services at the Njernda Aboriginal Corporation and is a qualified
Accountant (CPA). Hazel is a Kamilaroi women who lived in Echuca/Moama
community since 7 years of age and has connection via children to Dja Dja
Wurrung and Yorta Yorta Clans and her extended family connections. Hazel
resided in Bendigo for 6 years during the 1980s and returned to Bendigo in
2013. Hazel is a qualified accountant who has worked for over 30 years in
Not-For-Profit organisation at a grass root level with and for Aboriginal
communities members. Hazel is passionate about working with and for
vulnerable Aboriginal children and families.

Paula Murray, Director

Paula joined the Board in 2014 and is the current publicity officer. She grew
up in Bendigo, but her family is from the Hawkesbury region in NSW and
she 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.